Greenest City 2020

  • Cement truck
  • Salt Building
  • Mural
  • Clothesline

Greenest City 2020- Greenest City 2020 Action Plan

Imagine...
by 2020 Vancouver will be the Greenest City in the world.

Together, we will create a more resilient, healthy and prosperous city.
We set out a clear path towards a bright green future for our community and our planet. Find out how. Read the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan. PDF (7mb)

Along with other cities around the world, Vancouver is at a critical turning point. The growing world population, increases in migration to cities, climate uncertainty, rising fossil fuel prices, and shifting economic opportunities call for decisive action and innovation.

Between now and 2020, there will be a lot to learn and do to achieve the Greenest City goals:

It’s up to everyone to do their part, to rethink, re-evaluate and re-imagine the way Vancouver works and how we lead our lives” Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Team, Vancouver 2020: a Bright Green Future
  1. Green Economy PDF (700kb)
  2. Climate Leadership PDF (558kb)
  3. Green Buildings PDF (711kb)
  4. Green Transportation PDF (534kb)
  5. Zero Waste PDF (731kb)
  6. Access to Nature PDF (680kb)
  7. Lighter Footprint PDF (927kb)
  8. Clean Water PDF (665kb)
  9. Clean Air PDF (808kb)
  10. Local Food PDF (764kb)

Introduction PDF (1mb) Conclusion PDF (612kb) Priority Actions Overview PDF (84kb)

The decisions we make every day about how we move around the city, what we buy or eat, and how we deal with our waste means that Vancouver residents currently use far more than our fair share of the Earth’s resources.

Fortunately, there are many solutions. We can address climate change and other environmental challenges while creating green jobs, strengthening our community, and improving the well-being of our citizens.

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New $2 million Greenest City Fund

On April 17, 2012, the City partnered with the Vancouver Foundation to create the Greenest City Fund. The $2 million fund will provide support for community projects over the next four years.

The Fund will launch April 25. Find out more

Vancouver has proven that a city can grow and prosper and still become a Green Capital.

We are set to bring our community-based greenhouse gas emissions down to 5% below 1990 levels, even as our population has grown by over 27% and jobs have increased by over 18%.

We are developing neighbourhood-scale renewable energy projects and the implementing the greenest building code in North America.

Vancouver is meeting the green transportation challenge by creating compact neighbourhoods with easy access to work, shopping and recreation. And we have shifted investment to walking, cycling and transit infrastructure instead of building new roads.

FCM video about Greenest City

Find out more about the Action Plan and why the City won the Federation of Community Municipal Sustainable Community Award. Watch video