What Local Municipalities are Doing
District of North Vancouver
Official Community Plan Review: The District of North Vancouver is in the process of reviewing its Official Community Plan (OCP) in order to better address the current and future needs of the community. The DNV has identified sustainability (economic, social and environmental) as a key focus of the new OCP. Also, under Provincial Legislation the new OCP must establish targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The OCP is set for adoption in December 2010 and over the next several months the District will be raising awareness to ensure broad participation of all stakeholders. The DNV is seeking extensive community input to shape the new OCP so to learn more about the reviewing process and how to get your voice heard please see: http://identity.dnv.org/
Pilot Solar Community: As one of six BC Communities designated a Solar Community, the District of North Vancouver will receive a grant of $20,000 from the province to promote the use of solar hot water systems within its community. Click here for more information on this program.
The DNV’s Environmental Department is responsible for the protection and preservation of the District’s natural assets and environment. Check their webpage for more information!
City of North Vancouver
The City of North Vancouver (CNV), working with the University of British Columbia Design Centre for Sustainability, has recently released a 100 Year Sustainability Vision for the City with the goal of carbon-neutrality by 2107, the CNV’s 200th anniversary. The CNV’s 2002 Official Community Plan (OCP) established sustainability goals in 3 overlapping areas: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and social sustainability.
The CNV’s Environmental Protection Program (EPP) was established in 2000 to “enhance the existing natural environment, protect sensitive habitats, and promote environmental stewardship among residents, businesses and community groups.” Following this, The CNV has developed many programs to support and protect the local environment. The city also offers many suggestions to help its citizens contribute to the City’s sustainability goals. In 2007, the City of North Vancouver won the Green City Award for a city with a population 25,000 to 100,000!
District of West Vancouver
The District of West Vancouver’s 2004 Official Community Plan (OCP) identified the need to consider environmental factors in planning for future growth and development of the District.
Following the adoption of the OCP, an Environmental Strategy was created to outline how the new environmental policies would be put into action. The Environmental Strategy is divided into 11 categories that cover topics such as ‘Recycling’, ‘Creek Habitat and Corridors’, and ‘Transportation’. The District of West Vancouver has created initiatives to meet the environmental objectives of each category and has additionally identified areas for future action.
Following the signing of the British Columbia Climate Action Charter in 2008, the District of West Vancouver formed a Climate Action Working Group to prepare and implement a municipal Climate Action Plan.
