EARTH DAY 2011: ACHIEVING CARBON NEUTRAL EVENTS
In celebration of Earth Day, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to highlight a key accomplishment of its Environmental Strategy, “Building a Greener Capital”. Canada Day 2010 was carbon neutral.
The strategy, launched in June 2009, was built on the idea of establishing challenging but achievable objectives, in order to improve the NCC’s environmental performance in five specific action areas: reducing waste, enhancing biodiversity, preventing pollution, leading in environmental practices and combating climate change. The NCC will present the second annual detailed progress report of its Environmental Strategy at its Board of Directors public meeting this June.
“The NCC is proud to be making measurable environmental progress, and achieving a carbon neutral Canada Day celebration is just one example,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer at the NCC. “We are definitely on track and we will continue to put into action our Environmental Strategy while working closely with our employees, partners, stakeholders and the public.”
Canada Day 2010
The NCC is proud to declare Canada Day 2010 as its first carbon neutral event. The NCC implemented several greening initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. By switching to online media sources to distribute information about Canada Day 2010 events, the NCC avoided the production of over 60,000 paper programs and saved the equivalent of 18 mature trees. The NCC also installed seven water stations on site and encouraged visitors to bring their own reusable plastic water bottles. In one day, the water stations filled the equivalent of 32,000 plastic water bottles. These initiatives helped the NCC reduce its Canada Day landfill waste by 29% and avoid the potential production of nearly two and a half tonnes of carbon emissions from landfills.
To achieve carbon neutrality, the NCC worked with CarbonZero, a renowned Canadian carbon offset vendor. To offset the 415 tones of carbon emissions produced by the Canada Day event, the NCC decided to invest in a variety of Canada-based carbon offset projects, such as energy efficiency, methane gas recovery and tree planting projects. All offset projects achieved high quality standards and represent real and permanent carbon reductions.
With the NCC’s first carbon neutral event under its belt, the NCC looks forward to working with all of its event partners to make the rest of the NCC’s signature events – including Christmas Lights Across Canada 2010-2011, Winterlude 2012, the Rideau Canal Skateway 2012, Fall Rhapsody 2012 and Sunday Bikedays 2013 — carbon neutral firsts!
The Environmental Strategy builds on the NCC’s long-standing commitment to its natural environment and to good environmental management, a commitment embraced by NCC employees. The NCC is dedicated to achieving its Environmental Strategy and to leading the way to a greener Capital.
For more information on the NCC’s Environmental Strategy, the public may contact the NCC at 613- 239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY), or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/greencapital.
Media Information:
Jasmine Leduc
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5410 (office)
613-608-3119 (cellular)
jasmine.leduc@ncc-ccn.ca
Jean Wolff
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5703 (office)
613-797-0279 (cellular)
jean.wolff@ncc-ccn.ca
Ottawa Folk Festival Joins Forces with the Museum of Civilization for Unplugged Earth Day Celebration, April 22
The Ottawa Folk Festival and the Canadian Museum of Civilization have teamed up to host a candlelit, acoustic Earth Day Celebration at the Museum of Civilization on April 22.
Celebrating Earth day in true eco-friendly fashion, the event will be au natural. Lighting will be provided by candle as well as energy efficient LED bulbs. Entertainment will be acoustic, and refreshments will be low-impact and locally grown. The evenings’ festivities will include intimate, “unplugged” performances from popular local artists Ana Miura with Fred Guignion, Julien Lelièvre, Jill Zmud, Michel Sauvé, and Louis-Philippe Robillard, and awesome eco-chic DIY crafts.
The Ottawa Folk Festival’s participation in the Earth Day event is a natural fit for the green-inspired Festival, the first of the Ottawa festivals to ditch wasteful plastic water bottles for lower-impact public water. The public water initiative in partnership with CUPE, CUPE 503, Ottawa Riverkeepers and Council of Canadians, had water supplied by on-site Hydration Stations which were tapped into Ottawa’s public water, an effort that had a substantially positive effect on the eco-footprint of the festival.
“The festival’s water-bottle ban was also considered a success. Stainless-steel bottles were widely available, and close to 1,000 gallons of water were dispensed at the so-called hydration stations. According to water-station attendants, more than 7,000 plastic bottles were diverted from landfill sites.” – The Ottawa Citizen
The festival also was able to purchase reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery to serve the 600+ volunteers as well as the public throughout the festival weekend; made possible by the TD Friends of the Environment Fund.
This year’s festival will see the continuation of the bottle-free initiative and its resourceful, impact-reducing results.
With free admission to the Earth Day celebration, participants can enjoy the cozy atmosphere and music performances while taking part in eco-friendly arts and crafts with all supplies provided. Locally produced refreshments can be purchased from the cash bar.
The Earth Day Celebration will take place at the Ottawa Museum of Civilization in the Grand Hall and Riverview Lobby at Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7pm. Admission, musical performances, and eco-crafts are free.
Video Clip of Sold-Out Evening with Jane Goodall (Apr. 12)
The Ottawa International Writers Festival got a video clip from our sold-out evening with Jane Goodall on April 12th. Thanks to Carleton University for co-presenting this with us, and thanks to the Jane Goodall Foundation for making it possible.
The Writers Festival (Spring Edition) is fast approaching! Visit us online for all the details. Featuring special Earth Day programming, acclaimed poetry, the return of Books and Brunch, new fiction from around the world, BIG IDEAs, Global Perspectives and Extraordinary Canadians, we’re in for a real treat this year.
It’s going to be a stellar Festival so we hope to see you there from April 22 to 27.
Sean Wilson
Artistic Director
Ottawa International Writers Festival
Festival Discussion Forum
