Reaching our ten 'greenest city' goals
starts by setting specific targets for 2020.
Green Economy
Vancouver already has a highly diversified home-grown green economy. Our long-term goal is to secure Vancouver's international reputation as a mecca of green enterprise. Our target is to double the number of green jobs in the City by 2020 over 2010 levels. We're also developing a target to green existing jobs.
Lighter Footprint
If everyone on earth lived as Vancouverites do now, we'd need four planets to sustain us. Each of the greenest city goals will contribute to an overall shrinking footprint, moving us towards a level more in line with what we have: only one planet to live on. Our target for 2020 is to reduce Vancouver's per capita ecological footprint by 33 per cent over 2006 levels.
Green Buildings
Vancouver has the greenest new neighbourhood in North America – Southeast False Creek. One day, we will lead the world in green building design and construction. Our 2020 targets are to require all buildings constructed from 2020 onward to be carbon neutral in operations and to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in existing buildings by 20 per cent over 2007 levels.
Clean Water
For Vancouverites to enjoy the best drinking water of any major city by 2020 we aim to always meet the strongest of British Columbian, Canadian, and international drinking water quality standards and guidelines. We are also developing a target for water conservation.
Climate Leadership
Unlike many growing cities, greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver are on the decline, currently at the same level as they were in 1990. Our goal is to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels. Our 2020 target is to reduce community-based greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent from 2007 levels.
Zero Waste
We already divert 55 per cent of regional solid waste from disposal, but ultimately we need to create zero waste. By 2020 we aim to reduce solid waste going to the landfill or incinerator by 50 per cent from 2008 levels.
Clean Air
While Vancouver already enjoys relatively good air quality, our long-term goal is to have the cleanest air of any major city in the world. Our proposed 2020 target is to meet the most stringent of British Columbian, Canadian and international air quality standards and guidelines.
Local Food
Vancouver has a growing appetite for farmer's markets and community gardens. But to become a global leader in urban food systems, we'll need to grow beyond this start. We have a 2020 target to increase city and neighbourhood food assets by a minimum of 50 per cent over 2010 levels. That means increasing all residents' access to food that is fresh and local, grown without harmful chemicals, and fairly produced and harvested.
Green Transportation
To be the greenest city, we need to make walking, cycling and transit the preferred transportation options. Our first 2020 target is to have over 50 per cent of trips take place by walking, cycling and public transit. Our second is to reduce motor vehicle kilometers traveled per resident by 20 per cent from 2007 levels.
ACCESS TO NATURE
Our long-term vision is that Vancouver residents enjoy incomparable access to green spaces, including the world's most spectacular urban forest.Our first 2020 target is to ensure that every person lives within a five-minute walk of a park, beach, greenway, or other natural space. Our second target is to plant 150,000 additional trees in the city between 2010 and 2020. Currently, Vancouver has more than 200 diverse parks, and an estimated 1.6 million trees.
