Climate Leadership | Eliminate
dependence on fossil fuels
2020 Target
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 33 per cent from 1990 levels.
Today
Vancouver's greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced to 1990 levels and we are on track to meet our 2012 target of 6 per cent below 1990 levels. Vancouver has the lowest per-capita carbon footprint of any major North American city.
This is due to electricity that is primarily from hydro resources, good land-use decisions that have limited the growth of transportation emissions, and the capture and utilization of methane from the Vancouver landfill to produce electricity.
Challenges
Half of Vancouver's greenhouse gas emissions come from burning natural gas to heat our homes, offices, shops, and industries. With some of the lowest energy prices in the world, reducing energy use and shifting to local green energy sources will require creative approaches and partnerships.
One third of emissions come from vehicle use. Expanding transit service to meet growing demand will be expensive and is outside of Vancouver's direct control. Enabling walking and cycling will require us to continue to develop more compact and complete communities and demands re-thinking in how we design and use our roads.
Your Ideas
How can Vancouver become a climate leader? We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions indirectly by planning development and transportation in ways that make it easy to get around without a car. More directly, we can also mandate green building methods and renewable energy systems. What do you think are the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels?
More information on Climate Protection
Your images
Green the City is a visual database of images and ideas submitted by you as we journey towards our goal of becoming the World's Greenest City by 2020. See the climate leadership images you submitted