Worker in a safety vest and hard hat installing or servicing an outdoor heat pump unit.

Vancouver's Climate Progress: 2025 Highlights

July 22 2025 –

Today, the City of Vancouver shared an update on work over the past year to create a more sustainable and climate-resilient city through the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS). 

Highlights from 2025

  • Climate action creates jobs and saves money: Vancouver has long been known for its green brand. Over the past decade, the number of green jobs has more than doubled in Vancouver, according to research by the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre. Further, Vancouver residents saved $16.5M in energy costs in 2023 compared to 2007, in part due to City of Vancouver driven energy efficiency upgrades and infrastructure improvements to support walking, cycling and transit. 
  • Progress in reducing carbon pollution: Since 2007, Vancouver has achieved an 18% reduction in carbon pollution – a notable accomplishment, particular given the City’s population grew by nearly 20% and the economy almost doubled over the same period. This reduction in emissions is largely due to improvements in building efficiency and shifting to more renewable energy, along with enabling more trips by walking, cycling and transit.  
  • Preparing for a changing climate: The City experienced several extreme weather events in recent years, underscoring the importance of preparing for climate-related hazards now. Last summer, the City operated over 40 public cooling centres and distributed 1,200 Cool Kits and 270 Air Cleaners to protect residents most vulnerable to extreme heat. 
  • Equity in climate action: Earlier this year, a retrofit project at Moreland Kennedy House, a seniors’ residence in Kitsilano was launched by Brightside Community Homes Foundation. The NRRG program, funded by the City and administered by BC Non-Profit Housing Association, provided funding and support toward this project. The upgrades will include heat pumps, better windows and improved insulation. Once complete, the project is expected to reduce carbon pollution by 97% and lower operating costs by 23%. It will also provide essential cooling for seniors during extreme heat events and air filtration during smoke events.

Looking forward, City staff will be bringing forward a number of climate-related reports to Council over the next year that will support further carbon pollution reduction and help Vancouver residents prepare for more frequent and severe climate change events. Upcoming work includes:

  • Improvements to the City’s tree protection by-law.
  • Incentives to encourage lower embodied carbon emissions using approaches like mass timber and low-carbon concrete for new construction.
  • A new Ecological Land-Use Plan as part of the city-wide official development plan, to better protect and restore ecosystems.

To learn more about how the City and its climate actions partners are bringing Vancouver closer towards meeting our climate goals, please visit: https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2025-annual-climate-report-presentation.pdf (9.7 MB)

Background

The City of Vancouver is advancing two key climate plans: the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS).

CEAP focuses on cutting carbon pollution by 50% by 2030 compared to 2007 levels and to be carbon neutral by 2050 focusing on the biggest local sources – buildings (57%) and transportation (38%). If the remaining actions in CEAP are successfully implemented, along with the Province’s Clean BC commitments, the City estimates that Vancouver can reduce carbon pollution by 40% by 2030. 

CCAS addresses climate hazards such as extreme heat, poor air quality, drought, heavy rainfall, and rising sea levels, ensuring that Vancouver is prepared for these challenges. Climate change does not impact individuals and communities equally, and CCAS prioritizes actions that support disproportionately impacted communities, including senior, low-income households and racialized communities. 

Together, these plans aim to make Vancouver healthier, safer, more affordable, and resilient, while creating green jobs and supporting local progress. For more information on Vancouver's climate actions, visit City of Vancouver - Climate Emergency and City of Vancouver - Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Additional links