Green buildings

GREEN BUILDINGS

1.REQUIRE ALL BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED FROM 2020 ONWARD TO BE CARBON NEUTRAL IN OPERATIONS.

2. REDUCE ENERGY USE AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN EXISTING BUILDINGS BY 20% OVER 2007 LEVELS.

Canadians spend close to 90% of our time indoors, which makes the buildings we live and work in a big part of our lives.

Buildings are also a big part of Vancouver’s carbon footprint—the amount of carbon we are responsible for releasing into the atmosphere.

Fortunately, Vancouver is already leading the way on green building design as the industry continues to grow and innovate.

Vancouver’s next challenge is to improve the environmental performance of existing building stock by focusing on retrofits such as insulation, heating and lighting system upgrades and energyefficient appliances, as well as on how people operate buildings.

Clean Water

1. MEET OR BEAT THE STRONGEST OF BRITISH COLUMBIAN, CANADIAN, AND APPROPRIATE

INTERNATIONAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.

2. REDUCE PER CAPITA WATER CONSUMPTION BY 33% FROM 2006 LEVELS.

Factors such as population growth and climate change have been adversely affected by access to potable water, so it is necessary ensure that current residents and future generations continue to have access to clean water.

The family homes are the sector that consumes more water in Vancouver, and for this reason there is a plan of action that consists of measuring the volume of water consumed by the family; thus the families who consume more pay more.

The Clean Water goal requires coordination with the Green Building goal and associated actions and strategies on issues of rainwater and greywater capture and use. It also recognizes the need to coordinate with Local Food actions, focusing on synergies between urban agriculture and water conservation efforts.

Success Story:

Water tap makes a comeback

The city of Vancouver has been making a gradual phasing out of bottled water sales in civilian facilities. Thus aims to improve public trust in tap water. This campaign, reminded residents that "our water is as good as it gets." Since then, consumption the bottled water decreased.

THE SEWER SYSTEM AND THE WHALE

What is the connection between the sewer system and a gray whale?

This story begins when they decide to do the treatment at a sewage that were contaminating the waters. With the improvement of the health of this ecosystem, and after the placement of herring eggs, came after 100 years a whale.

RETURNING RAIN TO ITS NATURAL HABITAT

After the rains, the water infiltrates the soil; during this process is filtered, reducing costs of water treatment. Therefore Vancouver measures adopted with respect to the floor, making them more permeable and since in some areas so as to allow the rain water is absorbed.