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Energy

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A pathway to clean, ren​ewable and resilient energy in Metro Vancouver

​​The vast majority of our region’s greenhouse gas emissions stem from our use of fossil fuels as an energy source.

Reducing our energy use, increasing our energy efficiency and replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy, like electricity, will go a long way toward shaping Metro Vancouver’s low-carbon future.​​​​

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​Looking for more de​tail on our energy​-related strategies?

Download the ​Climate 2​050 Energy Roadmap​​​​
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​​We envision 100% clean energy​​

By 2050, we will have substantially reduced our energy use, thanks to walkable urban centres, reliable public transport, energy-efficient buildings and cleaner manufacturing. The energy that we do use will come from 100% clean and renewable sources rather than fossil fuels — most buildings and vehicles will be electrified, while large trucks and industry will be powered by district energy systems, low carbon hydrogen, and biofuels. In addition, our energy infrastructure will be resilient and reliable, ready to withstand the effects of our already-changing climate.

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Our commitment: A region that is both carbon-neutral and resilient to the changing climate by 2050.
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​​​​Today, 90% of​ our region’s emissions stem from our use of fossil fuels

Energy powers our region’s economy and our daily lives. But almost three-quarters of the energy we use today to heat and cool our homes, drive our vehicles, run our buildings and operate industry, comes from fossil fuels — primarily gasoline, diesel, and natural gas. And it’s these fossil fuels that are responsible for most of Metro Vancouver’s greenhouse gas emissions.

To achieve our target of emission-free energy and eliminate 90% of the region’s overall emissions, we need to shift away from fossil fuels to clean electricity, low-carbon hydrogen, and biofuels.​​​​
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Addressing climage change is a two-part process


Reducing greenhouse gases by using clean, renewable energy

Reducing greenhouse gases by using clean, renewable energy

Adapting to the irreversible effects of climate change with a more resilient transportation network.

Adapting to the irreversible effects of climate change with resilient energy infrastructure


Expected climate change impacts​

​ Our energy system is made up of a complex network of pipelines, compressor stations, fuelling stations, power lines, electrical substations and voltage transformers – which were not always designed to withstand the impacts of climate change.

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​​Movi​​​​ng beyond​ fossil fuels

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​​​Moving beyond fossil fuels​  ​​​​​​​
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Electricity is a prio​rity pathway as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. 98% of BC electricity is low- or zero-carbon, generated from water, wind, and other renewable sources.​​

Low-carbon hydrogen offers a viable option in difficult-to-electrify cases – like certain industrial processes and heavy-duty transportation. When pr​oduced using BC electricity, hydrogen can be clean, renewable and zero-emission.

Biofuels​ like vegetable oil-based renewable diesel, and renewable natural gas made from waste offer another cleaner alternative. The plants used to make biofuels absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, offsetting the GHGs emitted during combustion.

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What about natural gas?​

Fossil natural gas (often known as natural gas) is a fossil fuel composed mainly of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Produced largely through hydraulic fracturing (fracking), natural gas is responsible for 32% o​f our region’s GHG emissions. ​​
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About the e​​​​​​nergy transition

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Types of e​​nergy​
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Increasing the use of electricity​

Resources and a​​dditional i​nformation​
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Our goals: emission-free transportation and resilient infrastructure by 2050

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​These ​six strategies are helping us reach our goals:

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Real-life solu​​​tions that work


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Zero-emission vehicles  
Zero-emission vehicles

Because BC electricity is largely generated by hydropower, it offers a renewable and emission-free way to fuel our region’s cars. For large trucks, ships, trains and aircraft – where heavier loads, longer distances and higher costs make electrification more challenging – zero-emission “green” hydrogen technologies are​ emerging. In the meantime, low-carbon, plant-based biofuels – including vegetable oil-based biodiesel, corn- and sugar cane-based ethanol and renewable natural gas made from decomposing waste – provide a short-term solution.

Cleaner industry​​  ​
Cleaner industry

Some industrial processes, like cement manufacturing, produce significant emissions but aren’t well suited to electrification. In these cases, switching from high-carbon ​fuel, like coal, to low-carbon biofuel, like renewable natural gas, provides a feasible way to displace fossil fuels and reduce GHG emissions.

Heat pumps​​  
He​at pumps​
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Installing high-efficiency electric hea​​ting and cooling equipment – like heat pumps – is usually the quickest, most economical and most permanent way to achiev​e a zero-emission building. In the winter, a heat pump w​arms your house by bringing heat indoors from the ground or outside air. In the summer, it pulls heat from inside and moves it outside. At the same time, the heat pump filters indoor air, making buildings more resilient to smoky air from wildfires.

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​​​​​What ca​​​​n I do?​​​

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While reaching our goals will require a number of large, structural changes, there are also things that we can do on an individual level every day. Most importantly, use less energy – whether that means air-drying your clothes, taking shorter showers or simply walking rather than driving.

Ready to make a bigger move? If you’re a homeowner, put in high-efficiency appliances, install a heat pump or invest in home-based solar power. If you own a car, consider replacing it with a plug-in electric hybrid to drastically reduce your fossil fuel consumption, or upgrade to a fully electric vehicle to completely eliminate your driving-related emissions.

Cleaner thermostat  

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Energy is one of Metro Vancouver’s ten Climate 2050 priorities.

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