Fredericton: Climate Change Action Timeline
Joined FCM Partners for Climate Protection
The City joined this network of Canadian municipalities committed to greenhouse gas reductions to increase internal knowledge on climate change impacts and commit to greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
Started raising intersections
Between 2000 and 2011, sections of three roads were raised to minimize closures during flood events.
Started increasing major culvert sizing
Between 2004 and 2013, 14 major culverts (nine twin and five single) were upgraded to increase capacity to accommodate 1.2 x a one in 100-year rain/flooding event. This work was completed to help mitigate the effects of flooding.
Introduced attenuation ponds
Between 2005 and 2009 2 attenuation ponds were completed and a draining diversion was created to mitigate flood impacts.
Anti-idling initiative
The City held an internal initiative to deter City employees from idling in City fleet vehicles and equipment, resulting in financial savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Hybrid Vehicle Pilot
The City leased three hybrid vehicles as a pilot to monitor decrease in energy use, and thus greenhouse gas emissions.
Launched GHG reduction strategy
The City of Fredericton launched corporate and community greenhouse gas reduction strategies and targets through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partner for Climate Protection program.
Green purchasing program
The City launched a purchasing program to ensure that green paper and cleaning products were purchased; Environmental considerations also became a part of larger purchasing decisions.
Climate Change Action Team
A Climate Change Action Team, made up of staff from different departments, was assembled to focus on climate risks and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. This was relaunched in 2018 as an Environmental Leadership Team with a broader focus.
Green Matters launch
Green Matters launched as the public-facing campaign to the GHG reduction initiative, raising environmental awareness, helping residents include more environmental activities in their daily lives, and reducing community greenhouse gas emissions.
Kyoto commitment in Municipal Plan
The City of Fredericton made a commitment to the Kyoto Protocol (reducing greenhouse gases) a part of the official City Plan.
Guidelines for stormwater infrastructure
The City released “Guidelines for Stormwater Infrastructure in the City of Fredericton,” a document that provides guidance to designers on stormwater drainage systems that provide an appropriate level of service while protecting the environment.
Annual GHG reduction and environment report introduced
An annual report was introduced to track environmental initiatives undertaken by all City departments and staff and to track results.
City purchases hybrid vehicles
The City purchased two of the three hybrid vehicles it initially leased.
Corporate emissions down 17% over 2005 levels
The City of Fredericton met its FCM Partners for Climate Protection goal by achieve all five corporate milestones and reducing corporate emissions by 17% over four years by taking several measures to reduce energy use and optimize operations for efficiency.
Started Climate Change Adaptation Plan
The City began and is still in the process of drafting and implementing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan that will act as a framework and guiding document for identifying climate-related risks and developing adaptation projects or components to projects to mitigate impacts in the future.
Working towards heavy equipment being more efficient
The City changed its heavy equipment engine specifications to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 Interim compliant.
Electric vehicle purchase
The City purchased its first electric vehicle as part of its fleet.
New buses more efficient
City Transit buses that are being purchased now are up to 30% more efficient than previous models, leading to savings in fuel costs and GHG emissions. Two of the new bus model were purchased in 2016, four were purchased in 2017 and four were purchased in 2018.