Greater Victoria Regional Green Economy Initiative (2013)
About the Project
This project and forthcoming report are the result of a collaborative effort between GLOBE and the City of Victoria, MITACS, the University of Victoria, and Vancity. GLOBE provided strategic insights on key opportunities and challenges within the region and helped shape recommendations. The research and recommendations are intended to inform and support broad, inclusive, and multi-stakeholder efforts across the region.
Greater Victoria Green Economy Initiative (2013)
Based on five months of research involving 97 interviews and 200 online surveys, the report describes successful green economy examples and models. It also recommends actions to spur green economy innovation at our local, small city scale in sectors that are unique to this region’s resources and economy.
Key Findings
The report identifies development opportunities within the regional green economy including:
- Global market opportunities through the export of goods, services, and processes, including to the US, China, and India;
- Capitalizing on existing green success stories, which can provide an opportunity to enhance the region’s reputation, increase its recognition at the international level, and set new norms;
- Greater food security and increased food culture on the island;
- Local economic sustainability and resiliency;
- Access to federal and provincial funding in an organized way; and
- Maximizing the benefits of changes in public policy in order to develop improved infrastructure throughout the region.
The report also highlights new green economic development initiatives in the region involving:
- Increased information-sharing, networking, and coordination of events and meetings between key stakeholder groups;
- A new green restaurant district on Blanshard Street;
- A “green certification” program for small and medium-sized local businesses;
- A renewed focus on sustainable tourism and related marketing;
- An “EcoHouse” and building retrofits model;
- A neighbourhood revitalization and food security program at Oaklands;
- The development of options for a region-wide green economy hub that would provide information and support to local efforts; and
- Social entrepreneurship and social innovation incubators.