The 2024-2029 Norfolk County Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plan has been approved by the Norfolk County Mayor and Council, pending ratification by Council next week.
As per its legislative requirements, Norfolk staff have developed and updated its ECDM Plan, with input from the Norfolk County Sustainability Advisory Committee. The document directs staff as they strive to meet ambitious corporate energy management goals and objectives.
The 2024-2029 Plan focuses on five strategic goals with specific objectives and targets over the next five years. The goals noted in the Plan include emissions reductions, improved energy efficiency, energy cost reductions, sustainability, and the expansion of renewable and sustainable energy generation.
Through this exercise, staff determined that as of 2023, Norfolk County achieved the following in comparison to 2018 levels:
- 4.43 per cent reduction in electricity consumption
- 20.9 per cent reduction in natural gas consumption
- 23.67 per cent reduction in greenhouse (GHG) emissions
- 21.46 per cent reduction in fuel consumption
Additionally, as of 2023, thanks to Norfolk’s natural assets, including urban trees and woodlots, the County currently sequesters, or stores, more carbon than it produces or emits during its operations. These natural assets will help Norfolk achieve Net Zero operations in the future, where greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are balanced by removing these gases over a given period.
The 2024-2029 ECDM Plan will be available to the public once it is ratified by Council on June 18, 2024, and will be located on Norfolk County’s Corporate Energy Management webpage.
Quotes
Sydney Clarysse, Project Lead, Energy and Facilities
“The 2024-2029 Plan provides a guiding light for the future of Norfolk’s energy management program and aims to improve the energy efficiency of municipal services, provide local leadership in sustainability, and enhance the quality of life of all who live, work and play in Norfolk County.”
Mayor Amy Martin
“On behalf of Council, I am excited to see Norfolk’s achievements over the past five years. I am confident that the goals and objectives built into the 2024-2029 plan will position Norfolk as a municipality whose leaders take a green approach to their work, further strengthening our reputation as an environmentally and fiscally responsible municipality.”
