School District 69’s annual carbon action report is showing a downward trend in emissions.
Presented at the district’s Tuesday, May 23, board meeting, the report details the energy conservation work the district took last year, and the change in emissions from 2011 to 2016.
“The trend (in annual carbon emissions) continues down, which is a very positive thing for us,” said Ron Amos, secretary-treasurer for the district.
From 2014 to 2016, the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions created by the district annually has gone from 1,953 tonnes to 1,850. That includes emissions or equivalents from buildings, the bus fleet and paper use, all of which show a downward trend since 2011.
Work the district undertook in 2016 included replacing a bus with one that runs on propane, installing high-efficiency boilers at Kwalikum Secondary School, Nanoose Bay Elementary and Bowser Elementary, and improving the efficiency of False Bay School by installing solar panels and replacing insulation and cladding.
“We also continue to work with local groups to investigate alternative energy solutions, which may further reduce or eliminate the use of a diesel generator in the future,” reads the report.
The district also has plans for solar panel installation at Kwalikum Secondary School for the upcoming school year, according to its annual facilities grant expenditure plan.