Government of Canada
2002/69
June 6, 2002
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA KICKS OFF
VEHICLE ANTI-IDLING CAMPAIGN
OTTAWA — "Turn off your engines" is
the message federal public servants will be hearing during a week-long,
anti-idling blitz being promoted in two government departments.Herb Dhaliwal,
Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), and Environment Minister
David Anderson have issued a challenge to their staff to "walk the
talk," especially during Environment Week, June 3 to 7.
"Unnecessary idling is a huge waste of fuel and money," said
Minister Dhaliwal. "It's also a source of greenhouse gas emissions.
If every Canadian motorist reduced unnecessary vehicle idling for just
five minutes every day of the year, we could prevent a million tonnes
of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere."
"Eliminating unnecessary idling is a no-cost way to address environmental
problems," said Minister Anderson. "It's as simple as turning
a key. Achieving progress on the 'simple stuff' will open doors for the
more fundamental changes needed to address climate change in the future."
Both Ministers have declared the parking/drop-off zones of selected facilities
within the National Capital Region "idle-free." Drivers stopped
for more than ten seconds in the parking/drop-off zones will be asked
to turn off their engines. This will help raise awareness that even simple
actions can help reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute
to climate change.
Reducing idling time can also save motorists money — idling for
more than ten seconds uses more fuel than it would take to restart an
engine. Canadian motorists idle their vehicles an average of five to ten
minutes per day. A recent study suggests that, in the peak of winter,
Canadians voluntarily idle their vehicles for a combined total of more
than 75 million minutes a day. This is equivalent to one vehicle idling
for 144 years.
Plans are underway to take the campaign to other Government of Canada
facilities. It will help the Government of Canada meet objectives set
out in the Federal House in Order Initiative. This initiative, introduced
last summer, sets a target of reducing GHG emissions within federal operations
by 31 percent from 1990 levels by 2010.
NRCan has also developed a Web site to provide municipal environmental
coordinators and community groups across Canada with the information and
tools they need to take action in reducing vehicle idling at the local
level. The tool kit section of the Web site includes a special calculator
that determines savings from reduced idling. Other resources available
include worksheets, games, quizzes and a ready-to-use poster and brochure.
For more information, visit the Idle-Free Zone at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/idling.cfm?attr=8.
In addition, NRCan has provided a total of $300,000 for two anti-idling
pilot projects with the cities of Mississauga and Greater Sudbury. It
will help enhance the cities' Local Action Plans for Climate Protection
and to test the effectiveness of a municipal-based anti-idling awareness
campaign. Results of the pilots will be shared with other municipalities
across the country.
The anti-idling campaign builds on the Government of Canada's commitment
to ensuring a clean, healthy environment and preserving our natural spaces,
which are an essential part of our quality of life.
For more information, media may contact:
Heather Bala
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-7252
|
