Thread by @christineeboyle

Next Wednesday @CityofVancouver staff report back to #Council on ramping up our #ClimateAction, in line with the #IPCC science and in response to the #ClimateEmergency. Here’s my breakdown of the recommendations 👇

This #ClimateEmergency report outlines 6 Big Moves for Council to direct staff to pursue & come back w. comprehensive/costed plans. Plus 53 Accelerated Actions to move on now. The targets are strong & won’t be easy. This is what governing in line with the science looks like.

Big Move 1: By 2030, 90% of people will live within an easy walk/roll of their daily needs (we’re at 45%). Focused on land-use & complete n'hoods, it would ⬇️ 153,000 tonnes carbon/year, while creating ⬆️ housing choices, ⬆️ social interaction, and supporting local businesses.

Big Move 2: By 2030, ⅔ of trips in #Vancouver will be by #ActiveTransportation & #Transit. This means ⬆️ transit capacity, ⬆️ bus speed & efficiency, and more. It will improve affordability & equity in transportation, plus has added health & air quality benefits.

Big Move 3: Pollution-free cars, trucks and buses. By 2030, 50% of the km driven on our roads will be by #ZeroEmission vehicles. This includes light-duty vehicles & buses, transitioning #taxi & #carshare fleets, expanding #EV infrastructure, & considering emission-free zones.

Big Move 4: Zero emissions space and water heating. By 2025 all replacement heating & hot water systems will be zero emissions. Aiming for 2021 for new systems. This is huge. This move alone would accomplish 46% of our emission-reduction goals.

Big Move 4 cont’d. This move includes developing a significant building retrofit strategy (something @AdrianeCarr has done great work on!) & would create lots of good local jobs. It connects with #CleanBC incentives. And means the NEU being 100% renewable by 2030.

Big Move 4 cont’d. There are #equity and #affordability concerns that staff are conscious of in this one. Including affordability through incentives or green loans for retrofits. And avoiding displacement of existing renters in older buildings. These are important.

Big Moves 1-4 would reduce our emissions in buildings, transportation & waste by 1.1M tonnes, getting us 92% of the way to our 2030 reduction target. The remaining 0.1M would be achieved through provincial Low Carbon Fuel & Renewable Gas standards.

Big Move 5: Lower carbon construction materials and designs. Means shifting toward more timber construction, which also reduces building costs, improves affordability, supports BC’s #Forestry sector, and improves seismic resilience. Win-win-win-win-win.

Big Move 6: Restored forests and coasts. This is the start of #negativeemissions efforts (work that is needed because real climate action has been delayed for so long). Plus it can tie into our tree canopy & shoreline restoration goals. AND strengthen #Reconciliation efforts.

Accelerated Actions: These 53 actions can be moved forward right away, while planning and costing for the Big Moves happens. And these are “no-regrets” actions - they overlap with existing #health #affordability #equity #livability and #localbusiness goals.

Climate & Equity Working Group: A growing number of cities are looking at #Equity in their #Climate work. This would build on the city’s Equity Framework, adding an intersectional lens to ensure systemically excluded populations are heard and involved.

These recommendations are aligned w/ the science & the URGENCY that Council recognized unanimously in Jan. An Emergency requires targets that are firm deadlines, not aspirational goals, and real plans to meet those deadlines. And it requires courage. canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/blog-im-skippi…

I’m part of a new generation of politicians who are going to have to live with the consequences of climate change for the rest of our lives, and we’re no longer prepared to keep kicking the can down the road.

Climate change is real, and urgent. It’s time to govern as if we understand that. This report gives Vancouver the tools, within our jurisdiction, to set an example for other municipalities and to make a big difference. I think this Council is up for the task.

These recommendations come to Council April 24 at 9:30am.

You can read the full report here: council.vancouver.ca/20190424/docum….

Find out about speaking to Council here: vancouver.ca/your-governmen…

And sign up to speak here: vancouver.ca/your-governmen…

#vanpoli #climateemergency @OneCityVan