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Division aims to reduce emissions by 45 per cent by 2035

Tue, 25 Apr, 2023

News item: Division aims to reduce emissions by 45 per cent by 2035

As a member of the City of Edmonton’s Corporate Climate Leader Program, Edmonton Public Schools has set the following greenhouse gas reduction targets:

  • By 2025, reduce emissions by five per cent.
  • By 2035, reduce emissions by 45 per cent.

The Division’s Energy and Environment Strategy 2023–26 outlines our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint over the next four years. The strategy includes 10 actions to be taken in 2023, ranging from practical solutions—such as replacing a school’s aging boiler with a new, high efficiency one—to initiatives that educate and help change habits among students and staff, such as waste sorting stations in schools.

Quick facts from the Energy and Environment Strategy

About 92 per cent of the Division’s emissions come from its buildings and how they operate, using natural gas and electricity. About eight per cent comes from other emissions, such as transportation and landfill waste. 

Here a few of the ways we plan to reduce our carbon footprint at Edmonton Public Schools:

  • investigate the possibility of green energy sources for purchasing utilities
  • explore adding more solar panel installations at more schools to offset electricity use
  • focus on school maintenance and renewal projects that maximize energy efficiency
  • work with student transportation carriers to explore the use of electric buses
  • add more waste-sorting stations in schools so less waste goes to landfills

The Division will report results and updates annually to the Corporate Climate Leaders Program office as part of its commitment to the program. An annual update will also be provided to the Board of Trustees.

More information

Learn more about the plan to reduce our environmental impact and events happening in schools.