Greenest City Action Plan (GCAP) Metrics

City of Vancouver

This Excel workbook contains reported metrics for Greenest City Action Plan (GCAP) targets from
baseline years through 2020 and the completion of the plan.

For more info, contact

greenestcity@vancouver.ca
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Methodology
Climate and Renewables
The metrics for Climate and Renewables rely on:
- Community-wide consumption data from electricity and
natural gas utilities
- Regional transportation models and City of Vancovuer-
specific fuel sales data
- Landfill gas generation models and city and regional waste
collection data
Past emissions are periodically revised based on the latest
science. For example, in 2014 the Provincial Government
updated their guidance to local governments on how
methane, which is emitted by waste decomposing in the
landfill, acts as a greenhouse gas. Specifically, the global
warming potential (GWP), the measure of how much heat a
particular greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere, has been
updated. The new Provincial Guidance directs that the GWP
of methane be updated from 21 to 25 to align with the
guidance released by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change in its Fourth Assessment Report. Carbon
dioxide has a GWP of one. Methodological revisions are
applied for all years going back to baseline year to maintain
consistency in approach.
Green Buildings
The metric for community building emissions relies on
community-wide consumption data from:
- Electricity
- Natural gas utilities
The metric for emissions for new buildings relies on:
- Modelled energy-use intensities of various building types
- Actual and projected figures for newly built floor area in
the city
We publicly report our greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory to
the Carbon Disclosure Project for Cities (CDP for Cities)
platform. Free registration to CDP is required to view
responses.
This metric is maintained by the Sustainability group within
Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability at the City.

We also publicly report our greenhouse gas (GHG)

inventory to the Carbon Disclosure Project for Cities (CDP
for Cities) platform. Free registration to CDP is required to
view responses.

This metric is maintained by the Sustainability Group within

the Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability department at
the City.
Green Transportation Zero Waste
The metrics for Green Transportation rely on: The metrics for Zero Waste rely on city and regional waste
- Annual survey data from Vancouver residents about collection data and models.
chosen transportation modes and distances travelled
- Previous Translink Trip Diary survey data, which is Solid waste data is compiled first at a regional level and
conducted every five years; National Census transportation then at the city level. As a result, Vancouver’s data is
data; city and regional fuel sales data; and ICBC Aircare always one year behind the reporting period.
odometer data
These metrics are maintained by the Solid Waste
Mode share totals for baseline year (40% of trips in 2008) Management and Green Operations division within
was based on data gathered through a Translink "Trip Engineering Services at the City.
Diary" survey that is conducted about once every five years.
A new methodology involving an annual Vancouver
residents-only survey was introduced in 2013 to capture the
same information, and will be used for measuring both
Green Transportation indicators going forward.

This metric is maintained by the Sustainability group within

Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability at the City.
Access to Nature
The metrics for Access to Nature rely on a number of
factors:
- Count of the total area of green space
- Total number of trees planted within Vancouver
- Total hectares of natural space restored or enhanced
- Aerial mapping to determine canopy cover across the city
These metrics are maintained by the Vancouver Board of
Parks and Recreation.
Clean Water
The metrics for Clean Water rely on city and regional water
quality and consumption data.
These metrics are maintained by the Water and Utilities
Management division within Engineering Services at the
City.
Local Food Clean Air
The metrics for Local Food rely on the annual count of total The metrics for Clean Air rely on annual counts of total air-
food assets within Vancouver. quality exceedances as measured at stations within
Vancouver.
Food assets include:
- Number of community garden plots Air quality metrics are measured by Metro Vancouver from
- Farmers markets data collected a number of monitoring stations in
- Community orchards Vancouver. Historically, active stations have included
- Community composting facilities Kitsilano, Robson Square, Clark Drive, and Pandora Park.
- Community kitchens
- Community food markets Exceedance thresholds are based on air quality standards
- Urban farms from Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the
World Health Organization. Four indicators of air quality
These metrics are maintained by the Social Policy and are used for comparison to world standards. They are:
Projects division within Arts, Culture and Community - 24 hour average particulate matter (PM 2.5%)
Services at the City. concentration >25 ųg/m3
- one hour average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration
>200 ųg/m3
- 24 hour average sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentration >20
ųg/m3
- eight hour ground-level ozone (O3) concentration >52
ppb.

