After going through a rigorous selection process that lasted several months, Vancouver was today named Global Earth Hour Capital 2013 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) at a ceremony in Malmo, Sweden.
Out of 66 entrants from six countries around the world, an international jury that included Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, chose Vancouver as the winner of this green city competition.
"What they were particularly impressed with, with Vancouver, were things like the transportation systems, the urban food systems and the city's building designs," Darcy Dobell, VP of conservation and pacific for WWF Canada, told Business in Vancouver, explaining that both present and planned programs were taken into consideration.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said, "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.
"Even as national governments fail to act, it's essential that cities continue to lead the way in confronting climate change, and Vancouver's progress demonstrates that building a greener city also fosters a stronger local economy."
