Mayor Sim pushes amendment to allow natural gas in new construction as staff report Vancouver is off track to meet City’s target to reduce carbon pollution by 50 percent by 2030, based on recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“It’s ironic and depressing that, as the news media highlights evacuations of BC towns due to climate-caused forest fires, and scientists confirm that Earth just experienced the hottest day ever recorded on the heels of 13 straight months of unprecedented temperatures, Vancouver’s ABC majority voted to roll-back the city’s climate action plan,” says Green Councillor Adriane Carr.

An end-of-day amendment to Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan by ABC councillor Brian Montague resolving that Council “allow natural gas for heating and hot water in new construction” reverses construction industry and climate science work to decarbonize new buildings, meet provincial code requirements, and save homeowners money on energy bills. “Staff have made it clear that decarbonizing new buildings is the smartest climate action. The use of fossil fuels to heat space and hot water accounts for 55% of Vancouver’s carbon emissions,” added Carr.

In response to a narrative about housing affordability raised by several ABC Councillors, staff clarified that BC Hydro is introducing measures to equitably spread the costs of new supply connections to all ratepayers, plus noted that decarbonization of the Western Interconnection grid from California to British Columbia with solar and hydro power makes electricity the reliable, affordable, and cleaner choice. Staff added that although building a net zero carbon home may initially cost more, the lower operating costs offset that investment.  

“What’s clear from what ABC are describing as their ‘strategic move’, is that space and water heating with fossil fuels may be dirtier, and more expensive for households in the long run – but allow bigger profits for Sim’s developer friends” suggests Green Councillor Pete Fry. “I can’t say I’m surprised, though, since Vancouver taxpayers have been contracting strategic advice to the mayor’s office from Wellington Advocacy, the Conservative-connected Alberta lobby group behind the self-styled ‘Energy War Room’.” 

The ABC caucus was not unanimous in its vote. Councillors Dominato and Meiszner voted with Councillors Carr, Boyle and Fry against Montague’s amendment. With only ten councillors present, a tied vote would have failed. So, at the last minute, Mayor Sim, who hasn’t been at Council meetings for over a month and was not present at Council all day, showed up on-line to cast the deciding vote for Montague’s amendment and against a climate-smart city.

“What a dinosaur move,” says Carr.

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Green Party of Vancouver