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Vision and Goals
Strategy 1.1
Strategy 1.2
Strategy 1.3
Strategy 1.4
Strategy 1.5
Strategy 2.1
Strategy 2.2
Strategy 3.1
Strategy 3.2
Strategy 3.3
Strategy 3.4
Strategy 3.5
Performance Measures

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Burrard Inlet Area Local Air Quality Study
Climate Smart
Diesel Emissions
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Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan 

Metro Vancouver adopted the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (IAQGGMP) in October 2011.

 Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan

The IAQGGMP sets the following vision, goals, strategies, actions and performance measures for the region:
Vision: Healthy, clean and clear air for current and future generations.

Goal 1: Protect human health and the environment
Reducing emissions of particulate matter (including diesel particulate matter) and its precursors, as well as ozone precursors from the major sources in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed will protect the health of Metro Vancouver residents and the environment. The following strategies and actions will achieve this goal.
Strategy 1.1 Reduce emissions of and public exposure to diesel particulate matter
Strategy 1.2 Reduce air contaminant emissions from industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) and agricultural sources at both the regional and local level
Strategy 1.3 Reduce air contaminant emissions from residential sources
Strategy 1.4 Reduce air contaminant emissions from cars trucks and buses
Strategy 1.5 Increase public understanding of air quality issues and public engagement in clean air programs

Goal 2: Improve visual air quality
Visual air quality refers to our ability or inability to see through the atmosphere as a result of air quality conditions, excluding those associated with meteorological conditions like fog or rain. Reducing emissions of particulate matter and other contaminants, such as ammonia, that lead to secondary fine particulate matter formation, will improve visual air quality. Improving the clarity of views in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed will improve the well-being of residents and benefit the tourism industry. The following strategies and actions will achieve this goal.

Strategy 2.1 Reduce emissions of air contaminants and precursors that can degrade visual air quality
Strategy 2.2 Develop a visual air quality management program for the Lower Fraser Valley airshed in partnership with other government agencies

Goal 3: Minimize the region’s contribution to global climate change
Reducing the region’s greenhouse gas emissions will minimize our contribution to global climate change. Local actions are imperative to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and mitigate global climate change. In the process we can make the region more efficient and improve the quality of life for residents by reducing our exposure to common air contaminants, reducing the negative effects of rising global energy prices, and supporting the development of a regional green economy. The following strategies and actions will achieve this goal.

Strategy 3.1 Reduce emissions of short-lived climate forcers
Strategy 3.2 Support the region’s municipalities, businesses and residents to reduce their carbon footprints


Strategy 3.3 Reduce the carbon footprint of the region’s transportation system
Strategy 3.4 Explore opportunities for carbon sequestration
Strategy 3.5 Increase public understanding of climate change issues and encourage personal action
The IAQGGMP also sets performance measures which will be used to monitor progress toward the Plan’s goals over the next decade.
Performance Measures
This set of performance measures will provide help Metro Vancouver track progress and identify areas for improvement.

Adaptive Management
Implementation of the strategies and actions in the IAQGGMP will be reflected in annual work programs and budgets, and the annual Action Plan under the Sustainability Framework. Metro Vancouver will develop and periodically update an implementation framework in collaboration with its partners. A progress report will be prepared every two years and the Plan will be reviewed every five years.

A key feature of the IAQGGMP is adaptive management – monitoring progress, identifying challenges and finding solutions to overcome those challenges. Through monitoring, assessment and collaboration with partners, Metro Vancouver will continue to adapt its programs in response to technological advance, changing regulatory regimes, air quality episodes, and other issues.

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