Edmonton chosen Canadian winner in global green city challenge
TORONTO, ONTARIO, March 7, 2014 – The City of Edmonton has been named the Canada’s National Earth Hour Capital by the World Wildlife Fund’s international jury of sustainability experts. Alberta’s provincial capital has been selected, along with 13 other international cities, as country winners in the global Earth Hour City Challenge, a competition celebrating cities taking action to become more sustainable.
“It is an incredible honour to have Edmonton selected as the Earth Hour Capital of Canada,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “Our sustainability efforts have been plentiful and it is reassuring to be recognized by the World Wildlife Fund for our environmental plans and initiatives.”
Edmonton’s ‘The Way We Green’ action plan received high scores for its strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions and save money, while ramping up plans for renewable energy. The jury also recognized Edmonton’s vision for achieving a carbon neutral future and establishing a renewable energy task force to achieve its ambitious goals.
The City of Surrey, B.C. received a special mention for its increased use of renewable energy through innovative waste-to-energy solutions. North Vancouver was also a Canadian finalist, included for its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2107.
“WWF congratulates Edmonton as this year’s Canadian Earth Hour City Challenge winner. The city’s innovative municipal action demonstrates the leadership our country can, and should aspire to on a national scale,” said David Miller, CEO and President, WWF-Canada.
“We also applaud the two other finalists Surrey and the City of North Vancouver, along with the eight Canadian entrants, who are all making meaningful commitments to a greener future.”
WWF invites Canadians to support the impressive efforts all 33 global finalists are making towards sustainability by voting for their favourite city in the We Love Cities people’s choice award.
Winners of the National Earth Hour Capital, Global Earth Hour Capital and the We Love Cities people’s choice will be awarded by the City of Vancouver, which swept these awards in 2013. Representatives from Edmonton and national capital city winners from around the world will also attend the Earth Hour City Challenge Awards dinner in Vancouver on March 27, 2014 and participate in a special green cities session at the Globe 2014 conference.
About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
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Jo Anne Walton
WWF-Canada
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