Local governments have implemented bylaws, policies, and campaigns to reduce idling within their boundaries. In some cases such as North Vancouver, and Vancouver anti-idling bylaws have been passed to prevent idling altogether. Many more communities have taken advantage of Provincial and Federal initiatives to reduce idling in the community. Other communities such as Williams Lake and Richmond have introduced idle-free policies for their corporate fleets and have reaped the financial rewards from fuel savings.
If Canadians avoided idling for just three minutes every day of the year, CO2 emissions could be reduced by 1.4 million tonnes annually, which is the equivalent to taking 320,000 cars off of the road for the entire year. Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada
Idle-Free Bylaws
Idle-free bylaws specify the maximum amount of time that a vehicle can be left idling, typically ranging between one minute and three minutes. Idle-free bylaws might also be contained in a nuisance or noise bylaw, not specifying a time limit, but rather a disturbance provision. Communities have the power to create regulations to control idling through the Community Charter (Sections 8(3)(b) & (h), 16, 17, 62, 64, 260 to 263) and the Motor Vehicle Act (Part 3 and Section 124(1)(c)) [1].
Idle-Free Campaigns
There are several programs that provide toolkits to help communities initiate an idle-free campaign. Idle Free Zone is a great place to start. Working with the community, non-government organizations and community organizations can also help to implement a mix of anti-idling initiatives (e.g., workplace-based, school-based, municipal by-law and/or community outreach). Where a local government has an environmental advisory or air-quality committee, this would be a good place to start [2].
Prince George and Burnaby have successfully taken advantage of Provincial and Federal initiatives to reduce idling in the community through education and marketing campaigns.
Idle-Free Fleets Policies
Some local governments have started with idle-free policies for their own fleets in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut fuel costs. The City of Richmond saved approximately 10% of their total fuel costs, equaling $117,000 during the first year of project’s implementation. Communication with the community about the importance of the project to environmental and human health was an important part of the project. The City of Richmond also partnered with the Richmond School Board to promote an idle-free pilot project in Richmond high schools and at the Vancouver International Airport [3].
Williams Lake has also implemented an idle-free policy within their government operations. Several other communities in BC have done the same.
[1] Gage, A. and Saha, S., 2006. The Clean Air Bylaws Guide. West Coats Environmental Law.
[2] BC Climate Exchange. Greenhouse Gas Action Guide.
[3] Idle Free BC. Fraser Basin Council, BC Climate Exchange, Ministry of the Environment, and Biofleet.
print
