2021 Achievements Include Energy Efficiency Upgrades and 17,000 More Trees

RICHMOND HILL – The City of Richmond Hill continues to demonstrate its environmental leadership, commitment and positive progress in protecting our local environment.

A report to Council outlined the City’s 2021 environmental achievements and a proposed path towards a more sustainable City through the draft Environment Strategy Update. Select accomplishments include:

• Council approval of Richmond Hill’s first Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) which will guide community efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and conserve energy, with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050
• Energy efficiency upgrades at City facilities including installation of a low-emissivity ceiling at Tom Graham Arena, conversion of interior and exterior lighting to LED at Ed Sackfield Arena and HVAC upgrades at Elgin Barrow Arena and Elgin West Community Centre. This will result in cost savings of more than $80,000 a year and reduced greenhouse gas emissions of more than 15 CO²eq annually – that’s equivalent to taking five passenger vehicles off the road 
• Upgrades to the water level control system at Elgin West Community Centre, which will result in cost savings of more than $100,000 and water savings of over 21 million litres per year
• Recognition with two awards from the ClimateWise Business Network - the Mayors’ Energy Challenge Advocate Award for encouraging businesses to participate in the Energy and Water Benchmarking Reporting program and the Lowest Energy Use Intensity Leader Award for energy efficiency efforts at the City’s main Municipal Offices
• Growth of our tree canopy with more than 17,000 trees planted – 15,955 on City property through our urban forestry, woodlot restoration and Community Stewardship programs; and 1,215 by residents on private property through our Healthy Yards Program
• Reduction of blue box contamination by 8 per cent over the last two years through education and enforcement

Draft Environment Strategy Update Now Available for Public Comment

The Environment Strategy update, which was developed with help from the community, builds on our successes and brings a stronger lens to how we can all work together to protect our environment as the City grows and climate change impacts intensify. The original Strategy’s vision and mission continue, with minor updates to improve clarity. 

• Vision – Richmond Hill: a community that protects, enhances and restores its natural environment.
• Mission – To achieve our vision by engaging and inspiring residents, leading by example and encouraging sustainable growth.

Our focus will also shift from what we want to protect, enhance and restore to how we can protect, enhance and restore our local environment.

The draft Environment Strategy update is available for public comment at RichmondHill.ca/Greening until May 4. 

QUOTES

“Creating a healthy and sustainable environment really is a community effort and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done together. Over the last seven years as we’ve implemented our Environment Strategy, we’ve made huge strides in reducing our environmental footprint. I encourage everyone to continue to get involved. Collectively, our actions can have a huge impact on the health of our local environment.” - Mayor David West

MEDIA CONTACT
Ash O’Malley, Communications Advisor
ash.omalley@richmondhill.ca