City of Kelowna

City of Kelowna

Global Goals, Local Action: Kelowna’s Voluntary Local Review

Insights of the Report

This report, prepared in partnership with the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) and Global Empowerment Coalition of the Central Okanagan (GECCO), aims to better understand how the Community of Kelowna has aligned local efforts with the global 2030 Agenda.

The goal of this project was to review Kelowna’s progress towards achieving the 17 SDGs as outlined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In conducting one of Canada’s first Voluntary Local Reviews (VLR), BCCIC identified targets and indicators that were within the city’s priorities and abilities to effect change. Identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities relevant to each of the 17 SDGs, this VLR project supports the advancement of sustainability in the community and highlights the important role that cities play in meeting global agendas.

City Profile

Kelowna originates from the word meaning grizzly bear in the language spoken by the Syilx/Okanagan People. The region has a diversified economy, with employment opportunities in health care, construction, agriculture, technology and tourism.

For thousands of years the Syilx/Okanagan People lived as a nation in the Okanagan valley with their own economy, systems of permaculture and education, and systems of governance. The first European settlement took place in 1859 and in 1905 Kelowna became a city.

Kelowna has undergone rapid change since its beginnings, which is evident in the development around the hills surrounding this narrow valley in the central British Columbia plateau. Climate change has had an impact on forest fires and flooding risk, and has increased pressures on the dry and sheltered valley. Rapidly increasing population, a growing knowledge economy (with two main institutions of higher education), and high demand for housing characterise the area. Known for its natural beauty and enticing environment, there is a small but growing movement of community concern for maintaining a sustainable, inclusive and equitable quality of life for all of the area's inhabitants.

The Report and more

The VLR report is available here:
Global Goals, Local Action: Kelowna’s Voluntary Local Review