Seeing Green in the Provincial Government
Leading by example
The Manitoba government recognizes that it must lead by
example when it comes to being a good steward of our natural
resources. The province is committed to pollution prevention
and protecting the environment in its daily activities.
Many actions are being taken to meet this priority:
- The Demand Side Energy Use baseline audit of 85 Manitoba
government buildings was completed in 2003 and found
that 2001/02 greenhouse gas levels in government buildings
were already 8 per cent below 1990/91 levels.
- Through education, feedback and direct program support,
waste minimization initiatives have been introduced throughout
more than 300 government buildings.
- The Manitoba government now uses 30 per cent post-consumer
waste recycled paper.
- At the Legislative building, ground irrigation systems
use water drawn from the river, organic products are
widely used to maintain lawns, and garden and lawn materials
are collected for composting.
- A solar wall project was installed at a seniors complex
owned by the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation
(MHRC) in 2002.
- The provincial light duty vehicle fleet currently
includes 141 alternative and flexible fuel vehicles -
there are 12 gas electric hybrids and 129 E85 flexible
fuel vehicles which are capable of running on a blend
of up to 85 per cent ethanol. As well, a further eight
gas-electric hybrids, 48 E85 flexible fuel vehicles and
one diesel Smart Car have been ordered to replace older
fleet vehicles.
- Sustainable development procurement guidelines have been adopted by government and implemented across the public sector, including local governments, school divisions, universities, colleges and regional health authorities.
- A recently adopted Green Building Policy will help to create a significant improvement in how new and renovated buildings funded by the Manitoba Government perform over their entire life cycle from an environmental, energy and economic perspective
Public schools are adopting energy efficiency programs and are actively involving staff and students in monitoring energy use. In addition, new school buildings must now meet energy efficiency standards, while new waste reduction strategies will be coordinated by Green Manitoba.
The Centre for Sustainable Transportation is relocating to Manitoba. It will be affiliated with the University of Winnipeg and will provide applied research and training and initiate a national Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Transportation. The Manitoba government has committed $500,000 to this project over five years.
Seeing Green into the future
We will build on these initiatives by:
- developing a truck-stop electrification demonstration
project which allows truckers to “plug in” to
electric power to decrease engine idling - a technology
which has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by 2.425 tonnes per day
- continuing to work with the federal government to
establish an E85 fueling station in Winnipeg
- increasing recycling in all leased or owned government
premises within two years
- advancing building environmental controls within two
years in all buildings
- piloting lighting initiatives in government buildings,
such as increasing the use of energy-saving light emitting
diodes instead of standard lighting
- continuing to replace fluorescent light ballasts with
low energy versions
- expanding the use of geothermal and other energy sources,
especially for new or major reconstruction
- phasing out the use of ozone-depleting substances
in chillers and other equipment
- promoting commuter challenge transportation options for employees year-round - the Manitoba Government has been an active participant in the annual Commuter Challenge, placing first for employee participation three years in a row
Additional resources
The
David Suzuki Foundation
The
Climate Group
Business
Week Online "Climate Change Achievers"
