Is Vancouver the greenest city on the planet?

Birthplace of Greenpeace and home to an airline that’s just successfully tested the world’s first all-electric plane, Canada’s west coast wonder brims with next-level eco-credentials, says Mike MacEacheran

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Canadians are a caring bunch. Not only did they give us maple syrup, heart-warming poutine, ice hockey and Celine Dion, but they’ve been responsible for some of the most forward-thinking, green initiatives the world has ever seen. Greenpeace was born nearly 50 years ago in Vancouver back in 1971, and the evironmental charity has inspired holidaymakers to rethink travel without killing the planet ever since.

Fittingly, Vancouver has continued to lead the world in urban sustainability and its latest brainstorming solution is emission-free flying. Last month, Canadian floatplane operator Harbour Air successfully flew the world’s first all-electric commercial aircraft, with CEO and founder Greg McDougall piloting the prototype on a three-minute flight from Vancouver International South Terminal. The plan for the 53-strong fleet – one that’s already carbon-free, making it the largest carrier of its kind in North America – is to be completely battery-powered by summer 2022.