Draft - Official Community Plan - Surrey 2050

Appendix 3 – Surrey 2050

Goal 3: Protect the Environment, Address Climate Change, and Respond to Natural Hazards Targets

Policy with Target

Applicable OCP Policies

Supplementary Information

3.2.7 a) identify local ecosystem protection and tree canopy cover targets, and demonstrate how these targets will contribute to the regional targets in Action 3.2.1: • increase the area of lands protected for nature from 40% to 50% of the region’s land base by the year 2050; and

D 7.1.9 Pursue opportunities to partner with other levels of government, neighbouring jurisdictions, private land interests and community groups to protect lands through other means, in such areas as: a. Sensitive ecosystems; b. Critical habitat for species at risk; c. Forested escarpments along the Fraser River; and d. Forested floodplains.

The protection of Green Infrastructure Network lands supports and contributes towards the regional targets to increase the area of lands protected for nature.

OBJECTIVE D7.3: Protect and address gaps in the tree canopy.

increase the total regional tree canopy cover within the Urban Containment Boundary from 32% to 40% by the year 2050.

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D7.3.1 Implement Surrey’s Urban Forest Management Strategy by: a. Ensuring adequate space and growing medium is provided; b. Protecting and retaining mature forest stands, significant trees, and other important natural features; c. Maximizing shade tree coverage on City lands and rights-of-way; d. Working towards a 30% tree canopy cover target (excluding the ALR) by 2038, and e. Ensuring equitable canopy coverage across the city. D7.3.2 Regularly review and update Surrey's Tree Protection Bylaw to ensure current best practices are applied in tree protection and retention. D6.1.2 Work towards transitioning to zero-carbon and resilient City assets with the goal of absolute zero corporate (municipal) greenhouse gas emissions before 2050. D6.2.1 Partner with senior governments, industries, organizations, businesses, and residents to work towards reducing Surrey’s community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from non-agricultural and non industrial activities, with the goal of achieving a 45% reduction in GHG emissions below 2010 levels by 2030 and to net zero before 2050. D6.2.3 Support the advancement to zero-carbon energy in all buildings by: a. Advocating to third party utilities and the province for affordable zero-carbon energy ;

3.3.7 a) identify how local land use and transportation policies will contribute to meeting the regional greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 45% below 2010 levels by the year 2030 and achieving a carbon neutral region by the year 2050;

In 2019, Surrey City Council declared a climate emergency and subsequently adopted new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets informed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s guidance to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Sur rey’s GHG emission reduction targets align with regional, provincial and national targets to reduce emissions by 45% below 2010 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero before 2050. The actions the City will take, together with other levels of government and partners, to reach the GHG

Regional Context Statement | 3