The City of Vancouver has a tradition of taking action on climate and environmental issues. We will work collaboratively across all levels of government, organizations and communities to advance our understanding of the interconnectedness of our actions with ocean acidification and seek solutions. The Ocean Acidification Framework is an opportunity to amplify the City’s current greenhouse gas mitigation and rainwater management work, connect and communicate the benefits of mitigation efforts on ocean health and foster opportunities for further action.
In 2019, the City of Vancouver declared a climate emergency. The declaration acknowledged the need to ramp up the City’s climate actions in line with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Climate Emergency Response outlines six big moves that focus on reducing greenhouse gases emitted through the City’s energy supply, buildings and transportation systems. The sixth big move aims to capture carbon through nature-based solutions like increasing canopy cover. In Vancouver, nearly 60% of carbon pollution comes from burning natural gas for heating and hot water and nearly 40% from transportation. The City is taking action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which will thereby reduce our contribution to ocean acidification.
The City is also addressing pollution and contaminant concerns from road and urban surface runoff affecting water quality through the Rain City Strategy. The strategy set an ambitious performance target to manage a minimum of 90 per cent of Vancouver\'s average annual rainfall volume citywide by capturing and cleaning rainwater from the first 48 mm of rainfall per day. In addition, an implementation target has been set to manage 40 per cent of Vancouver’s impervious surfaces using green infrastructure by 2050 Through green infrastructure, blue-green systems, constructed wetlands and other tools, the City will transform its streets, parks and private property into a water sensitive city and improve the quality of water - entering our receiving waters.
While the City of Vancouver is relatively new in our commitment to address ocean acidification, our commitment to demonstrate leadership and take action on climate and the natural environment is long standing. Ocean acidification will affect us all and the City commits to working collaboratively across all levels of government, organizations and communities to advance our understanding of the problem and seek solutions.