David Suzuki Foundation: Climate Change : Green Leaders

In Canada and around the world, more and more industry leaders and communities are learning that there are opportunities that make both economic and environmental sense. They’re finding out energy conservation and energy efficiency save money and create new industries and jobs.

"If we get it right, our company and our supply chain will never have to take another drop of oil." - Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface Inc., the worlds largest flooring manufacture

Success stories

Communities
Businesses and Institutions

Canadian Communities

Municipalities across Canada are reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a wide range of projects. Local governments say they can achieve one quarter of Canada's Kyoto target while creating jobs and strengthening the health of our communities.

Halifax: A city-wide composting program now prevents organic matter from reaching landfills. This has cut methane production by the equivalent of over half a million tons of carbon dioxide per year, compared to 1995.

Calgary: Achieving its target of six per cent below 1990 levels ahead of schedule and at 50 per cent projected costs, with substantial energy bill savings and employment created. Through the "Ride the Wind" initiative, the light rail system is powered by wind-generated electricity.

Edmonton: Target - to reduce emissions by six per cent below 1990 levels by 2010, and 20 per cent by 2020. Has already reduced emissions through one landfill waste-to-energy project by 174,949 tonnes.

Regina: Reduced emissions from internal operations nine per cent, or 10,000 tonnes annually, from 1988 levels. Energy retrofits will reduce emissions another four per cent and save $400,000 annually.

Sudbury: Will reduce emissions by 21,000-51,000 tonnes per year with a co-generation and district energy system. Retrofit programs aim to reduce energy consumption 30 per cent and save more than $800,000 annually.

St. John's: Retrofits to municipal buildings are expected to deliver annual energy savings of $600,000, improve workplace lighting and comfort levels, and reduce maintenance costs.

Toronto: Reduced emissions by 67 per cent below 1990 levels, exceeding the city's goal threefold, generating thousands of jobs and reducing costs for many operations. Success was achieved through landfill waste-to-energy programs, energy efficiency building retrofits, streetlight changes, and more efficient vehicle fleets.

City of Vancouver: The City of Vancouver has traffic signals at 670 intersections throughout the city, all of which used incandescent light bulbs. Annual electricity costs to power the lights totaled $322,500 and because incandescent lights have a short life span, they had to be replaced frequently, resulting in high maintenance costs. The city converted the lights to light-emitting diode (LED) lights, which use 80 to 90 per cent less electricity than incandescents and last six to 10 times longer. Doing this will save Vancouver taxpayers $247,500 per year in energy costs alone, plus an additional $110,000 per year in maintenance costs.

Businesses and Institutions

Many companies are dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, often exceeding the Kyoto target. So far, this is generally achieved at minimal cost or with considerable savings.

Abitibi-Consolidated (Forest Products): Reduced emissions on average 10 per cent below 1990 levels, and 27 per cent below 1988.

Alcoa (Aluminum Manufacturing): Committed to reducing emissions by 25 per cent from 1990 levels by 2010, and by 50 per cent from 1990 levels over the same period if their inert anode technology succeeds.

Alcan (Aluminum Manufacturing): Reduced emissions by over two million tonnes worldwide over the last decade; plans to cut another 500,000 tonnes in the next four years.

BP (Petroleum & Renewables): Achieved its target, eight years early, of reducing emissions 10 per cent worldwide below 1990 levels at no net cost. Energy investments in renewables to grow 40 per cent in 2002.

Canadian Chemical Producers' Association: Members reduced emissions 39 per cent below 1992 levels, primarily due to declines in emissions of nitrous oxide.

Canterra Towers (Buildings): Oxford Properties reduced energy consumption by 30 per cent and emissions 28 per cent below 1992 levels, saving tenants $1.5 million dollars in operating costs.

Dofasco (Steel Production): Reduced emissions 22 per cent below 1990 levels by 1999, and 20 per cent per unit of production. Target: to further improve specific energy intensity by 10 per cent by 2010.

DuPont (Chemical Manufacturing): Reduced emissions worldwide by 45 per cent and improved energy efficiency by 15 per cent over 1990 levels. Uses renewables for 10 per cent of global energy use. Target: to reduce emissions by 65 per cent.

Dow (Chemical Manufacturing): Reduced emissions by 14 per cent below 1990 levels, and reduced the level of CO2 per kg of product by 50 per cent. Target: to reduce emissions per unit of production another 10 per cent.

General Motors: Reduced emissions by 37 per cent below 1990 levels, with a 30 per cent reduction in emissions per vehicle produced. Target: to reduce emissions by 56 per cent by 2005.

IBM (Information Technology): Reduced energy consumption worldwide by 25 per cent through conservation, pocketing $527 million. Canada's operations reduced emissions by 33 per cent since 1990.

Inco (Mining & Manufacturing): Reduced emissions by seven per cent below 1990 levels by 1999. Target: to reduce emissions by a further one per cent annually to 2005.