This metric is maintained by the Sustainability Group within

the Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability department at
the City. Measurement and data analysis is done by the Air
Quality and Climate Change Planning group at Metro
Vancouver Regional District.
Green Economy
The metrics for Green Economy rely on periodic studies
looking at green jobs and green businesses within
Vancouver.
The 2013 Green Jobs Study refined the definition and
measurement of "green" jobs due to changes in data
available from Statistics Canada. This resulted in a change
in the 2010 baseline count. The methods used to gather the
metrics has been reviewed by Ernst & Young, and targets
going forward will be based on this recalculated total.
These metrics are maintained by the Vancouver Economic
Commission.
Lighter Footprint
The ecological footprint metric for Lighter Footprint relies
on similar data to the Climate and Renewables metrics, plus
additional data sources:
- Community-wide consumption data from electricity and
natural gas utilities
- Regional transportation models and City of Vancovuer-
specific fuel sales data
- Landfill gas generation models and city and regional waste
collection data
- Statistics Canada's Census food availability data
- Centre for Ecocities sources for life cycle assessment data
for consumables and waste; trade-related food miles;
building-archetypical embodied emissions; generalized
land-use, built and naturalized areas; water distribution
system energy usage; regional air and marine travel models.
This metric is maintained by the Sustainability Group within
the Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability department at
the City. Measurement and data analysis is done by the
Centre for Ecocities at the British Columbia Institute of
Technology (BCIT).
Measuring Vancouver’s ecological footprint is very
complex and made more difficult because much of the
required data is only available on a national or regional
level. Measuring the number of “people empowered to take
action” is a way to measure success in the ultimate objective
of the Lighter Footprint goal: to enable residents to help
collectively reduce our community’s environmental impact.
The "people empowered" metric for Lighter Footprint relies
on annual counts within Vancouver.
“People empowered to take action” is defined as those who
are enabled by the programs we support to change their
lifestyle, or are implementing a community project that
helps us achieve our Greenest City goals as a result of the
support provided by the programs we lead or support
Examples include:
- Learning to preserve food or ride a bike in a community
centre class
- People involved in projects supported by the Greenest City
Fund
The definition excludes people:
STATUS: UPDATED FOR 2020
CURRENT AS AT: 05/22/2023
CONTACT:LLOYD LEE / DOUG SMITH, SUSTAINABILITY

Improved over
Goal Target Indicator Baseline Target 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 baseline Notes
Climate and Target: Reduce community-based greenhouse gas emissions by Total tonnes of community CO2e emissions from 2,850,000 tCO2e -33% 2,640,000 2,540,000 2,510,000 2,370,000 2,445,000 2,575,000 2,440,000 2,505,000 . 2,335,000 tCO2e -16% Yes Community GHGs are dominated by building heating (nearly 60%), and existing
Renewables 33% from 2007 levels by 2020 Vancouver building stock is (1) not weather-resilient (i.e., energy use tracks weather
patterns) and (2) predominately heated by fossil-fuel systems. Meanwhile,
transportation emissions are not increasing but not decreasing either. Work
will continue under the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), with related
Green Buildings Target 1: Require all buildings constructed from 2020 onward to Kilograms of CO2e per square metre of newly built 20.7 kgCO2e/m2 carbon neutral -- -- 14.4 -- -- 11.8 -- -- . 3.9 kgCO2e/m2 -81% Yes Good progress made on building-code changes to introduce carbon limits on
indicators.
be carbon neutral in operations. floor area (2022) new buildings, using rezoning policy as "ratchet mechanism" to build leading
market supply and expertise. Work will continue under the Climate Emergency
Action Plan (CEAP) and Zero Emissions Building Plan (ZEBP), with related
indicators.
Target 2: Reduce energy use and GHG emissions in existing Total tonnes of CO2e from all community buildings 1,630,000 tCO2e -20% 1,550,000 1,495,000 1,465,000 1,295,000 1,375,000 1,515,000 1,415,000 1,450,000 . 1,420,000 tCO2e -10% Yes See Community GHGs above. Work will continue under the Climate Emergency
buildings by 20% over 2007 levels. Action Plan (CEAP) and Zero Emissions Building Plan (ZEBP), with related
indicators.

