ClimatePledgeYVR Tops 100 Supporters in Less Than Two Weeks, as Mayor and VEC take City’s Green Agenda on the Road

Mayor and VEC staff visit key American Cities to Showcase Vancouver as the Top Choice for Fast Growing, New Economy Businesses Looking to Attract Today’s Talent

October 8, 2015 (Vancouver, BC)— The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC)’s Climate Pledge has hit its first milestone on the “Road to Paris-COP 21”, with 100 Vancouver-based businesses signing on in just under two weeks to demonstrate their commitment to address climate change internationally, while building a green economy locally. The Climate Pledge hits this mark as Mayor Gregor Robertson joins U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other international Mayors today in Washington, D.C. at the Our Cities, Our Climate summit. Leaders there are championing municipal action and making a united call for climate leadership on a national level ahead of the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP21) this December in Paris.

“Cities are driving the pace by taking action on climate change, and we want others to join Vancouver in delivering a clear message that bold action by national governments is needed,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Vancouver’s Climate Pledge shows that many businesses – 100 in less than two weeks – are supporting this action and willing to speak up ahead of the Paris Climate Summit. Add this to additional work being done by the VEC to drive green growth in our City, and we have an inspiring story we can be proud to tell all over the world.”

The Vancouver Climate Pledge, launched September 27, was the kickoff to several activities planned by the City of Vancouver and the VEC between now and December, to share Vancouver’s leading approach to sustainable economic development, and show the level and range of municipal support that is behind stronger climate change action. In addition to the Mayor’s White House visit this week, the VEC is sharing lessons from the success of Vancouver’ green economy on the West Coast of the United States, presenting thought-leadership on panels and accepting awards on the City’s behalf in Alaska and California.

At the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in Anchorage, Alaska, VEC accepted an award recognizing Vancouver as one of the top 10 North American Cities of the Future. VEC’s Director, Strategic Initiatives and Sector Development, Bryan Buggey presented on the IEDC’s renewable energy panel, highlighting the City’s approach to be the greenest city in the world by 2020, and 100% renewable by 2050 or sooner.

The VEC’s Manager of Green Economy Initiatives, Juvayra Veltkamp, is on a panel at the Urban Land Institute’s fall meeting in San Francisco, California, showcasing False Creek Flats, Vancouver’s Green Economic Zone, soon to be the greenest place to do business in the world.

“Vancouver is increasingly becoming a model for green economic development. Other cities and businesses that know today’s best talent cares about the environment want to know about what we’re doing,” added Bryan Buggey, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Sector Development at the VEC. “With one in twenty Vancouverites working in the green economy, Vancouver is quickly emerging as the leading option to support and grow green enterprises at all stages.”

Vancouver businesses interested in taking the Climate Pledge can do so at www.ClimatePledgeYVR.com. Businesses and the public are encouraged to follow the pledge momentum on social channels using #ClimatePledgeYVR and #GreenEconomy.

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