Jaime Webbe

The main focus of my climate work has been at the international level. For 7 years I was the program lead on nature and climate change at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). I served two years as the global coordinator for the UN Environment Programme, UN-REDD team (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries). I then wrapped up my UN career as a Regional Manager for the technology mechanism of the UN Climate Convention (the Climate Technology Centre and Network).

Also at the UN Climate Convention, I led multiple session of the Technical Expert Meetings on Adaptation, specifically on financing adaptation and building resilience of at risk communities. If you would like to see some examples please check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAg8GOicRTs or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kASR9JuART0

Since returning to Canada I led the Government of Canada funded project, Climate Action Africa, which provides technical assistance to local communities in 34 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. I also serve as the environmental peacebuilding specialist on the Government of Canada funded Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project, an ecosystem-based adaptation project in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

Here in Canada, the main focus of my climate advocacy has been on youth engagement. I ran a Model UN on implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples including a climate justice component and supported Canadian youth delegations to three Conferences of the Parties to the UN Climate Convention.

There are three main actions I would take. First I would enhance the protection and restoration of our green spaces which serve both as a carbon sink and as an important buffer against the negative impacts of climate change. To achieve this I would work with both district staff and the amazing NGO's active in West Vancouver to identify at risk ecosystems and plan partnerships for their protection.

I would also address heat and wildfire smoke risks, especially to seniors, through encouraging the installation of energy-efficient air conditioning in our purpose built rental units. This is especially important in West Van as almost 80% of our purpose built rental units were constructed prior to 1980 and, as such, have insufficient air filtration and cooling.

Finally, I would assess climate risk to infrastructure and proposed capital investments to ensure that the District isn't engaging in projects with a high climate risk. This is especially important as recent budgets have been withdrawing from reserves, thereby increasing the likelihood of future levies and tax increases from climate and other threats to assets.

I have already spoken to Federal MP's on this matter and have heard that the Federal Government is exploring options that would increase the size of ships in order to ensure that the number of ships doesn't increase significantly. If elected, I would continue to work with Federal counterparts to better understand the details of this plan and ensure that any support provided by the Federal Government is aligned with the interests of West Vancouver.

As much of my career required negotiating agreement among and between different levels of government, I am keen to put my skills to use for West Van.