On June 24, 2015, County Council unanimously passed a motion to commit to 100%
renewable energy by 2050. Oxford County was the first municipal government in
Ontario to commit to a 100% renewable energy target at the time, and only the second
in Canada after Vancouver, British Columbia.
Oxford’s renewable energy commitment stems from the Future Oxford Community
Sustainability Plan (2015), which includes specific targets and actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), promote green construction, and promote lowcarbon
transportation options. Efficiency and conservation measures are considered
the first steps towards realizing a 100% renewable energy target.
With exhaust emissions from trucks, buses, and automobiles being major contributors to
GHG, exploring what the County could do to lessen its impact was, and remains, a
priority. Exhaust emissions are major contributors to health issues, including triggering
lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis in vulnerable
members of society.
Municipal fleet operators, in general, are increasingly aware of their fleet’s impact on the
environment. It is estimated that Ontario’s municipal fleets, including transit, contribute
approximately 43% of Canada’s estimated 1.74 MT of municipal fleet emissions.
At Oxford County, we have chosen to take a leadership role in dealing with these
concerns. Not only out of a sense of environmental responsibility, but also for financial
considerations: fuel is the fleet’s second largest operating expense for the County after
salaries and wages.
To assist the County in understanding its current fleet and the potential opportunities, in
2015, Oxford County, in conjunction with Fleet Challenge, developed a “Green Fleet
Plan.” The Green Fleet Plan outlines opportunities to reduce engine and GHG with
strategies based on technology and implementing or refreshing best practices.
Thank you to our Premier Sponsors
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