Green Target 1: Make the majority of trips (over 50%) by foot, bicycle Per cent mode share by walk, bike and transit 40% of trips1 50% of trips -- 48% 50% 50% 50% 48% 53% 54% . 54% of trips (2019)2 +14% Yes Trips overall decreased due to pandemic-related transportation slowdown.
Transportation and public transit. Transit ridership down significantly. Work will continue under the Climate
Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and Transportation 2040, with related
indicators.
Target 2: Reduce average distance driven per resident by 20% Total vehicle km driven per person 5,950 km -20% 4,990 4,840 4,550 4,100 4,050 3,900 3,850 4,000 . 4,000 km (2019)2 -33% Yes Work will continue under the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and
from 2007 levels. Transportaion 2040, with related indicators.

Zero Waste Target: Reduce total solid waste going to the landfill or Annual solid waste disposed to landfill or 480,000 tonnes -50% 423,600 394,600 370,000 351,000 371,000 353,000 326,000 334,000 . 334,000 tonnes -30% Yes Significant progress made due to introduction of curbside and commercial
incinerator by 50% from 2008 levels. incinerator from Vancouver2 (2008) (2019) organics collection and expansion of reuse and recycling programs. Work will
continue under the Zero Waste 2040 plan. A future target may be incorporated
into the city's next environmental plan as part of the Vancouver Plan.
Access to Nature Target 1: Ensure that every person lives within a five minute walk Per cent of city’s land base within a 5 min walk to a 92.6% (2010) 95% of land base 92.7% 92.7% 92.7% 92.7% 92.7% 92.7% 92.7% 92.7% . 92.7% +0.1% Yes Vancouver’s Park Board has improved the measurement for 5-minute access to
of a park, greenway or other green space.3 green space green space in their VanPlay plan. The City will transition to the new
measurement in Vancouver’s next environmental plan. Work will continue
under VanPlay. A future target may be incorporated into the city's next
environmental plan as part of the Vancouver Plan.
Target 2: Plant 150,000 additional trees. Total number of additional trees planted 3 - - (2010) +150,000 trees 23,485 36,981 48,941 60,499 82,000 102,000 122,000 139,000 . 150,000 trees +150,000 Yes Work will continue under VanPlay and the Urban Forest Strategy. A future
target related may be incorporated into the city's next environmental plan as
part of the Vancouver Plan.

Target 3: Restore or enhance 25 hectares of natural areas Total hectares of natural areas restored or - - (2010) 25 hectares -- -- -- 14 20 26 27 32 . 34 hectares +34 Yes Work will continue under VanPlay. A future target may be incorporated into
between 2010 and 2020. enhanced the city's next environmental plan as part of the Vancouver Plan.

Target 4: Increase canopy cover to 22% by 2050. Per cent of city’s land area covered by tree leaf 18% (2013)3 22% (2050)3 -- 18% -- -- -- -- 23% -- . 23% (2018)4 n/a n/a Work will continue under VanPlay and the Urban Forest Strategy. A future
canopies target may be incorporated into the city's next environmental plan as part of
the Vancouver Plan.

Clean Water Target 1: Meet or beat the most stringent drinking water quality Total number of instances of not meeting drinking 0 instances (2006) 0 instances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 instances 0 Yes Work will continue under One Water, the Rain CIty Strategy and other
standards and guidelines5. water quality standards strategies targeting water usage and quality. A future target may be
incorporated into the city's next environmental plan as part of the Vancouver
Plan.
Target 2: Reduce per capita water consumption by 33% from Total water consumption per capita 583 L/person/day -33% 491 480 490 493 476 475 456 446 . 433 L/person/day -26% Yes Significant progress made due to public behaviour-change campaigns, phase-
2006 levels. (2006) out of single-pass systems, and supports for rainwater harvesting systems.
Work will continue under One Water, the Rain CIty Strategy and other
strategies targeting water usage and quality. A future target may be
incorporated into the city's next environmental plan as part of the Vancouver
Local Food Target: Increase city-wide and neighbourhood food assets by a Total number of neighbourhood food assets6 in 3,344 food assets +50% 4,141 4,332 4,556 4,612 4,740 5,129 4,960 5,059 . 5,258 food assets +57% Yes Work
Plan. will continue under the Vancouver Food Policy. A future target may be
minimum of 50% over 2010 levels. Vancouver (2010) incorporated into the city's next environmental plan as part of the Vancouver
Plan.

