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Village Action on Climate Change

This page was last reviewed on May 20, 2026.

By signing on to the BC Climate Action Charter in 2010, the Village of Cumberland committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the community, to becoming carbon neutral, and to create a complete, compact and energy-efficient community.

Climate action is embedded within all aspects of Village work and within both high-level strategic policy and day-to-day operational plans.

Goals and actions for climate adaptation and mitigation are included in the Official Community Plan to help guide land use development in a way that is more sustainable and better adapted to the anticipated effects of climate change. New infrastructure projects, such as the Wastewater Upgrades Project, are designed to be resilient to future impacts of climate change.

Some actions are best taken at the regional level with the Comox Valley Regional District. Regional plans for solid waste management, transit, active transportation, parks, recreation facilities, and air quality also prioritize climate action. The Village works closely with the CVRD on these initiatives.

Climate Action Plan 2024

The 2024 Climate Action Plan includes policies and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the resilience of our natural and built infrastructure.

The Climate Action Plan outlines how the Village of Cumberland will respond to the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increasing resilience. The Plan also informs the Official Community Plan (OCP) adopted in 2026. Background data for the Climate Action Plan included:

  • Analyzing sources of municipal and community emissions and climate change risks.
  • Developing emissions reduction targets and climate action goals for 2030, 2040 and 2050.
  • Identifying strategies and actions that the Village and community can take to increase resilience and reduce emissions.

View the plan on the Plans, Reports and Studies page.

Corporate and Community Climate Action

The Climate Action Plan includes actions to reduce corporate emissions and prepare Village infrastructure for the impacts of climate change. The Plan also outlines where the Village can influence emissions reductions in the community, and help prepare residents for the impacts of climate change.

Highlights of planned projects in 2026 and 2027:

  • A Tree Bylaw to manage tree protection on private land
  • Adoption of the Zero Energy Step Code with accelerated step requirements
  • Municipal Green Fleet Policy
  • Cumberland Forest Land Strategy with consideration of ecological restoration opportunities to increase resilience from wildfire and drought related risks
  • Perseverance Watershed Initiative with the primary goal of planning for a resilient community drinking watershed

Past and ongoing climate action includes:

  • Switch from gas powered to electric or low emissions equipment for municipal operations where possible.
  • Expansion of the Wildland-Urban Interface development permit area for FireSmart development in 2026.
  • Adopted standard requirement for electric vehicle charging in multi-unit residential buildings in 2026
  • Exploration of micro-hydro energy
  • Exploration of geothermal energy system through mine water geo-exchange
  • Participating in the Home Energy Navigator Program
  • Participating in exploration of more electric vehicle charging stations
  • Partnership with Cumberland Community Forest Society for the annual Community Tree Planting Day
  • High performance wastewater lagoon upgrade was commissioned in 2026 and enhances treatment, restores natural flow conditions to a degraded wetland, improves habitat, and is designed to be resilient to climate change.
  • Cumberland is a regional leader in enabling compact growth. Secondary suites have been allowed in most single family dwellings for many years, and in 2016, accessory dwelling units were allowed in the R1-A zone within a short walking distance to the Village core. In 2026, the new Zoning Bylaw now allows up to 4 dwellings in the R-1 zone.
  • Most new commercial and industrial development is required to be solar ready, include covered bicycle parking and electric vehicle plug-ins, and include water conservation measures in site design and landscaping.
  • Transportation Master Plan includes a focus on active transportation to achieve a shift away from vehicle travel.
  • Restriction on wood burning appliances in new development were adopted in 2018 to help improve air quality and reduced emissions.
  • There are two public EV charging stations at the Visitor Centre, four in the downtown core, and many charging stations have been installed at business and accessory dwelling units since the requirement came into effect in 2017.
  • Consumption-based water billing began in 2014 after Village-wide installation of water meters. This reduced significantly reduced drinking water consumption and alleviated capacity concerns in the water system so that the Village is more resilient to drought conditions.
  • Parkland acquisition and restoration projects in Village parkland to enhance biodiversity and tree retention.

Climate change is considered in all Village projects and decision, large and small. This page is just a selection of the more notable actions.

Climate Action Program Reporting

Each year, the Village completes a provincial report and survey for the previous year to the Province of BC. The Village also provides these reports to the community:

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