A “carbon footprint” is, essentially, an estimated measure of how much greenhouse gas (GHG) an activity (or group of activities) releases.
Jump down to:
- Tracking and measuring GHGs
- Engaging our employees
- Making some big, beneficial changes
- Recognition for our work – an ECO Award!
Tracking and measuring GHGs
Through Project Green, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) tracks and measures its own carbon footprint from these sources:
- natural gas and electricity consumption
- air travel
- fleet vehicle usage (fuel consumption)
- waste generation
With these measurements, the ministry can:
- assess its carbon footprint
- identify GHG-reduction opportunities
- integrate GHG considerations into decisions related to daily operations
Engaging our employees
Project Green draws on employee expertise and passion, while promoting best practices and encouraging environmentally conscious behaviours among ministry staff.
There are 20 active “Green Teams” in ministry offices across the province. These teams of dedicated employees work to foster environmentally conscious practices within their own offices. The teams undertake a range of activities, such as:
- promoting composting
- adding plants to the office
- buying reusable cutlery for office kitchens
- running a community garden in Thunder Bay
- implementing paper-reduction initiatives
Making some big, beneficial changes
While Green Teams help encourage employees to change their daily behaviour in individual branches or offices, Project Green has been taking steps toward reducing our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in some extra big ways.
Please explore this section to learn about some of those substantial changes we’ve made to green our:
- Offices
- Daily activities
- Vehicle fleet
- Meetings
- Waste
Recognition for our work – an ECO Award!
The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) gave the MOE the 2008/2009 Environmental Recognition Award for leadership in workplace greening (via the Project Green initiative).
The ECO Recognition Award is given to ministries that best meet the goals of the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) and/or best implement EBR practices in their daily operations.
