Treekeepers, Green Building Cncl, Community Energy praise progress on Greenest City goals

Speakers from Treekeepers, the Green Building Council and the Community Energy Assoc. lined up at City Hall today to praise the city’s progress on its Greenest City goals.

Highlights of the progress report delivered by deputy city manager Sadhu Johnson:

• the city has added about 3,000 green and local food jobs;
• greenhouse gas emissions are down six percent below 2008 levels and the city organization is carbon neutral;
• 44 percent of trips are being made by foot, bicycle or transit, a 10 percent improvement; and
• 12 percent less waste is being landfilled or incinerated.

There are many challenges to achieving all the Greenest City goals by 2020, but at least 16 speakers urged Vancouver to stay the course. None opposed.