Environment | November 18, 2020
Today, General Committee received the City’s Green Fleet and Equipment Policy and Electric Vehicle Charging Station Standard in its efforts towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 as part of the City’s Climate Change Action Plan.
“As we move forward with our Climate Change Action Plan, it’s vital we make necessary changes within our organization to be more sustainable,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Having this policy in place will allow us to lead by example and take real action in the fight against climate change.”
The Green Fleet and Equipment Policy will prioritize investment in low and zero-emissions fleet, equipment and infrastructure; the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Standard will guide the installation of electric vehicle chargers on City property.
“In 2017, we found that 78 per cent of Corporate emissions come from the City’s fleet and equipment. We need to make drastic changes if we want to reduce 40 per cent of the City’s GHGs by 2030,” said Jodi Robillos, Director, Parks, Forestry and Environment. “This policy is a critical first step that lays the foundation for staff. It prioritizes the purchase of low or zero-emissions fleet and equipment, as well as improves the use of our existing fleet and equipment. Greening our fleet and equipment could lead to a 28 per cent reduction in Corporate GHG emissions and will help us reach our reduction target of 40 per cent by 2030.”
The Green Fleet and Equipment Policy and Electric Vehicle Charging Station Standard will also complement other City efforts in reducing GHG emissions and improving air quality – the Idling Control By-law and the Unnecessary Vehicle Idling policy.
Robillos added, “This policy will prioritize the electrification of the City’s fleet and equipment in a way that is sustainable and meets our operational needs. We will work to make investments in zero-emissions technologies, such as electric vehicles, which will be phased in over time. Between 2020 to 2030, there is an opportunity to replace more than 50 per cent of our light-duty fleet and equipment, all of Fire’s support vehicles and almost all of MiWay’s fleet, which includes buses and support vehicles.”
In December 2019, Council approved the City’s Climate Change Action Plan. The plan has two goals – reduce 80 per cent of Mississauga’s GHG emissions by 2050 and increase resilience and the capacity for the City to withstand and respond to climate events.
The Green Fleet and Equipment Policy will go to Council next week for approval.
Learn more about the City’s Climate Change Action Plan, Green Fleet and Equipment Policy and Electric Vehicle Charging Station Standard.
. Did someone in Comms set up a linktree for us to use at some point?