Vancouver crowned Earth Hour capital by World Wildlife Fund

VANCOUVER – The city of Vancouver has won a victory in its bid to become the greenest city in the world after being crowned the Global Earth Hour Capital 2013 by the World Wildlife Fund.

The city was given the award at a ceremony Tuesday in Malmo, Sweden, beating five other finalists including cities in India, Italy, the U.S., Sweden and Norway, according to a news release from the city of Vancouver.

The Global Earth Hour Capital award recognizes a city taking serious action to address climate change, the release said.

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“Being named the WWF’s Global Earth Hour Capital is an exceptional honour for Vancouver and more international validation of our comprehensive efforts to be the world’s greenest city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson, in the release.

The WWF said, in a separate release, that Vancouver was chosen for its actions on climate change and “dedication to create a sustainable, vibrant urban environment.”

Vancouver was also named the People’s Choice winner, scooping the highest number of online votes.

“Local governments around the world are striving to create attractive, smart cities while tackling a multitude of urgent environmental challenges,” said Jim Leape, director general of WWF International.

“More cities everywhere need to find inspiration in the bold initiatives of Vancouver and the other finalists and build on them, bringing climate action at the scale and speed necessary to secure sustainable, attractive lifestyles for people across the planet.”

The city points to its goals set out in Vancouver’s Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, which include making all new buildings carbon neutral; increasing the number of green jobs in Vancouver; and seeing residents make over 50 per cent of trips by foot, bicycle or transit.