Vancouver: The Challenge of Becoming the Greenest City - Teaching Note

This is the suggested teaching note for the case "Vancouver: The Challenge of Becoming the Greenest City" (IESE, SM-1612-E). The case describes the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, formally launched by the city of Vancouver in 2011, which was intended to make Vancouver the greenest city on the planet. Gregor Robertson, mayor of Vancouver, is the main champion of the ambitious strategic plan. While he has a successful past as a social entrepreneur and has implemented several green urban initiatives as mayor, he struggles with some areas and aspects of the plan. Moreover, a recent report indicated that the city's reputation has suffered. This all happens in the context of imminent elections, and he has doubts about the plan's true value as a valid vehicle for improving quality of life for Vancouver's residents and as a tool for attracting voters.