Lessons Learned
Since the introduction of the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, Vancouver has seen positive results across all targets. The following highlights some of the strategies that worked well:
District Energy Systems
One of the most successful strategies in reducing the City’s greenhouse gas emissions had been the expansion, development and investment in its District Energy Systems.
District Energy Systems are also able to run on a variety of sustainable and renewable energy sources. By localising energy production and generate energy for a whole neighbourhood, great efficiencies can be achieved.
The system is also attractive to building owners as it eliminates the need for the buildings connected to the distribution system to maintain boilers, hot water tanks, and auxiliary equipment and reduces builders’ maintenance costs and allows for more efficient use of the space.
The City of Vancouver is now known as a leader in District Energy Systems and the City’s staff have recently been invited by the C40 to lead a workshop on District Energy.
Green Building Codes
Vancouver has the greenest building codes in North America and continues to set the benchmark in the field. All buildings built from 2020 onwards have to be completely carbon neutral in operations.
This strategy is closely linkedin with the District Energy Systems strategy which greatly assists with the reduction of carbon emission from the operation of buildings.
Landfill Gas Collection & Re-use
Collecting and using methane collected from landfills is another great way to utilise renewable energy while at the same time reducing the amount of greenhouse gas being released to the atmosphere. The gas collected can then be utilised as a sustainable and renewable energy source.
Enhancing the pedestrian and cyclist experience
By making the City more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, the City had encouraged more people than ever before to walk, cycle or take public transport to get to and travel around the City.
Development of a City-wide bike share program
The development of the bike share program will further increase the number of cyclists and help to reduce dependence on cars.
Conducted a comprehensive coastal flood risk assessment
The completion of a comprehensive Coastal Flood Risk assessment allowed the City to further understand the future impacts of rising sea levels on the City. It is the first step that needs to be taken towards planning for adaptation and it will assist the City in its future adaptation decisions.
Phase 2 of the Coastal Flood Risk Assessment is now underway and will include identifying the most suitable methods for different areas to adapt and recover quickly from flood events.
Increase Flood Construction Levels
By increasing relevant legislation to increase the Flood Construction levels of new buildings in flood prone areas will provide immediate protection and help to minimize damage.
What the City of Vancouver need to work on:
One of the key lessons to successfully tackling climate change is to have collaboration across all levels of government. While the City of Vancouver and the Provincial Government of British Columbia had been proactive towards environmental sustainability, there had been little action on the Federal Level.
The City needs to work on gaining the support of the Federal Government in order to maximise the potential.
In addition, It is essential that the government constantly monitors the progress and rate of sea level rise, while the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy should be constantly updated and adapted to the ever changing climate.
District Energy Systems
One of the most successful strategies in reducing the City’s greenhouse gas emissions had been the expansion, development and investment in its District Energy Systems.
District Energy Systems are also able to run on a variety of sustainable and renewable energy sources. By localising energy production and generate energy for a whole neighbourhood, great efficiencies can be achieved.
The system is also attractive to building owners as it eliminates the need for the buildings connected to the distribution system to maintain boilers, hot water tanks, and auxiliary equipment and reduces builders’ maintenance costs and allows for more efficient use of the space.
The City of Vancouver is now known as a leader in District Energy Systems and the City’s staff have recently been invited by the C40 to lead a workshop on District Energy.
Green Building Codes
Vancouver has the greenest building codes in North America and continues to set the benchmark in the field. All buildings built from 2020 onwards have to be completely carbon neutral in operations.
This strategy is closely linkedin with the District Energy Systems strategy which greatly assists with the reduction of carbon emission from the operation of buildings.
Landfill Gas Collection & Re-use
Collecting and using methane collected from landfills is another great way to utilise renewable energy while at the same time reducing the amount of greenhouse gas being released to the atmosphere. The gas collected can then be utilised as a sustainable and renewable energy source.
Enhancing the pedestrian and cyclist experience
By making the City more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, the City had encouraged more people than ever before to walk, cycle or take public transport to get to and travel around the City.
Development of a City-wide bike share program
The development of the bike share program will further increase the number of cyclists and help to reduce dependence on cars.
Conducted a comprehensive coastal flood risk assessment
The completion of a comprehensive Coastal Flood Risk assessment allowed the City to further understand the future impacts of rising sea levels on the City. It is the first step that needs to be taken towards planning for adaptation and it will assist the City in its future adaptation decisions.
Phase 2 of the Coastal Flood Risk Assessment is now underway and will include identifying the most suitable methods for different areas to adapt and recover quickly from flood events.
Increase Flood Construction Levels
By increasing relevant legislation to increase the Flood Construction levels of new buildings in flood prone areas will provide immediate protection and help to minimize damage.
What the City of Vancouver need to work on:
One of the key lessons to successfully tackling climate change is to have collaboration across all levels of government. While the City of Vancouver and the Provincial Government of British Columbia had been proactive towards environmental sustainability, there had been little action on the Federal Level.
The City needs to work on gaining the support of the Federal Government in order to maximise the potential.
In addition, It is essential that the government constantly monitors the progress and rate of sea level rise, while the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy should be constantly updated and adapted to the ever changing climate.
The next page will examine the Risk Assessment of sea level rise impacts on the City of Vancouver
Reference List
Refer to Adaptation & Mitigation page