The Town of Gibsons has been recognized as a leader in sustainable planning and development by the Community Energy Association (CEA), which honoured the Town on Thursday with an energy and climate action award for community planning and development.
The award was presented to Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk, during the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver, by the Honourable John Yap, Minister of State for Climate Action, and Richard White, co-chair of the CEA. The award celebrates the Town's sustainable initiatives as included in the Upper Gibsons Neighbourhood Plan and the geo-exchange district energy system.
"We are committed to create a unique and dynamic energy-smart community and the Upper Gibsons geo-exchange utility is just one example of how we will achieve this objective," said Janyk in a news release.
"The Town truly appreciates the recognition that the honour of receiving CEA's award provides."
The Upper Gibsons Neighbourhood Plan incorporates guidelines for the conservation of energy, water and land; promotes alternate forms of transportation and social interactions; and allows for a wide cross-section of occupants in terms of age, incomes and stages of life. The planned geo-exchange district energy system - the first of its kind in North America - will capture renewable energy from heat exchangers in the ground on municipally owned green space. The system will pump heat from the ground to residential and commercial buildings.
The energy and climate action awards are organized annually by the CEA in partnership with the province, UBCM and BC Hydro. The awards celebrate energy efficiency and renewable energy as built into the design of a community from its density and land-use patterns to transportation options, buildings and infrastructure.
Earlier this year, the Town was also recognized as a finalist in the 13th International Awards for Liveable Com-munities (LivCom). LivCom is endorsed by the United Nations environment programme and is the only global event concerned with the promotion of International Best Practice relating to the management of the local environment.
The finals occur Oct. 8 to 12 in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk will attend.
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