Climate Protection Action Plans

In 2003 Council asked for expert advice from a diverse group of people who were experts on climate change. The group formed the Cool Vancouver Taskforce. Based on recommendations of the Taskforce the City formed climate change goals. The goals became the Corporate Climate Change Action Plans (goals for City operations) and the Community Climate Change Action Plans (goals for community operations). Both the City and community targets exceed the established global targets set out by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The goals and action plans for reaching the goals were presented to Council and approved on March 15, 2005.

Corporate Goal

For City operations and facilities: To reduce green house gas emissions (GHG's) by 20% from 1990 levels by 2010

Community Goal

For engaging residents: To reduce community green house gas emissions (GHG's) 6% from 1990 levels by 2012

The community plan outlines six overarching priorities:
  1. Home renovations for energy efficiency
  2. Energy efficient retro-fits for institutional facilities
  3. Energy efficient retro-fits for large commercial buildings
  4. Bio-diesel fuel blends
  5. Efficient driver training and anti-idling
  6. Transportation alternatives.

The initiatiaves are expected to result in 229,000 tonnes of emission reductions and bring Vancouver 50 per cent closer to meeting the community goal.

The corporate plan outlines eight overarching priorities:
  1. Energy efficient retro-fits for facilities
  2. Green design for new and replacement civic buildings
  3. Green energy and sustainable dense development
  4. Active and public transportation
  5. Fuel-efficient fleets and fleet management
  6. Energy efficient street/park lighting and traffic control signals
  7. Corporate waste reduction and landfill gas utilization
  8. Educating people to curb energy demands

The Community Plan
The Climate-Friendly City: A Corporate Climate Change Action Plan for the City of Vancouver (April 2004)
Council report
The Corporate Climate Change Action Plan 2004 Annual Report to City Council.

Taskforce

The Cool Vancouver Taskforce was assembled by City Council to provide advice on a climate change action plan in March 2003. The Task Force brought together educators, builders, environmentalists, corporate leaders and government, among others. It was an opportunity to connect government, industry, non-governmental organizations and residents to one common goal: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver. Based on the recommendations of the task force the City formed climate protection goals.

The individuals on the Taskforce were from a wide range of stakeholder groups in the City of Vancouver and the region.

The Community and Corporate Climate Change Action plans were developed through the work of the Task Force.

The Cool Vancouver Task Force was made up of the following participants:

  • Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA)
  • Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)
  • BC Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection
  • Science World
  • Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
  • Terasen Gas
  • Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
  • Vancouver Board of Trade
  • BC Hydro
  • Vancouver Economic Development Commission (VEDC)
  • SFU School of Resources & Environmental Management
  • Environment Canada
  • David Suzuki Foundation
  • Vancouver City Planning Commission (VCPC)
  • Urban Development Institute (UDI)
  • Greater Vancouver R*egional District (GVRD)
  • Tides Canada Foundation
  • Vancouver School Board (VSB)
  • UBC Sustainable Development Research Institute
  • Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (C.I.R.S.)
  • TransLink
  • Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)
  • Sinclair Environmental Solutions
  • Molson Canada
  • VanCity
  • Fraser Basin Council
  • Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
  • Vancouver Library Board
  • City of Vancouver staff