Clean Air Target: Meet or beat the most stringent air quality guidelines7 Total number of instances of not meeting of air 27 instances (2008) 0 instances 16 0 0 71 0 324 227 30 . 230 instances8 +203 No Some measured exceedances were due to vehicle emissions. Larger spikes
quality standards were due to wildfire smoke from outside Vancouver. These are increasing in
frequency. Work to mitigate air-quality impacts on residents will continue
under the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, with related indicators.
Green Economy Target 1: Double the number of green jobs over 2010 levels. Total number of local food and green jobs 16,700 jobs (2010) 100% -- 20,217 -- -- -- 24,796 -- -- . 34,088 jobs +87% Yes Significant progress made, supported by Vancouver Economic Commission
business support and market building programs. Work will continue under the
forthcoming Zero Emission Economic Transition Action Plan, with related
indicators included in the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP).
Target 2: Double the number of companies that are actively Per cent of businesses engaged in greening their 5% of businesses +5% of businesess -- -- -- -- -- 9% -- -- . 20.5% of businesses +15.5% Yes Significant progress made, supported by Vancouver Economic Commission
engaged in greening their operations over 2011 levels. operations engaged (2011) engaged business support and market building programs. Work will continue under the
forthcoming Zero Emission Economic Transition Action Plan, with related
indicators.
Lighter Footprint Target: Reduce Vancouver’s ecological footprint by 33% over Total global hectares per capita 4.27 gha/person -33% 4.01 (2011) -- -- 3.40 -- -- -- -- . 3.40 gha/person -20% Yes Significant progress made as resident consumption habits change over time. A
2006 levels. (2006) (2015) future target may be incorporated into the city's next environmental plan as
part of the Vancouver Plan.

Number of people empowered9 to take action 600 people (2011) -- 2,351 6,700 10,700 14,200 18,400 22,200 29,100 39,900 . 44,500 people +43,900 Yes Resident mobilization continues through City engagement around the Climate
(cumulative) Emergency Action Plan, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, etc. A future
target may be incorporated into the city's next environmental plan as part of
the Vancouver Plan.
Green Operations Target Zero Carbon: 50% reduction in GHGs from City operations Total tonnes of CO2e from City operations 495,000 tonnes -50% 350,000 285,000 265,000 250,000 220,000 225,000 220,000 280,000 . 225,000 tCO2e -55% Yes Work will continue under the Green Operations Plan, with related indicators.
from 2007 levels CO2e (2007)

Target Zero Waste: 80% average waste diversion in City-used Total diversion rate (average) 47% (2012) 80% diversion 47% 69% 74% 76% 78% 84% 86% 83% 82% diversion 35% Yes Work will continue under the Green Operations Plan, with related indicators.
facilities10

Target Healthy Ecosystems: Reduce water use in City operations Total water use by City facilities (m3)11 2,600,000 m3 (2006) -33% NDA NDA 2,420,000 2,060,000 2,010,000 2,060,000 2,325,000 1,645,000 . 1,320,000 m3 -49% Yes Work will continue under the Green Operations Plan, with related indicators.
by 33% from 2006 levels

1 2019 results are given. 2020 results were abnormally impacted by the sudden decline of resident trips across all modes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 Solid waste data is compiled first at a regional level and then at the city level. As a result, Vancouver’s data is always one year behind the reporting period.
3 5% of the city’s land base is industrial land, and is not considered part of the target. The Park Board has improved the measurement for 5-minute access to green space. The City will transition to the new measurement in Vancouver’s next environmental plan.
4 The original baseline of 18% (and target of 22%) were subject to an accuracy issue in our original LiDAR measurement in 2013. A 2020 reassessment found our canopy cover to be 21% in 2013, and 23% in 2018. While the original baselines are shown here, these revised figures will be the baseline going forward in the Climate Emergency Action Plan and other strategies. The upcoming Urban Forest Strategy Update will also revise the target to 30% by 2050.
5 Based on water quality standards from British Columbia, Canada and appropriate international standards.
6 Food assets include: community garden plots, farmers markets, community orchards, community composting facilities, community kitchens, community food markets, food hubs, and urban farms. While the food asset target was met in 2017, specific projections such as securing a food hub and 35 urban farms were not realized, and some assets such as community garden plots are now in decline.
7 Based on air quality standards from Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the World Health Organization. Four indicators of air quality are used for comparison to world standards. They are: 24 hour average particulate matter (PM 2.5%) concentration >25 ųg/m3 , one hour average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration >200 ųg/m3, 24 hour average sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentration >20 ųg/m3,and eight hour ground-level ozone (O3) concentration >52 ppb.
8 2020 air quality metrics were measured by Metro Vancouver from data from three monitoring stations in Vancouver (Robson Square, Clark Drive, Pandora Park near the Burrard Inlet area).