Host: City of Vancouver Sustainability Group (Renewable City Strategy)
Vancouver has set an ambitious goal to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels before 2050. We know that this will take time and will take the combined efforts of residents and business across the city and beyond. Join us for an interactive session exploring how to envision what a 100% renewable energy city looks like and how to make this vision a reality. Conference participants will start with a walking tour of the Olympic Village neighbourhood, taking in the scenery while hearing about ways residents are saving energy and building community. The City of Vancouver will share its engagement strategy for an ambitious and achievable 30-year plan to cut carbon pollution by at least 80% and transition to 100% renewable energy before 2050 by targeting the biggest sources of carbon pollution in Vancouver – buildings and transportation. The conversation will be enhanced by presentations by Empower Me, and ClimateSmart as well as an opportunity for participants’ own experiences with shifting energy demand and fostering behaviour change in other areas. Afterwards, participants are welcome to explore the Olympic Village and False Creek area on their own, by foot, bicycle or water taxi.
Empower Me engages tight-knit, culturally diverse communities that have traditionally been difficult for utilities and local governments to reach - saving households an average of $200 in annual utility bills. This award-winning program both guides and measures behaviour change, delivering messaging around energy efficiency, water usage, recycling, safety and health. Mentors – trusted community peers – visit homeowners in the comfort of their own homes, speaking their language to help them access and understand the abundant resources, tools and information available to them. http://www.empowermeprogram.com
