Environmental Coordinator – Environment / Long Range Planning
City of Prince George

Jocelyn White has been working as an Environmental Coordinator for the City of Prince George for four years.  She graduated from the University of Northern British Columbia with a BSc in Wildlife Biology, and is a Registered Professional Biologist.  Jocelyn has been involved for many years with a broad range of environmental stewardship activities including fisheries, wildlife and air quality monitoring, research and extension.

“The City of Prince George,” states Jocelyn, “has been active in climate change mitigation for the past several years, mostly through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCP).  It is a relatively simple program – measure your emissions, set a reduction target, develop a plan, implement, and monitor.  The City is currently at the “implement” stage for both corporate and community emissions.  Our main focus has been on the City side – ‘get your house in order before expecting change from others’.  We have been successful making reductions in numerous areas – building retrofits, anti-idling, biodiesel, microturbines at our wastewater treatment plant, and more recently a corporate energy awareness team to promote reductions with co-workers.  It is not always easy convincing others to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but when you relate it to energy savings and ultimately financial savings it is an easier sell. “

“The City was recently awarded funding through the Community Action on Energy and Emissions (CAEE) Gold funding which will help with reducing community emissions.  The two projects planned under this program include developing an incentive program for home builders to build ‘greener’ homes and to look at a pilot energy labeling program for properties listed for sale.  The residential sector accounts for approximately 12% of our community emissions and our hope is to reduce that number by reducing the energy needs of new homes and by promoting existing home retrofits.”

“In addition to climate change programs, the City is working hard to improve our air quality and recently completed a report that overlaps these program areas, and also identifies where they may work against each other so that informed decisions can be made.  Efforts can then be focused on those initiatives that benefit both.”

  

City of Prince George Awards related to climate change:  Provincial LiveSmart Green City Award 2008; Community Action on Energy & Emissions Gold Grant.

City of Prince George climate change:  http://www.city.pg.bc.ca/city_services/environment/climatechange/