In 2002, the Metro Vancouver Board made sustainability the central tenet of all Metro Vancouver plans and operations. In doing so, Metro Vancouver is committed to achieving “the highest quality of life embracing cultural vitality, economic prosperity, social justice and compassion, all nurtured by a beautiful and healthy environment” within the region.

“A Roadmap to Sustainability” provides a succinct history of why sustainability is important at Metro Vancouver and how it is being turned into actions:

 A Roadmap to Sustainability

Compendium of Regional Plans
As the provider of key utilities like drinking water, sewerage and drainage, and solid waste, Metro Vancouver is also responsible for the development of six regional management plans: drinking water, liquid waste, solid waste, regional growth, air quality, and regional parks. It has also assumed a leadership role on three other priority areas of regional significance: affordable housing, the regional food system, and ecological health.

Together Metro Vancouver’s regional plans represent an integrative approach to dealing with some of the most important issues related to the sustainability of a dynamic metropolitan region. The integrative approach is critical to the delivery of efficient, effective and affordable services, and contributes to a high quality of life for residents while maintaining the rich natural legacy of the region, now and long into the future.

 Compendium of plans

Key Documents at Metro Vancouver

 Compendium of Plans webpage
 Sustainability Framework
 Budget in Brief 2012
 Sustainability Roadmap
 Action Plan 2012

The Sustainability Framework provides a guide as to how the concept of sustainability is applied at Metro Vancouver. Turning these ideas into action is, in part, reflected in the Compendium of Regional Plans. Based on those commitments, detailed programs plans and budgets are prepared each year and then the Metro Vancouver Board approves the overall budget for the four Metro Vancouver Districts.

Sustainability Report 2009
In terms of findings, the results are mixed. The trends in drinking water, land use and transportation, as well as air quality are relatively positive while the region faces challenges in terms of meeting its goals in reducing the amount of solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions generated in the region as well as shifting to renewable sources of energy. 
 Sustainability Report 2009

To obtain a copy of earlier Sustainability reports, please contact ann.rowan@metrovancouver.org.