Sustainability Journey

Origin of the Sustainability Plan

The City of Whitehorse has had an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan since 2007, guiding infrastructure investment, as required under the 2005-2015 Gas Tax Agreement. 

As a follow-up to the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, the City developed a Strategic Sustainability Plan in 2008, which engaged the community on values and issues beyond infrastructure. The Strategic Sustainability Plan was integrated into the 2010 Official Community Plan, and many specific actions were implemented.

The current Sustainability Plan, updated in 2015, is intended to reflect aspirations for the entire city and community, while providing the basis for future actions that can be realistically accomplished by the City. The Sustainability Plan forms a stronger basis for decision-making, operational improvements, and partnership-building. 

Milestones in the City’s Sustainability Journey

2002 

• The City of Whitehorse endorses the Kyoto Protocol 
• The Official Community Plan (OCP) emphasizes sustainability 

• The City develops a Local Action Plan (LAP) to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions as part of the Partners for Climate Protection Program 

• Whitehorse Moves Transportation Showcase results in infrastructure improvements

• Award-winning Whistle Bend Sustainable Neighbourhood Design charrette 
• Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for gas tax funding is written

• The Whitehorse Strategic Sustainability Plan is adopted by City Council 
• Feasibility study of district heating system in Whistle Bend 
• Comprehensive Zoning for Takhini North, Stan McCowan, Ingram and Whistle Bend is developed 

• The City moves collection of organics and waste to a standardized cart system 
• Begin development of a Climate Change Adaptation Plan with local partners 
• Amendments to Building and Plumbing Bylaw make Whitehorse the most progressive jurisdiction in energy efficiency requirements 

• 2010 Official Community Plan is based on the Strategic Sustainability Plan 
• The City’s Transit fleet becomes 100% accessible 
• Sustainability 2010 Bi-annual Report

• City completes the Partners for Climate Protection Program with the completion of Milestone 5 
• Sustainability 2012 Bi-Annual Report (full version) / (summary)

• Energy Management Plan 
• Solid Waste Action Plan

• Transportation Demand Management Plan adopted
• Robert Campbell Bridge improvements for cyclists and pedestrians
• Solid Waste Action Plan implementation begins, resulting in new requirements and services for waste diversion 

2015

• Whitehorse Sustainability Plan update is adopted

2016

• Read about how the City of Whitehorse progressed its sustainability targets in the 2016 Whitehorse Sustainability Plan Monitoring Report

2018

• Read about how the City of Whitehorse progressed its sustainability targets in the 2018 Whitehorse Sustainability Plan Monitoring Report