Vancouver Canada has the lowest per capita greenhouse gas emissions of any major city in North America and is on target to meet or exceed Kyoto Agreement targets, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says. “Vancouver continues to show leadership in Canada and North America on greenhouse gas reductions,” the Mayor says.
“By making smart decisions for our future, whether it’s the many energy efficient features of the Olympic Village project, our approach to land-use planning, or the city’s transportation options, we are going to meet our Kyoto targets and in the process set the standard for major North American cities."
Vancouver GHG emissions have been reduced by 11 per cent from their peak in 2000 to 2.7 million tonnes per year, according to a December 2009 media release. The city is on track to meet Kyoto targets for 2012 of 2.5 million tonnes.
In contrast, Canada’s federal government refuses to even acknowledge the Kyoto targets and at the Copenhagen climate change conference has continued to set Canadian targets for 2020 only 3% below 1990 levels. The province of British Columbia targets for 2020 are for emissions to fall 14% below 1990 levels.
Vancouver is not shy about bragging about its “greenest city plan” in the hopes it could become a model for others to emulate. The city also reports that “its own operations have seen emissions reduced by 33 per cent by programs such as building retrofits, construction of significantly more efficient buildings and improved use of Smart cars and other fuel-efficient vehicles.”
Vancouver citizens have also been a major part of this larger environmental change through participation in expanded recycling programs, more biking, use of public transit, Power Smart initiatives, appliance rebate programs, composting and community organic gardening. Tree preservation and pesticide bylaws have also contributed to greater city green awareness and action.
Long after international and national leaders discuss climate change goals at Copenhagen and beyond, Vancouver aims to be carbon neutral in its own operations and facilities by 2012.
Comments
How many times can Gregor Robertson use the word 'Green' in a sentence? I for one am getting a little tired of his rhetoric.
So Richard Branson is going to help Gregor make Vancouver the "greenest city in the world". That is a noble action and should be applauded. A few questions need to be asked. Does Richard Branson know that Vancouver's garbage goes into the world's "globally unique" Burns Bog? What has Gregor done at the Metro Vancouver board level to stop the destruction of the Lower Mainland's bread basket in Delta and Burns Bog by the South Fraser Perimeter Road? It will only feed more cars into Vancouver.
Thank god we live by the ocean where westerly winds dispense of our smog from our cities, otherwise we would not be as green as everyone thinks we are.
If Richard Branson want to effectively fight climate change and Gregor Robertson wants Vancouver to be the "Greenest City" they both need to take a closer look at what is happening to Burns Bog. Burns Bog alone stores 6 million tonnes of carbon, playing a significant role in reducing climate change. Destroying this ecological treasure in Delta releases emmissions equivalent to 5.4 million cars, yet our government leaders continue to allow its destruction by dumping garbage into the Vancouver Landfill (located on Burns Bog), and going ahead with the South Fraser Perimeter Road.
Perhaps, Bev, you could challenge their intentions by questioning how they plan to address these issues. Vancouver can not be the greenest city with one of its most valuable ecological resources being destroyed.
Check out www.burnsbog.org for more info
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!