Fast Facts & Stats: Low Carbon Communities
The following urban communities have either begun or are well on the way to significantly reduce their carbon footprints. This list is far from comprehensive and must be views as a start with more communities to come.
Content
Funded by all three levels of government, the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation came into being in 2001 to put Canada at the forefront of global cities in the 21st Century. The 30 year mission is to transform the waterfront into beautiful, accessible new communities, parks and public spaces, fostering economic growth in knowledge-based, creative industries and, ultimately, redefining how the city, province, and country are perceived by the world. Its goal is to be environmentally sustainable as well. The following are just a few of the TWRC’s targets.
-
Reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. 40% less CO2 emissions per capita than current average by 2025. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/dbdocs//4a1fe4722fcae.pdf
-
All residences within 350m of a LRT, street car or bus stop. One bicycle storage space or parking space per 100m2 residential space. Six bicycling parking spaces and one show per 1000m2 commercial space. 75% of children living and attending school on-site using alternatives to cars and buses for travelling to school. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/dbdocs//4a1fe4722fcae.pdf
-
All new buildings designed between 2005-2007 will conform to LEED gold certification; consideration will be given to all new buildings conforming to LEED Platinum from 2008 onwards. All new residential buildings will incorporate roof gardens, balcony gardens and/or community gardening plots. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/dbdocs//4a1fe4722fcae.pdf
-
30-35% coverage of site with trees. 25% of waterfront area devoted to new and improved parks and open space (over 200 hectares). 80% of all restoration plantings on publicly owned gardens and landscaped areas are native to Southern Ontario; remaining 20% must be non-invasive species. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/dbdocs//4a1fe4722fcae.pdf
-
Per capita waste disposal target of 200kg/person/year. 75% of lumber from sustainable plantations or recycled sources. 25% of building materials from recycled or renewable sources. Zero transport of leaves and organic waste from the Toronto Waterfront. http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/dbdocs//4a1fe4722fcae.pdf
-
In 2009, the City of Vancouver committed to making efforts to be “the greenest city on earth” by 2020, through integration of sustainable practices in business, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and http://vancouver.ca/sustainability/ The following are Vancouver’s sustainability goals for 2020, which incorporate goals for sustainable business, green communities, and human health: create 20,000 green jobs; reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 33% below 2007 levels; all new construction carbon neutral; improve current building efficiency by 20%; make over 50% of trips by foot, bicycle, or public transit; reduce solid waste going to landfill or incinerator by 40%; everyone will live within a five minute walk from a park, beach, or greenspace; reduce per capita ecological footprint by 33%; improve water quality and reduce water consumption per capita by 33%; meet the highest standards for air quality in any major city in the world. http://vancouver.ca/greenestcity/PDF/Vancouver2020-ABrightGreenFuture.pdf
- Whistler 2020 is a sustainability commitment that Whistler has made to achieve key sustainability goals by the year 2020, and is the first comprehensive sustainability plan in North America to use the Natural Step framework at every stage of development and implementation. Whistler 2020 was part of an Early Adopter program, developed as a collaboration between the municipality and The Natural Step, with public engagement at every step, to ensure that the vision suits the needs and visions of the community. http://www.whistler2020.ca/whistler/site/genericPage.acds?instanceid=1967751&context=1930511
Contact Us
Send to a Friend
