More trees, reduced emissions helping build a more sustainable community

RICHMOND HILL – The City of Richmond Hill has released its environmental scorecard demonstrating its continued environmental leadership and positive progress in protecting our local environment.

A report to Council outlined the progress and achievements made to date on implementation of the City’s Environment Strategy, Greening the Hill: Our Community, Our Future from 2015-2019, including:  

• A significant reduction in corporate energy use and emissions
• A downward trend in corporate and community water consumption
• Maintaining one of the highest waste diversion rates in Canada at 69%
• A 4% increase in the City’s tree canopy coverage (equivalent to 100,000 trees) making Richmond Hill one of the first municipalities in York Region to surpass its minimum Regional tree canopy target
• An increase in active transportation infrastructure, such as bike lanes and trails 

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Richmond Hill Council and City staff also continued to deliver on environmental initiatives in 2020 and received several notable environmental awards for the efforts. Select accomplishments include:

• Adopting a new Corporate Climate Change Framework and continuing development of the Community Energy and Emissions Plan to help Richmond Hill become more resilient to the effects of climate change
• Completing construction of an additional 2 km of the Lake-to-Lake Cycling Route and Walking Trail along Leslie Street from Major Mackenzie Drive to Elgin Mills Road
• Improving resiliency and protecting our community from flooding and erosion, as well as improving water quality through stormwater management and valleyland restoration projects
• Launching the City’s first Urban Forest Management Plan which will guide efforts to preserve and enhance the nearly 2.6 million trees and shrubs that make up Richmond Hill’s urban forest over the next 20 years
• Achieving LEED silver certification on the Ed Sackfield Arena expansion
• Redeveloping David Hamilton Park with sustainable features such as a system that recycles splash pad water to irrigate the sports fields
• Receiving recognition for environmental leadership with numerous environmental awards of distinction, including the Living City Energy Efficiency Leadership Award (Gold) for City Hall and ‘10% Club’ awards from the Mayor’s Megawatt Challenge, to three community centres, for achieving more than 10% energy savings in 2019

This is part of Council’s priority to balance growth and green. Residents can learn more about Richmond Hill’s environmental efforts by visiting RichmondHill.ca/Environment.

QUOTES

“Together, with our community and partners, we’ve made great progress towards achieving a more sustainable environment in Richmond Hill. Our Council is committed to protecting our local environment and I am proud of the actions we’ve taken to build a more resilient community, now and for future generations to enjoy.” Acting Mayor Joe DiPaola 

LINKS

• Read the 2015-2019 Environmental Scorecard
• Read the Environment Strategy 2020 Accomplishments

 QUICK FACTS

• Richmond Hill’s Environment Strategy, Greening the Hill: Our Community, Our Future, was approved in 2014 following extensive community and stakeholder consultation. It identifies short, medium and long-term actions on how air quality, water resources and land resources can best be managed.
• Richmond Hill is planning public consultation this spring and fall to update the Environment Strategy. Residents, businesses and community groups are encouraged to email greeningthehill@richmondhill.ca to be added to our mailing list or subscribe to RichmondHill.ca/GreeningtheHill for updates on how to participate. 

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