Talk Green Vancouver | City of Vancouver

Vancouver’s air quality is currently good compared to that of other major North American cities. Our air quality is better than it was 20 years ago; however, health impacts still occur at current levels and as the population of the city increases it may be challenging to maintain our current air quality. Cars, trucks, buses, ships, trains, planes, residences, industrial operations, and commercial facilities all emit air pollutants. The Air Quality Draft Plan identifies the range of strategies and actions that the City of Vancouver must pursue in partnership with Metro Vancouver and other levels of government, business, and its citizens to maintain and improve air quality. As the City’s population and goods transportation both grow, it may be difficult to improve, or even maintain, our air quality. Many sources of air contaminants (such as marine vessels, trucks or heavy industries) are under the jurisdiction of either Federal or Provincial Government or Metro Vancouver, so successful emissions reductions will require continued leadership from all our partners. Many sources that emit air pollutants also emit greenhouse gases and ensuring that the actions taken reduce both simultaneously is imperative- gains made in greenhouse gas reductions cannot be at the expense of air quality.