Abstract Book

1A: Sustainable Transport and Development in Metropolitan Vancouver
City Of Vancouver - Becoming The World's Greenest City (34)
L. Cole; City of Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
In 2009, Vancouver’s Mayor created the Greenest City Action Team, a panel of local
sustainability leaders tasked with determining how Vancouver could become the greenest
city in the world by 2020. The team recommended 10 ambitious long-term goals in the
following areas: green economy, climate leadership, green buildings, green
transportation, zero waste, access to nature, ecological footprint, clean water, clean air
and local food. Each goal also has an associated measurable, aggressive target to achieve
by 2020.
In February 2010, Vancouver's City Council approved the long term goals and staff are
currently developing action plans for achieving these goals and determining how best to
measure progress. Recognizing that a strategic realignment of City priorities, resources,
and related work programs will be required, the process involves a higher level of
collaboration and partnership between the City Management Team and staff, partner
organizations, businesses and residents than most strategic planning exercises undertaken
to date. By virtue of this approach, the aim is to have sustainability permanently
embedded in each department throughout the organization, fostering an understanding of
how sustainability relates to everyday operations, and facilitating interdepartmental
communication and collaboration toward the common goals.
The goals address a broad range of issues that are fundamental to community health and
sustainability - clean water, clean air, waste reduction, local food, etc. Meeting the goals
will require strong citizen support to enact the municipal policies that will be developed
as part of this process as well as willingness to adjust personal and community behaviour.
Climate Leadership In Vancouver (124)
M. Hartman; City of Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Vancouver has proven that a city can grow and prosper and still be a global leader in
addressing climate change. Since 1990, Vancouver’s population has increased by 27%
and jobs by 18%, yet we are on track to meet Kyoto targets. Vancouver also has the
lowest per capita emissions of any major city in North America.
In order to address the critical issue of climate change, in 2003 City Council asked staff
to develop an action plan, in cooperation with a diverse group of local stakeholders
including; educators, builders, environmentalists, corporate leaders and government.
Based on recommendations from this group, the City created both a corporate (for
emissions from municipal operations) and a community climate action plan.
The plans focus on priority areas including; energy efficiency (through building codes,
home renovations, retrofits for institutional facilities, retrofits for large commercial
buildings, low carbon vehicle options, green energy, active transportation and community
engagement.
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