Delta Receives Two Climate Change-Related Awards at 2009 UBCM Convention

During the 2009 UBCM Convention, the Corporation of Delta received two climate change-related awards from the Honourable John Yap, BC Minister of State for Climate Action.

E3 Fleet Gold Rating from the Fraser Basin Council

On September 30, 2009, Delta (alongside Vancouver) received the first-ever Municipal Gold Rating for Fleet Excellence from the Fraser Basin Council. Under the Fraser Basin Council's E3 Fleet Program, public and private sector fleets seek a formal accreditation rating which is based on fleet performance and environmental excellence.

Between 2007 and 2008, the Corporation of Delta has cut its corporate fleet emissions dramatically, even in the face of increasing demands for service. The Corporation improved its fuel efficiency by 6%, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1%. The municipality's E3 success is attributed to several key fleet initiatives, including: a fuel-efficient fleet purchasing strategy that replaced 16 conventional vehicles with 16 hybrid vehicles over a two-year period, a successful anti-idling campaign, a vehicle right-sizing program and the installation of GPS and idling auto shut-offs units for Delta's larger vehicles. Delta also uses biodiesel in all of its diesel engine vehicles and has launched a fleet training program that is driven by a newly appointed fleet trainer. Delta Council committed to achieving a Bronze Rating by the end of 2008. The extraordinary efforts of staff, especially those of the E3 Fleet Team, have allowed the Corporation to surpass this goal.

Energy and Climate Action Award Honourable Mention from the Community Energy Association

On October 1, 2009, Delta received an Energy and Climate Action Award honourable mention from the Community Energy Association for Delta's Climate Change Initiative. This award is in recognition of Delta's comprehensive, progressive and dynamic climate change action plan which features nine individual plans to tackle different components of our municipal operations (e.g., building efficiency plan, fleet management plan). The award would not have been possible without the efforts of Delta's Climate Action and Environment Department. This department, alongside the Climate Change Working Group, have strived to find innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle global warming.

Message from Delta Council and Chief Administrative Officer George Harvie

The Corporation of Delta is fast gaining a reputation for being a leader in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Our staff are working hard to produce quality work that reflects our community's values and needs. We would like to thank all staff for their dedication and enthusiasm. Reducing the environmental footprint created by Delta's corporate operations is a municipal-wide commitment that's paying off.

For more information on climate change, please visit Delta's Climate Change Initiative page.