Last week I shared a link on my Facebook page for you to vote for Surrey, BC in the WWF 2013 Earth Hour City Challenge and wanted to share some more information with you about the publicity Surrey is getting for our green initiatives.
A total of 66 cities from around the world participated in this year’s challenge and submitted their plans for low carbon development in their area and their strategies for increasing renewable energy use.
Congratulations Surrey! We were selected as one of the 17 finalists. We are only one of three Canadian cities to be selected along with Vancouver and Colwood, BC (southwest of Victoria on Vancouver Island). Other finalists are located in India, Italy, Norway Sweden and the US.
The requirements of the competition were to submit credible urban development plans that are designed to increase the city’s total use of renewable energy. These plans and supporting data are reviewed by an International Jury and development plans for building, transport, energy and food systems will all be critiqued.
By being a top contender Surrey, BC shows that it has plans to become a greener and cleaner city with the end goal of improving living standards for its residents … making Surrey a great place to live, work and play. What else makes Surrey sustainable?
Surrey Sustainability Charter
This charter provides a framework for implementing a 50 year vision for a sustainable city based on 56 different actions. Progress reports show that Surrey is making good headway at reducing our carbon footprint, increasing energy efficiency as well as implementing innovative and sustainable programs. There are 87 different sustainability indicators to measure performance targets.
Surrey’s District Energy System
The new Surrey city hall construction is going to meet LEED Gold certification and be the hub for Surrey’s new pedestrian friendly downtown center. The City Centre Library will feature a renewable energy geothermal heating and cooling system.
Clean Energy Hub
Surrey’s Mayor’s Clean Energy Advisory Network is helping to achieve Surrey’s vision of becoming a clean energy hub with strategies such as business development and incubation for clean energy companies plus developing local skills and training. There are currently 24 demonstration projects planned to make this vision a reality.
It’s Time to Vote Surrey
It’d be great to see all of Surrey’s efforts recognized by WWF in the Earth Hour City Challenge this year.
Voting is taking place right … be sure to Vote for Surrey! The winner – titled the Earth Hour Capital – along with a capital for each running country will be announced in March 2013.
Instagram Alert! You can submit pictures of our beautiful city of Surrey and help others learn more about us and how we are working together to create a sustainable future. Use our city’s hashtag #peopleschoiceSUR. What inspires you about Surrey? Share it with the world!
