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A pathway to carbon neutral transportation in Metro Vancouver

As Metro Vancouver’s largest source of greenhouse gases, transportation offers our region its best opportunity to drastically reduce emissions.

Transitioning to electric vehicles, embracing active transportation and public transit, and moving toward cleaner ways to power our trucks, ships, trains, and planes will go a long way toward shaping Metro Vancouver’s low carbon future.

Looking for more detail on our transportation-related strategies?

Download the Climate 2050 Transportation Roadmap

We envision emission-free transportation

By 2050, our everyday movement around Metro Vancouver will be emission-free. Cars will be powered by clean electricity, while large trucks, trains, ships, and planes will use biofuels and low- or zero-emission engines. More residents will live in walkable, bikeable, well-connected, compact communities, and everyone will have access to reliable public transit. In addition, our transportation infrastructure – from sidewalks, bike lanes, and SkyTrain lines to roads, bridges, and ports – will be ready to withstand the effects of our already-changing climate.

Most cars are driven for ten years or more, and the engines in larger vehicles last even longer. So the decisions we make now will determine our emissions well into the future.

Our commitment: A region that is both carbon-neutral and resilient to the changing climate by 2050.

Today, 40% of our region’s emissions come from transportation

Transportation is key to our region’s fight against climate change. In fact, the movement of people and goods – whether by car, truck, train, plane, or boat – is the largest source of greenhouse gases in Metro Vancouver. The contributor of more than 85% of these transportation-related emissions? The fossil fuels we use to drive our 1.5 million cars and 40,000 trucks.

To achieve our target of emission-free transportation – and eliminate 30% of the region’s overall emissions – we need to shift away from fossil fuels to electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Addressing climage change is a 2-part process

Reducing greenhouse gases with zero-emission vehicles.

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

Expected climate change impacts

Expected Climate Change Impacts

Our goals: emission-free transportation and resilient infrastructure by 2050

These 6 strategies are helping us reach our goals:

Thinking beyond the region

Metro Vancouver is a key transport hub. So meeting our goals means ensuring the resilience of our ports, airports, highways, and rail lines, and reducing the emissions that come from the ships, planes, trucks, and trains that move in and out of the region. Despite the challenges – like the lack of affordable zero-emission technologies for large vessels and the need for national and international co-operation – we’re making inroads. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, for example, is working to reduce shipping-related pollution, while the Vancouver International Airport Authority is electrifying airport operations. At the same time, Harbour Air has introduced the world’s first 100% electric commercial plane, and BC Ferries operates several hybrid ships, ready to run fully electric once on-shore charging stations are in place.

Real-life solutions that work

Intentional land use

By shaping our neighbourhoods into complete, compact communities and developing a reliable transit network to connect key destinations, we can make walking and cycling more appealing, car trips more efficient, and public transportation more convenient. And by positioning new infrastructure (like transit routes, terminals, and bike lanes) outside of areas susceptible to flooding and other hazards, we’ll better withstand the effects of the changing climate.

Zero-emission vehicles

Because electricity in British Columbia 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.

What can I do?

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 gas – whether that means walking more, tuning up your old bike, taking the bus, or ride sharing.

Ready to make a bigger move? If you’re able to switch to a plug-in electric hybrid, you’ll drastically reduce your fossil fuel consumption; upgrade to a fully electric vehicle and you’ll completely eliminate your car’s emissions.

Today, more than 70% of all trips in the region are made by car – usually with a single occupant.

Emission-free transportation benefits everyone

We know that implementing the necessary changes will require determination, financial investment, collaboration, and a focus on social equity. But we’re committed to ensuring that the results will benefit us all.

By transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, we’ll dramatically reduce our region’s contribution to climate change and improve our air quality. Individually, we’ll each see the cost savings and improved health that walking, cycling and riding transit will bring. At the same time, creating a transportation system that’s more resilient to the impacts of climate change will be a big boost to the economy, creating thousands of jobs.

Metro Vancouver’s Climate 2050 strategy brings local context to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals, which are intended to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. Our Transportation Roadmap aligns with the UN’s 11th goal, aimed at making all human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Transportation is one of Metro Vancouver’s ten Climate 2050 priorities

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Transportation

A pathway to carbon neutral transportation in Metro Vancouver​

​​We envision emission-free transportation​​