Corporate emissions below energy targets in 2022
Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York’s total corporate greenhouse gas emissions continued to stay below emissions targets for 2022 set in the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan. In 2022, corporate emissions totaled just over 70,000 tonnes, which is below the 80,000 tonnes emissions target.
“As demand for programs and services return, it is more important than ever for York Region to remain on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “We continue to work closely with our local cities and towns on initiatives to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.”
2022 corporate emissions continue to remain lower than pre-pandemic emissions, despite increasing by 8% last year. Elevated greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to an increase in service use as we emerged from the pandemic. Transit bus emissions rose by 7% as ridership rebounded, reaffirming the importance of the Region’s fleet electrification plans.
The annual 2022 Corporate Energy Report highlights many additional accomplishments including:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 500 tonnes using 12 battery electric buses in the York Region Transit fleet with plans to purchase up to 180 more
- Piloting the Sustainable Buildings Policy to achieve net-zero carbon operations for new construction projects, including the Southeast Works Yard and 62 Bayview Parkway
- Reducing electricity consumption by 5% with optimized water pump sequences at South Maple Water Pumping Station in the City of Vaughan
- Retrofitting multiple social housing units with LED lighting and Central Heating Management Systems, saving $30,000 in operating costs and 210 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually
While energy consumption was below pre-pandemic levels, total energy costs were at an all-time high of $57.8 million. The annual increase of $12.2 million was largely propelled by volatility in global oil prices and federal carbon tax.
“With increasing energy and fuel costs in mind, we continue to accelerate electrification and energy efficiency initiatives,” said Richmond Hill Mayor David West. “We are looking to permanently integrate operational changes gained over the past two years to help further curb emissions growth.”
The Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan will be updated in 2024 and will build on those from the 2016 and 2019 Plans. This framework of conservation, higher efficiency, renewable alternatives and low emission energy sources form targets to help York Region achieve the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The update will also offer ways to expand our scope of emissions to include waste and forestry operations. Priorities will include leveraging the latest proven technologies.
The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices
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Media Contact
Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
437-997-6821 @email
Jenny Burton, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
@email
