our environment, our role 2012 report to the community environmental master plan
Our Environment, Our Role Thanks for taking a look at The City of Red Deer’s Environmental Master Plan 2012 Report to the Community. The Environmental Master Plan was adopted in 2011 to serve as a guide to improved environmental sustainability for Red Deer. The plan acts as an environmental road map for the City and residents by presenting clear goals and the means to achieving them. This annual Report to the Community tells you how we’ve been doing by reporting on the measurements and the priority actions we are taking. We are tracking our progress – and sharing it with you – to make sure we are on course to meet our goals.
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We think it’s important to keep the community informed about our successes, as well as the areas that need improvement. Equally important is identifying opportunities for residents to take action themselves so together we can work toward a more sustainable Red Deer.
We hope that through offering clear information and practical tips, we can inspire Red Deerians to take ownership of their role in the environmental health of their community, and involve residents in achieving improvements to the Environmental Master Plan’s seven focus areas:
WATER ecology air built environment transportation energy waste
Litres of residential water consumed, per person, per day:
• Industrial, commercial and institutional potable water use decreased from 122 L per capita per day in 2011 to 120 L per capita per day in 2012.
Residential potable water consumption decreased by 1 L per capita per day
• Baseline in 2009: Residents used 242 L per capita per day. Commercial used 135 L per capita per day. Water quality in city streams and creeks • River monitoring started in 2012 to establish benchmarks. Priority actions in progress: Preparing an integrated storm water management plan // developing water conservation measures for City buildings // updated water and wastewater rate structures which reflect the costs of delivering and treating water, and the value of water itself.
2011
2012
centennial rain barrel clearout sale
Potable water consumption • Residential potable water consumption decreased from 211 L per capita per day in 2011 to 210 L per capita per day in 2012.
Good for $30 rain barrel
WATER
your role Consider a rain barrel to collect water for gardening or washing vehicles, and reduce potable water use.
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Ecology Natural areas • Total land within the city’s developed area devoted to native natural features increased from 939 ha in 2011 to 990 ha in 2012.
Toxic pest control product used by the City:
Toxic pest control product use decreased by 31 ml/acre
• Baseline in 2009: 809 ha Integrated pest management • The amount of toxic pest control product used by the City decreased from 187 ml/acre in 2011 to 156 ml/acre
2011
2012
• Baseline in 2009: 210 ml/acre Priority actions in progress: Enhancing City setback policy to reflect improved water body and ecological protection // partnering with community stakeholders to share ideas to preserve green space.
your role Use mulch on gardens and around trees and shrubs to control weeds and retain moisture.
50% off mulch
Manmade green areas • Total manmade natural features increased from 830 ha in 2011 to 838 ha in 2012
at the Waste Management Facility
• Baseline in 2009: 863 ha
Valid only on October 26, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Buy at 5408 54 Avenue, one block northwest of Superstore, while quantities last
centennial rain barrel clearout sale
air Greenhouse Gas • Established benchmarks and targets after completing a corporate greenhouse gas inventory. Air Quality • Room for improvement: While some air quality measures are moving in the right direction, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide measures are not. Particulate matter has moved from 24.4 µg per/m3 to 31.4 µg/m3. The Canada Wide Standard has been exceeded, forcing Alberta Environment to work towards putting a management plan in place.
The City of Red Deer 2020 corporate greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal: 20% increase due to growth, without action taken tCO2e
tCO2e
2010
2020 tCO2e = tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
your role
Visit reddeer.ca/idlefree
Turn your key, be idle free. It’s more fuel efficient to turn off your vehicle than to idle for longer than one minute. Encourage your employer or local businesses to go idle free.
Priority actions in progress: Conducted a greenhouse gas inventory analysis and developed a reduction plan // identifying large emitters of pollution within The City’s corporate operations // developing a climate change adaptation and mitigation plan // working with local industry to develop pollution reduction strategies
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Valid only at the Waste Management Facility, 1709 40 Avenue expires August 31, 2014
built environment
50% off mulch
30% reduction vs. 2010 baseline, with reduction strategies taken
Community gardens • Community gardens increased from 17,717 m2 (or 0.19 m2 per capita) in 2011 to 20,117 m2 (or 0.21 m2 ) in 2012. Priority actions in progress: Developing infill guidelines to encourage environmental design standards // helping establish goals for future density targets // introducing a new community garden each year for 10 years
your role Start a community garden with your neighbours! Visit reddeer.ca/parks to learn how.
