As the destination marketing organization for Vancouver, respect and stewardship of our spectacular natural setting is important to us. That's why we're working to put practices and programs in place to ensure we're conscious of our environmental footprint while doing our job to position Vancouver as one of the top travel destinations worldwide. It's not easy, and the choices aren't always black and white, but ensuring environmental consideration is important to us.

Says Tourism Vancouver president & CEO Rick Antonson, "Having such a spectacular destination means that we're no strangers to getting out and truly enjoying our environment, and we understand that we need to make a commitment to preserving it."

"Given the nature of our business, the tourism industry has often been at the forefront of environmental responsibility. This is the right thing to do for the environment. We encourage all of our industry colleagues and partners to take steps in this direction."

We're learning and know we still have work to do, to build tourism in a way that celebrates and respects the mountains, oceans and forests that we're so fortunate to have and be able to share with the world. Here are some of the steps we're taking as we begin our journey.

Tourism Vancouver Commits To "Greening" All of Its Flights

Tourism Vancouver has committed to greening all of its air travel with the purchase of carbon offset credits through Uniglobe Advance Travel's Green Flight program. It was the first program of its type in Canada, and Tourism Vancouver was the first destination marketing organization to commit to offsetting all of their flights through the program.

Carbon offset funds are invested in sustainable green energy projects in Western Canada that have been approved by the federal government. The organization offsets flights taken by staff traveling for sales and marketing business, but also those flights purchased to bring travel influencer clients, customers and media to Vancouver.

Through Tourism Vancouver's partnership with Uniglobe, meeting planners can also offer their delegates the opportunity to purchase carbon offset credits for their flight to their Vancouver meeting or convention.

Green Printing

We're now printing a majority of our brochures and marketing materials on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified stock, ensuring that the paper we're using is sourced from responsibly managed forests. Certified forests promise environmental sustainability, economic benefits for local people, respect for First Nations' rights and compliance with all local and international laws. E-marketing has become increasingly important in reducing the emphasis on printed materials.

It's About Partnership

Tourism Vancouver is also proud to partner with like-minded industry leaders like Metropolitan Fine Printers, an official sponsor of Tourism Vancouver and winner of numerous awards for environmental innovation and printing practices.

It Starts From the Inside Out

Tourism Vancouver has a staff-championed Green Team that looks at all possible ways to be green friendly in our working space, from organic fair trade coffee to double-sided printing and recycling. Tourism Vancouver's administration office and flagship Visitor Centre is located in a building that has achieved BOMA "Go Green" certification. The Green Team meet regularly and are encouraged to participate in environmental seminars and education opportunities.

The organization also incorporates green considerations into its human resource practices. Employees of Tourism Vancouver are eligible for an annual subsidy to promote environmentally sustainable commuting choices. The organization also participates in the Employer Pass program run by local transit provider Translink. Where possible, Tourism Vancouver employees are able to work a set number of days from home per month, reducing carbon emissions produced by commuting to the office.

It Takes an Industry

Greenpeace was started in Vancouver and is the place the David Suzuki Foundationcalls home. Vancouver's tourism community also thinks green. From hotels to our expanding Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (VCEC), green considerations are always present.

The VCEC's expansion, set to complete in spring 2009, will create an ecologically-friendly 'living roof' covered with 400,000 species of indigenous plants, along with an extensive environmental management program incorporating co-mingled recycling, energy conservation strategies, and food and beverage management. Located on Vancouver's spectacular harbour, the facility has already received environmental awards for innovations such as a system to protect marine wildlife.

Most of Vancouver's hotels are British Columbia Hydro Power Smart partners or US Green Building Council certified.

The City of Vancouver requires environmentally-friendly practices in city planning including the preservation of green space, community gardens, designated bike routes and their own use of the smallest possible vehicles including Smart Cars.

Spearheaded by the Vancouver Aquarium, the Ocean Wise conservation program helps restaurants and market partners make environmentally-responsible seafood choices by taking endangered and low stalk species off menus as well as encouraging selection of seafood harvested using sustainable fishing practices.