Vancouver
Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability
Climate Action Plan - Natural Climate Solutions
14234
Executive summary
- In November 2020, Council directed staff to report back with nature-based carbon sequestration targets and recommended pilot projects. Nature-based carbon sequestration refers to natural biological processes that capture carbon from the atmosphere into living systems.
- The following report proposes an interim nature-based carbon sequestration target and associated quick-start actions for natural climate solutions (NCS) inside city boundaries.
- To achieve long term success, NCS will be advanced as a policy direction in the Vancouver Plan, with additional information to be brought forward in 2022 as part of that plan.
- This report also recommends to work with partners, including First Nations and other levels of government, to develop a target and action plan for NCS projects located outside the city boundaries
Climate implications
- As noted throughout the report, the environmental benefits of natural climate solutions are numerous.
- NCS can restore and enhance biodiversity, and aquatic and terrestrial habitat.
- NCS can improve water quality and reduce the amount of combined sewer overflows.
- Healthy, resilient ecosystems are best able to thrive under the pressures of climate change and climate related disasters.