• Baseline in 2009: 1257 L/capita Alternative modes of travel • Today: For those travelling to work, 89% use vehicles, 5% walk or ride a bike, 4% take transit, 2% use another form. • By 2016 we’d like to see: 86% use vehicles, 5% use transit, 8% walk or ride a bike, and 1% use another form of transportation. • Baseline in 2009: 88% use vehicles, 7% walk or bike, 4% take transit, 1% other Length of trail infrastructure • More trail available: Increased from 1 km of trail to every 620 residents to 1 km of trail for every 610 residents. • Baseline in 2009: 1 km to every 672 residents
Total fuel consumption: Reduced fuel use by 16 litres/capita
2011
2012
Priority actions in progress: Partnering with school boards to implement a walking school bus program // partnering on regional commuting resources such as carpooling and transit services // facilitating neighbourhood walkability audits
free transit ticket
Total fuel • Reduced fuel use from 1219 litres per capita in 2011 to 1203 litres per capita
Valid only on World Car Free Day. September 22, 2013
transportation
your role Start a walking school bus in your own neighbourhood. Ride your bike or walk to work. Share the commute to work just once, once a week, or every day! Sign up at Carpool.ca.
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Energy
Priority actions in progress: Expanded energy efficient street light program // partner with renewable energy providers and community stakeholders to provide information about private renewable energy options
your role Turn off the lights for Earth Hour, and turn off unnecessary power every day! Think about where you might be wasting power and flip the switch.
home energy audit kit
• Baseline in 2009: 15% of energy was derived from green sources.
Borrow a Home Energy Audit Kit from Red Deer Public Library and pinpoint power hungry appliances! Visit reddeer.ca/environment.
Renewable Energy Sources • The City of Red Deer increased its percentage of energy derived from green sources from 22% to 24% in 2012. The City chooses to purchase green energy credits as a way of being more sustainable. For our own efforts, Civic Yards’ vehicle wash produced and sent 6,480 kWh of electricity to the grid, and the solar panels generated 1,345 kWh of solar energy.
For a chance to win, email us your name, address, and phone number to environmental.initiatives@reddeer.ca. Mail ballot by March 3, 2014
win a complete backyard compost kit
waste Residential solid waste • Room for improvement: We are trying to reduce the amount of solid waste generated by single family residences. However, the total amount of waste increased from 178 kg collected per capita in 2011 to 183 kg per capita in 2012. • Baseline in 2009: 183 kg per capita. Waste Diverted • Room for improvement: The City aims to increase the percentage of waste diverted away from the landfill. However, the percentage of waste diverted per tonne of waste land filled decreased from 15% in 2011 to 12% in 2012. • Baseline in 2009: 10% of waste diverted.
your role Choose recycling, backyard composting, donating your goods or offering them to others to reuse during Kick It to the Curb instead of sending them to the landfill.
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Priority actions in progress: Updated Waste Management Master Plan // created backyard composting program // partnered with developers to advance recycling of construction waste
Everyone has an important role in working toward a sustainable environment: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Comprised of citizens and City Councillors, and supported by City staff, the EAC serves as ambassadors of the Environmental Master Plan. The group’s purpose is to recognize the importance of the environmental issues that Council and the community share; enhance citizen engagement and decision making on environmental issues; and enhance Council confidence in establishing environmental priorities and their impact on a vibrant, healthy and sustainable Red Deer.
Our partners: Environmental work in our community is actively supported by groups that offer funding, collaborate on planning, and provide hands-on assistance. Key collaborators in 2012 included: ACEE (Alberta Council for Environmental Education) Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Parkland Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ) Red Deer Public Library ReThink Red Deer Waskasoo Environmental Education Society Our residents: Your role is key in achieving the targets we set to improve our environmental performance. By making choices such as reducing water consumption, using mulch in the garden, taking alternative modes of transport, joining a community garden, going idle free, conducting a home energy audit, and backyard composting, Red Deerians are making an important contribution to their community. When residents educate themselves, get involved, and make thoughtful environmental choices, everyone wins.
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reddeer.ca/environmentalmasterplan Printed on recycled paper