Toronto Hydro releases CR report

If you don’t know where you’re starting from, it’s hard to track your progress. This applies to pretty much everything – including, of course, reducing carbon emissions.

For the second year in a row, Toronto Hydro is making an effort to do just that by releasing a report on its operational greenhouse gas emissions. The Corporate Responsibility Report aims to establish a baseline, and set emission targets.

Using this report, they will be able to keep tabs on their progress in reducing their carbon footprint – until they reach their goal of carbon-neutrality. The report has been made with the city of Toronto’s Climate Change Action Plan in mind.

Toronto Hydro is also making it a priority to be mindful of the province’s Clean Energy Act. While their product (hydro-electricity, obviously) is considered a clean energy source, they are aware their operation is not 100 per cent clean. To be fair, few are.

The previous two years’ results show they have a good start. According to the report Toronto Hydro’s greenhouse gas emissions are already down by 2.7 per cent. The company’s total electricity consumed is down as well.

In addition to actually reducing these factors, Toronto Hydro is taking some more proactive steps. The company reported planting 10,000 native trees around the city, and supports local economic development. They invested some $500,000 in community initiatives.

Their vehicle fleet is already running on biodiesels, but they are also experimenting with natural gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, ethanol enhanced fuel, and anti-idling devices.

With initiatives like this, Ontario can fairly be said to be taking the lead in green energy and making strong headway in carbon-neutral operations.