Vancouver signs fossil-fuel-free streets declaration
Vancouver has joined 11 other global cities in signing a pledge to transition to fossil-fuel-free streets by 2030.
Mayor Gregor Robertson signed the C40 Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets Declaration, which carries a commitment to only buy zero-emission buses by 2025 and ensure the “major areas” of their cities are free of fossil fuel emissions by 2030.
To meet this commitment, the mayors promised to:
n Transform cities through people-friendly planning policies;
n Increase the rates of walking, cycling and the use of public and shared transport accessible to all citizens;
n Reduce the number of polluting vehicles on streets and transition away from vehicles powered by fossil fuels;
n Lead by example by procuring zero-emission vehicles for city fleets as quickly as possible;
n Collaborate with suppliers, fleet operators and businesses to accelerate the shift to zero-emissions vehicles and reduce vehicle miles in cities;
n Publicly report every two years on the progress the cities are making.
The declaration is in line with policy already being pursued in Vancouver.
The city has proposed to turn Gastown, along with parts of Robson, Mainland and Hamilton streets, into future “pedestrian priority areas” as part of the city’s Transportation 2040 plan, and TransLink introduced electric-powered buses for a three-month trial in May.