Sustainability Goals

Development and investment in Ladysmith should assist the Town in achieving a core set of sustainability goals including:
1. Reduce greenhouse gas and other air emissions.
2. Reduce fossil fuel energy consumption and shift to renewable energy.
3. Reduce potable water usage and manage wastewater efficiently including re-use.
4. Manage materials use to reduce or eliminate waste.
5. Protect and enhance the ecosystems and biodiversity locally, regionally, and globally.
6. Support a more sustainable food system, including increasing local food production, processing and consumption.
7. Provide stable, diverse and prosperous local economic opportunities; and
8. Create healthy communities and individuals.

Environmental Protection

To ensure protection of the natural environment consider utilizing the following guidelines and resources when designing a project in Ladysmith:

Site Profile Form Ministry of Environment Site Profile Guidance
Riparian Area Regulation Pamphlet Stormwater Planning Guidebook for British Columbia
The Biodiversity Atlas of British Columbia                     Guide to Airshed Planning in British Columbia
Guide to the Use of Intrinsic Aquifer Vulnerability Mapping
Best Practices for Raptor Conservation During Land Development in BC
Greening Your Title A Guide to Best Practices for Conservation Covenants 




Environmental Guidelines for Land Development in BC Develop With Care 2014.

Energy Efficiency

The Town of Ladysmith is committed to being part of the solution to reduce the community's impact on climate change and to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Town of Ladysmith completed a Community Energy Plan to identify ways to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions both throughout the community and from municipal operations. The Community Energy Plan is consistent with the Town’s commitment to the Climate Action Charter and supports the Province’s goal of achieving a 33% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020. The community’s GHG reduction targets are:

  • 5% reduction in community GHG emissions by 2012 from 2007 levels.
  • 15% reduction in community GHG emissions by 2016 from 2007 levels.

  • 33% reduction in community GHG emissions by 2020 from 2007 levels.

The Community Energy and GHG Inventory 2007 (CEEI) for Ladysmith indicates that in 2007 on road transportation was the source of 81.4% (30,953 tonnes) of GHG emissions; buildings was the source of 14.8% (5,616 tonnes) of GHG emissions; and solid waste was the source of 4% (1,468 tonnes) of GHG emissions. To view the most current CEEI information for Ladysmith visit: Ministry of Environment or ceei_2012_ladysmith_town

To assist with reducing the ‘on-road transportation’ source of GHG emissions the Town of Ladysmith completed the Ladysmith Bicycle Plan. The Bicycle Plan provides recommendations for a connected spine of high quality bicycle facilities to encourage bicycle trips and to increase cyclist safety in the community.

You can be part of the solution to help the community achieve its GHG reduction targets. There are many resources available to assist with designing and building a development project that is energy efficient, the following links may be of interest to you: 

LiveSmart BC   BC Hydro   BuiltGreen Canada   Ashrae   Canada Green Home Guide