Annual climate update celebrates some success, while recognizing more is needed to meet targets
We made important progress on climate in 2022 and we know climate action is vital to make our city more equitable, healthy, and affordable.
Doug Smith, deputy general manager of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability
Today, Council received the annual update on the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) status update on the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS).
“We made important progress on climate in 2022 and we know climate action is vital to make our city more equitable, healthy and affordable,” says Doug Smith, deputy general manager of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability.
Some of the successes from 2022
- Approval of several plans to help more people live closer to their daily needs including Vancouver Plan, Broadway Plan, and the Secured Rental Policy.
- New infrastructure to support active transportation, including upgraded sidewalks, curb ramps, and all ages and abilities bikeways.
- Addition of 4 DC Fast-Chargers, putting every resident within a 10-minute drive of one, and 12 Level-2 connections.
- Approval of:
- Zero emissions heating and hot water system requirements for all new buildings and mandatory cooling and air filtration for new multi-unit residential buildings.
- The first regulations in Canada to limit carbon emissions from large existing buildings and first whole-building embodied carbon building code requirements in North America.
- New street trees planted along the 600-800 blocks of Hastings Street as a first step toward reducing the heat island effect in this area.
- Investment in green rainwater infrastructure including the completion of Woodland and Second Ave and progress on St George Rainway and Tatlow Creek projects.
While we made meaningful progress on CEAP actions over the last year, there is more work to be done to meet Vancouver’s ambitious climate targets. In 2022, Council directed staff to bring forward accelerated and additional actions on our climate targets as part of the Vancouver Plan.
Background
CEAP is Vancouver’s roadmap to reduce the city’s carbon pollution by 50% by 2030. This ambitious target aligns with those called for by global climate scientists and the commitments made by the Province of BC and Government of Canada. CEAP focuses on the top sources of local carbon pollution to dramatically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the transition of residential heating and hot water to renewable energy. CEAP actions are a balance of regulation, pricing and supports, and advocacy for residents, business, and industry.
Residents are encouraged to make personal changes to help us reach our targets through awareness, access to necessary infrastructure, and rebates. Similarly, we also encourage and require businesses and industry to make much needed changes through a combination of improved infrastructure, regulation and pricing.
Our CCAS focuses on preparing Vancouver for predicted climate impacts; more frequent and longer extreme heat events, poor air quality events, more frequent and intense rain fall, and sea level rise and associated flooding. Proactive climate action prioritizes health and safety, future-proofs Vancouver’s infrastructure and reduces future costs, creates connected communities, reduces inequities, protects and enhances our natural surroundings, and strengthens our economy.
Equity is central to the commitments and actions in CEAP and CCAS. Data demonstrates that the burdens and impacts of climate change are not experienced equally by all residents, locally or globally, because of longstanding inequities that persist today.
Council also received for information a Climate Justice Charter and directed staff to apply an equity lens and our Equity Framework in any work on climate strategy and initiatives.