The Metro Vancouver Regional District achieved corporate carbon neutrality in 2019, an important step toward meeting the goals of its Climate 2050 strategy, which includes a commitment to becoming a carbon neutral region by 2050. This would be the equivalent of extending the regional district’s own carbon neutral achievement to all organizations, businesses, and residents in the region.
In 2019, Metro Vancouver balanced its entire carbon footprint of 16,645 tonnes of GHG emissions through carbon credits generated by projects in the region that have local benefits beyond GHG reductions. For example:
- Ecological restoration of Burns Bog, which sequesters large amounts of carbon, and improves the ecology of North America’s largest urban bog, affectionately known as “The Lungs of the Lower Mainland.”
- Parkland acquisitions at Widgeon Marsh in Coquitlam and Codd Wetland in Pitt Meadows, which sequester carbon, protect ecosystems and help people connect with nature.
- Innovative tunnel construction methods for major liquid waste infrastructure projects, which cut down on heavy trucking and cause fewer community disruptions.
- Installation of energy-efficient boilers and appliances in Metro Vancouver Housing sites, which reduce emissions, save on operating expenses and help deliver more affordable housing.
- Increasing the share of electric and hybrid vehicles in Metro Vancouver’s vehicle fleet, which reduces emissions and contributes to cleaner air.
This achievement puts Metro Vancouver in a strong position to advance climate action in the region. Implementation of Climate 2050 is underway and is structured around ten different issue areas. Discussion papers on six issue area Roadmaps have been published and are open for public input.
Find out how Metro Vancouver is addressing climate change as an organization and as a region.
