Carbon Neutral Municipal Operations

Our Goal: Carbon Neutral Municipal Operations

 

The Cut the Carbon Program has been launched to create tangible reductions in our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in order to move towards our goal of carbon neutral municipal operations.

 

This year watch for Cut the Carbon projects relating to these four target areas:

  • Making buildings smarter.
  • Greening the fleet.
  • Energy-wise street and traffic lights.
  • Reducing waste.

Cut the Carbon Gallery

Here are some images of some City of Victoria projects that are part of the Cut the Carbon program.

To view the online gallery of more images click here: Cut the Carbon Gallery Display Boards.pdf [PDF - 821 KB]

In The News

CTV Clean Air Day coverage from June 6, 2012.

Why We're Moving Towards Carbon Neutral Operations


The City is committed to being a leader in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and energy use from our municipal operations. Our climate, the health of our community, and the quality of life of our citizens and employees are all interconnected.

In 2007, the City of Victoria joined with other municipalities across the province in signing the British Columbia Climate Action Charter thereby voluntarily committing to a goal of being carbon neutral in municipal operations by 2012.

Our Path to Becoming Carbon Neutral


Carbon neutral means that our operations won't increase the amount of greenhouse gas emissions going into the earth's atmosphere.

Here are the four steps we are taking:
1) Measure: Measuring the total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions generated from our municipal operations. This step is complete and is done annually.
2) Reduce: This spring, City staff are creating strategies for energy use and greenhouse gas reduction in these target areas: building operations, fleet and equipment, traffic and street lights and waste.
3) Offset/Balance: The City will balance its remaining carbon footprint, through investments in one or more local carbon reduction projects such as the new Kitchen Scraps and Garbage program that reduces emissions in our community or through the purchase of certified carbon offsets.
4) Report: The final step is reporting on our energy use and carbon footprint, measuring our savings and talking about our progress towards this goal.

What the City is already doing to "Cut the Carbon":


Making buildings smarter: Motion sensors, timers, energy monitors

Greening the fleet: Reducing our fleet, right-sizing vehicles, replacing older vehicles with electric or hybrid cars and fuel switching to bio-diesel and natural gas. 

Our fleet drivers have recently been through DriveSmart training.  Operating the City's fleet of over 350 vehicles uses about 900,000L of fuel annually and costs nearly $1million, so a saving of even 10% on fuel costs could be substantial and help us in achieving our climate action goals. You can also learn more about how to save money and reduce your fuel use.

Energy-wise street and traffic lights: All traffic lights are LEDS (reducing energy use by 90%), we also have some trial LED street lights

Reducing waste: Organics collection added to recycling programs in City buildings, cement recycling and more. Learn more about our new Recycling and Kitchen Scraps Stations at City Hall and Public Works.