PROJECT DETAILS

Based on an Interview with Michael Vegh

About

The Haíɫzaqv Community Energy Plan is a community led energy plan that includes the voices of nearly 1000 community members on how to take action on climate change. The plan was led by the Heiltsuk Climate Action Team (HCAT). The plan uses data from local sources, enabling precise estimates on the community’s fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Research found that the two biggest contributors of fossil fuel emissions are coming from ocean transportation and vehicles. This data helped prioritize where to take action. 

Positive impacts and outcomes

The Haíɫzaqv Community Energy Plan set an amazing precedent in the community for a new level of engagement on climate change. The community shifted from not feeling empowered to take action on an issue as big as climate change, to understanding how to participate in climate resilience and climate change mitigation at a local level. The plan is backed by the community and seen as a major element of governance that aligns with Haíɫzaqv values.

Funding

The project was part of the Indigenous Off Diesel Initiative, through Impact Canada. “They wanted a community energy plan,” Michael explains. “And we could have hired a technical consultant to do it but we wanted to take this opportunity and create a much more comprehensive plan that could speak well beyond any single initiative. We wanted something that really created a path forward for us.” 

Challenges

The planning process was impacted by COVID-19, as the community engagement had to pivot to a virtual format, using an online group decision-making platform called Ethelo. Since there were technological literacy and accessibility challenges, younger community members were paid to assist people and fill out the survey for them. Gaining accurate data on community energy use was also a hurdle, as this information is not readily accessible. The HCAT gained relevant data through a request from BC Hydro as well as the local fuel company. This provided data on both the electricity consumed from the local dam, along with fossil fuel consumption and related emissions.

Community Climate Resilience

“Community energy plans play a role in climate resilience by creating an actionable path forward that our whole community is behind,” says Michael. Creating climate resilience is something that's going to require participation from everyone. The community was able to get a clear mandate from Haíɫzaqv members for what the plan should include. “Climate mitigation and climate adaptation go hand in hand,” says Michael. “The climate crisis can no longer be avoided, so this work is about how to live through it and avoid the worst of it.” Michael explains that in order to succeed, everyone must work together as a community, as a Nation, and as a species to create resilience in every part of life.

Next Steps

The community will work towards implementing the ten climate solutions outlined in the plan. The intent is for the whole community to be able to take climate action, and to ensure this is accessible for all. The community energy plan will be reviewed every five years, so that after actions are taken, there can be reflection on the work completed and the work that still needs to be done. 

Recommendations for other Indigenous communities hoping to do similar work

Build a team by finding people in the community that are passionate about this work. People want to be part of the solution, and creating a climate action team is one way to create solutions. Each Nation knows their unique needs and should undergo the deep engagement to collaboratively identify the path forward.