On the most ironic of days: Kamloops council unanimously approved a new guiding document called the Community Climate Action Plan.

The plan has taken years to build, and was approved a week ago, on June 29, on what was the hottest day in Kamloops history, when the mercury hit 47.3 degrees Celsius.

Councillor Arjun Singh commented on the irony during last week’s council meeting.

“If I reflect on the weather today – which is very strange to have this come today – I would say that, if I can use an Indigenous paradigm, our ancestors are talking to us. And also generations that are coming are talking to us. And they’re saying that this council really has an opportunity to really lean in and act, and be leaders and actually create a legacy this community. Which is quite substantial.”

The climate action plan calls for local greenhouse gas emissions to be cut by 80 per cent by the year 2050, compared to what emissions were in 2007. The plan, as it stands right now, has action items to achieve a 70% reduction with the remaining 10% to be found throughout the course of the 29 year timeline.

Sustainability services supervisor Glen Cheetham says this plan has eight “big moves” which he says are achievable. “As we know, the urgency to act has been long known. And this isn’t Kamloops’ first effort to address climate change.”

Cheetham says transportation, buildings and waste going into the landfills are the biggest drivers of greenhouse gas emissions locally. He says transportation far and away creates the most air pollution, at 66 per cent, while buildings account for 29 per cent.