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Sustainable Region Initiative
Measuring Sustainability
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The Sustainability Framework outlines: a vision for the region, and the mission, values, sustainability imperatives, and sustainability principles of the organization.
PDF icon Metro Vancouver Sustainability Framework
Metro Vancouver’s Board has identified strategic priorities. These, together with key deliverables, are outlined in an annual Action Plan.
PDF icon Metro Vancouver 2010 Action Plan
Metro Vancouver’s regional Sustainability Report was last published in 2009.
PDF icon Sustainability Report 2009
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A New Regional Growth Strategy pt. 3: Sustainable Region Initiative
Economic Development in the Region
GVRD Corporate Sustainability
SRI Partners - Port Moody
Sustainable Region Initiative Overview
Sustainable Region Initiative 
Since 2002, Metro Vancouver has formally put the concept of sustainability at the centre of its operating and planning philosophy and advanced its role as a leader in making the region one which is explicitly committed to a sustainable future. This comprehensive endeavour has become known as the Sustainable Region Initiative, or more familiarly as the ‘SRI’.

Metro Vancouver’s Sustainability Framework, adopted by the Board in 2008, outlines: a vision for the region and the mission, values, sustainability imperatives, and sustainability principles for the organization. The elements of the Sustainability Framework are reflected in all Metro Vancouver activities. The diagram below provides a snapshot of the Sustainability Framework.

Sustainability Framework
Regional Vision

Metro Vancouver seeks to achieve what humanity aspires to on a global basis – the highest quality of life embracing cultural vitality, economic prosperity, social justice and compassion, all nurtured in and by a beautiful and healthy natural environment.

We will achieve this vision by embracing and applying the principles of sustainability, not least of which is an unshakeable commitment to the well-being of current and future generations and the health of our planet, in everything we do.

As we share our efforts in achieving this vision, we are confident that the inspiration and mutual learning we gain will become vital ingredients in our hopes for a sustainable common future.

Role and Mission

Metro Vancouver will:

SERVE THE REGION
• Attain the highest possible levels of excellence in meeting its service delivery responsibilities

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
• Develop and use an integrated system of plans to manage all activities within Metro Vancouver’s legislated scope of authority towards the achievement of a sustainable region

FACILITATE COLLABORATION
• Build and facilitate collaborative processes, including those that engage citizens, to achieve a robust partnership working together for a sustainable region

Values
Integrity is our foundation.
Passion for our work and pride in our accomplishments are our drivers.
Respect for the needs, interests, values and opinions of the public and compassion in all our relationships are our guideposts.
We are Metro Vancouver.
Imperative and Principles
The Sustainable Region Initiative is driven by three sustainability imperatives necessary for creating a sustainable future:
  • Have regard for both local and global consequences, and long term impacts
  • Recognize and reflect the interconnectedness and interdependence of systems
  • Be collaborative

The sustainability imperatives provide the foundation for a set of operational principles that guide decision making to conserve and develop natural, economic, and social capital.

Principles

1. PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

  1. protect, restore and enhance natural ecosystems; exercise extraordinary care with ecosystems that contain species which are rare or endangered or are critical to living systems
  2. allow extraneous material to be introduced to ecosystems only in such forms and quantities as can be absorbed by the receiving systems without material harm
  3. use renewable resources at no greater rate than they can be replenished
  4. use non-renewable resources only in ways that permit their beneficial re-use or at rates no faster than the rate of creation of renewable substitutes

2. PROVIDE FOR ONGOING PROSPERITY

  1. develop and efficiently use those activities and physical infrastructure that are critical to the long term economic health and creative strength of the region
  2. use pricing mechanisms (‘full pricing’) which account for economic, environmental and social, short and long term, and local and global costs and benefits
  3. ensure decisions and actions are affordable and do not accumulate liabilities for future generations
  4. ensure the economic benefits and capacities are adequately distributed so as to avoid the development of concentrations of persistent economic hardship

3. BUILD COMMUNITY CAPACITY AND SOCIAL COHESION

  1. develop and apply decision making processes which are transparent, inclusive and respectful of the interests of all affected parties
  2. identify the determinants of physical and mental health and encourage measures which promote long term health
  3. foster a culture of learning so that successive generations can absorb and build on the accumulated knowledge and wisdom of prior generations
  4. foster social cohesion through an appreciation of and involvement in the civic and cultural life of the community, emphasizing the involvement of young people and those who, through reasons of culture, or economic or physical circumstance, might not be engaged

    
Metrics, Targets and Key Deliverables
The following Strategic Priorities are outlined in the 2010 Action Plan with targets and key deliverables.

UTILITIES: Drinking Water, Liquid Waste, Solid Waste

ENVIRONMENT: Air Quality, Climate Change, Ecological Health, Energy, Parks and Greenways

REGIONAL PLANNING: Regional Growth Management, Agriculture and Food, Housing, Culture

MONEY AND PROCESS: Finance, Education and Relationship Building, Aboriginal Relations, International Relations

Every three years Metro Vancouver publishes a regional sustainability report to monitor progress toward achieving the vision.

PDF icon  Sustainability Report 2009
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