Climate change has become a pressing global issue. Scientists around the world have concluded that the rapid increase in our production of greenhouse gases is causing an increase in the average temperature on the Earth's surface. GHGs are produced when fossil fuels like gasoline, coal and natural gas are burned.

As our emissions of greenhouse gases continue to grow, average temperature is expected to increase, causing drier summers, wetter winters, and more frequent extreme weather events, along with rising sea-levels. Canada is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases per capita. However, Metro Vancouver, the B.C. Government and many local governments across the Province are taking a leadership role by setting targets and implementing many greenhouse gas emission reduction measures.

Metro Vancouver's role in climate change

Tackling climate change will require a range of actions to reduce GHG emissions and also to prepare for the impacts that it will bring to our region. In June 2010 Metro Vancouver adopted its Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The purpose of the CCAP is to set out strategies and actions towards achieving Metro Vancouver’s commitment to corporate carbon neutrality and to adapt our corporate infrastructure and activities to the anticipated consequences of climate change.

In October 2011 Metro Vancouver adopted the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan. One of this plan’s three goals is to “Minimize the region’s contribution to global climate change”, and this goal includes 5 strategies and 37 actions for Metro Vancouver, its member municipalities and other partners that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

Metro Vancouver’s actions on climate change (in particular related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions) will be reported annually as part of the BC Government Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP). Actions undertaken in 2012, as well as actions planned for 2013, can be found in Metro Vancouver’s CARIP Public Report for 2012.

Along with all of its member municipalities, Metro Vancouver has also joined Partners for Climate Protection (PCP). PCP is a national group whose goal is to support the sustainable development of Canadian municipalities by helping them prepare and implement local climate action plans.