• The Climate Priority Resolution adopts Council’s desired greenhouse gas reduction pathway of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by municipal operations by 2025, an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by the Vancouver community by 2030, and the achievement of carbon neutrality by both municipal operations and the Vancouver community by 2040.
• The resolution would further direct City staff to pursue policy and budgetary actions that support this desired pathway and direct City departments to specify how new or updated programs, services, projects, and plans will be grounded in climate change mitigation and resilience.

Goal 1, Objective 1.1: Develop and maintain a safe, balanced and innovative transportation system that will meet the needs of future generations.

Goal 1, Objective 1.2: Ensure our infrastructure, including buildings and utilities, is safe, environmentally responsible and well maintained.

Goal 3, Objective 3.2: Improve services available to underserved or vulnerable residents.

Goal 6, Objective 6.1: Support a strong, active neighborhood program that enhances livability and community connections.

At the July 2021 climate workshop, the City Council endorsed an Early Action Package (EAP) of 13 climate actions targeted at jumpstarting GHG emissions reduction while laying the groundwork for the implementation of the full Climate Action Plan in 2022.

At the March 2022 workshop, Council initiated progress on Action #11 (Release a supplemental climate and sustainability priority declaration) of the EAP by directing CMO staff to draft such a resolution for Council adoption. CMO staff presented a draft resolution to Council during the May 16, 2022 workshop and incorporated suggestions and feedback from Councilors into the revised draft presented here (Attachment A).

This draft Climate Priority Resolution accomplishes several key policy objectives endorsed by Council at the July 2021 and March 2022 climate workshops. It would adopt the Early Action Package as well as the following leading-edge climate goals for the City of Vancouver:

• An overall Climate Action goal of:
  • an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by municipal operations by 2025;
  • an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by the Vancouver community by 2030; and
  • the achievement of carbon neutrality by both municipal operations and the Vancouver community by 2040.

The resolution directs the City Manager to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to define the strategies and actions necessary to achieve this climate action goal. It further directs all City staff to pursue policy and budgetary actions that support this desired pathway and directs City departments to specify how new or updated programs, services, projects, and plans will be grounded in climate change mitigation and resilience. It also declares Council’s intention to center youth and frontline communities in the implementation and oversight of the CAP, and to conduct regular updates and refinements of the CAP to continue making progress towards its 2040 goals.

• Adopts clear greenhouse gas reduction pathways around which the Climate Action Plan can be constructed.
• Establishes City climate goals that can strengthen competitiveness for state and federal grants and other funding opportunities
• Provides needed guidance as staff approach efforts, such as the update of the Strategic Plan and the Interstate Bridge Replacement project.