IN THIS ISSUE

Last month, we shared our annual report with Council on progress in our two strategic plans to cut carbon pollution and prepare for climate hazards: the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), which aims to cut carbon pollution in half by 2030, and the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS), which responds to climate change-related hazards including extreme heat, poor air quality, drought, extreme rainfall and sea level rise.

Here are some big wins from the past year: 

• Climate action is saving money and creating jobs: Energy efficiency upgrades and improvements to support walking, cycling and transit saved Vancouverites $16.3 million in 2024, compared to 2007. The number of green jobs has also doubled in the past decade.
• We’ve reduced carbon pollution by 18% compared to 2007 levels, all while the City population grew by nearly 20% and the economy doubled. 
• Climate resilience is supporting the health of our communities: We operated over 40 public cooling centres and distributed 1,200 cool kits and 270 air cleaners to protect residents most vulnerable to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. 
• Natural climate solutions are preparing us for climate change: Green rainwater infrastructure like the St. George Rainway manages rainfall to respond to extreme rain events and reduce local temperatures during hot summer days. We’re also supporting Tsleil-Waututh Nation to replant kelp beds in the Burrard inlet and prevent shoreline erosion to prepare for sea level rise. 

YOUR TURN 

Learn more how the City and its partners are working to meet our climate goals in our presentation to Council. Check out our CEAP and CCAS dashboards for more details.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY, ADAPTATION 

Spanish Banks has a new revitalized stream and green space!

Once buried beneath a parking lot, Canyon Creek in Spanish Banks is now home to a naturalized environment, with a new viewing deck, a multi-use path and 0.4 hectares of habitat for birds, aquatic species, native plants and pollinators. 

This helps our city prepare for climate change impacts by: 

• Managing rainfall better – the creek provides a natural path for rainwater to flow, helping us prepare for climate-related extreme rain events. 
• Cooling our city – trees and water help lower local temperatures during extreme heat events. 
• Creating more green space – plants, trees and soil absorb and store carbon pollution, improving local air quality for all. 

YOUR TURN 

Visit Canyon Creek this summer and explore all the ecological benefits that this stunning daylighted greenspace provides us all.

Grab your bike, your crew and your brightest lights – Bike the Night is rolling in on September 13.

Join HUB Cycling for a magical 10km night ride through the city, packed with glowing bikes and vibrant energy with the cycling community. Whether you're 5 or 75, this fun-filled family-friendly ride is for everyone. Enjoy live music, food trucks, bike decorating, tune-ups, an e-cargo bike showcase and more.

Light up the night and celebrate climate-friendly active transportation. Every cycling trip you take helps contribute to our Climate Emergency Action Plan goal of making two-thirds of trips in Vancouver by active transportation and transit.

YOUR TURN

Bike the Night is on Saturday, September 13, from 5to 9:30pm – get your free tickets before they run out.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY

The Vancouver Public Library is wheeling to your community this summer!

VPL’s BiblioBike is bringing the library to community events around the city all summer long. Powered by people, the BiblioBike delivers services such as library cards, books and popular programs like Family Storytimes.
 
The custom cargo trike was built by Icicle Tricycles and has an electric motor that empowers library staff to travel sustainably while creating greater access to library services. Nearly 40% of our local carbon pollution comes from burning gas and diesel in vehicles – choosing climate-friendly active transportation helps to reduce our local emissions.

YOUR TURN

Find out when the BiblioBike is rolling to an event near you, or submit a request to have VPL’s BiblioBike at your community event.