The City of Guelph has successfully established a corporate-wide energy management system that is certified to the ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management Systems framework. ISO 50001 outlines a framework for organizations to establish objectives, secure management support, allocate resources, collect and analyze data, take informed actions, and continually enhance performance. For the City specifically, it enables us to integrate the continual improvement of energy performance into our daily operations, programs, and services. By optimizing energy usage and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we are aligning our organization with global standards for environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.
This system has also assisted the City in setting clear energy performance objectives and targets for the entire organization, aligning with climate change mitigation efforts in its daily operations. By continuously monitoring and evaluating energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, the City can make well-informed decisions to enhance energy efficiency. This proactive approach has led to a 4% decrease in overall emissions compared to the previous year and a 7% reduction from the 2018 baseline year.
Embracing the principles of the Corporate ISO 50001 Energy Management System, the City has initiated various projects to lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, such as transitioning to electric transit fleets, installing energy-efficient heat pump and solar PV systems, and incorporating sustainability measures in the design of new City facilities. The goal is that these initiatives will contribute to the City’s push for a net zero carbon community by 2050.
