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Sustainable Region Initiative 

Metro Vancouver Sustainability Principles

In 2002, Metro Vancouver adopted the Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI) as its framework for decision making as well as the mechanism by which sustainability principles are moved from ideas into action. The SRI has been driven by the following overarching principles which state that decision making must:
• have regard for both local and global consequences, and long term impacts;
• recognize and reflect the interconnectedness and interdependence of systems;
• be collaborative

These provide the foundation for the three sets of operating principles that guide Metro Vancouver: conserve and develop natural, economic and social capital.

1. PROTECT & ENHANCE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
a) 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;
b) 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;
c) use renewable resources at no greater rate than they can be replenished;
d) 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
a)
develop and efficiently use those activities and physical infrastructure that are critical to the long term economic health and creative strength of the region;
b) use pricing mechanisms (‘full pricing’) which account for economic, environmental and social, short and long term, and local and global costs and benefits;
c) ensure decisions and actions are affordable and do not accumulate liabilities for future generations;
d) 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 & SOCIAL COHESION
a)
develop and apply decision making processes which are transparent, inclusive and respectful of the interests of all affected parties;
b) identify the determinants of physical and mental health and encourage measures which promote long term health;
c) foster a culture of learning so that successive generations can absorb and build on the accumulated knowledge and wisdom of prior generations;
d) 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.

METRO VANCOUVER SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK
 
         
             
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Resources

Since 2002, Metro Vancouver has formally put the concept of sustainability at the centre of its operating and planning philosophy and committed itself to be a leader in the attempt to make 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’.

"When we committed ourselves to the Sustainable Region Initiative back in 2001, we knew it was the right thing to do. And we knew we had to be committed to action, not just ideas, if we were to make a real difference. But, how to proceed, that we did not know. So we resolved, as an organization, to learn by doing. And that is what we continue to do. This is our latest ’report card’. I think we can take it home".

Johnny Carline
Commissioner/CAO, Metro Vancouver, 2008

Watch video clips
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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

Fast Facts

METRO VANCOUVER 3 ROLES

Metro Vancouver's core services, which are provided principally to municipalities, are the provision of drinking water, sewerage and drainage, and solid waste management. Regional parks and affordable housing are significant services provided directly to the public.

Metro Vancouver’s three main areas of planning and egulatory responsibility relate to: regional growth land use through municipalities and transportation through TransLink); waste management (solid and liquid waste) and air quality management (a delegated Provincial function).

Finally, Metro Vancouver serves as the main political forum for discussion of significant community issues at the regional level. It acts as a facilitator, convenor, partner, advocate and a significant instrument for providing information and education to the community.