Vancouver is moving ahead aggressively with its climate change contributions to be a model for other cities to emulate.

The city has already made progress in reaching its goals of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020. Vancouver Council heard that in September 2009 two-thirds of the actions to address environmental sustainability were already underway, with more to follow. 

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson launched the Greenest City initiative in February 2009 and created a Greenest City Team to become the greenest city by 2020 to address Vancouver’s environmental concerns. City staff and team members are concentrating on 3 main areas:

• jobs and the economy
• greener communities
• human health.

"This action team will ignite the city’s efforts to enhance sustainability and make real progress on ‘greening’ Vancouver,” said Mayor Robertson. “I’m thrilled that such experienced and talented people are willing to step up and volunteer to help Vancouver meet our environmental challenges. This team will also develop strategies to make Vancouver a leader in creating green-collar jobs. Our economic recovery needs to embrace the opportunity – and the necessity - of environmental sustainability.”  (Reported in a February 2009 city media release.)

Vancouver sustainability actions 
Some priority actions include:

• Working with greenhouse gas producers to improve efficiencies and switch to renewable energy
• Developing a carbon neutral building strategy with renewable energy on-site and district energy systems
• Developing a green economic development strategy by creating jobs through city-led initiatives.
• Implementing city-wide composting with expanded organics collection program and food waste diversion
• Green jobs pilot project
• Promotion of tap water
• Adaptive LED street light project
• Support for electric vehicles

Citizen participation
Citizens are being invited to take part through actions such as:

• online blogs and forums
• gatherings and events
• supporting local community organizations
• finding out about tips and resources to go green in neighbourhoods
• contacting greenestcity@vancouver.ca with ideas
• checking out the Greenest City website
   

2010 Olympics

With the international eyes of the world on Vancouver’s hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the city has the opportunity to become a model for city greening plans. Olympic host cities are increasingly receiving public pressure to display environmentally sustainable practices and create Green Olympics.