Engagement opportunities
Do you use small gas-powered equipment (such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and pressure washers) for professional or commercial use?
Have your say. Complete a short survey or attend an upcoming industry roundtable.
Complete the survey
Why your input matters:
- Your feedback will help shape an effective and practical strategy
- Your experience will help identify feasible solutions and reasonable timelines
| Roundtables for golf course management professionals | Roundtables for golf course management professionals | <div class="ExternalClassB04EA660DAA641E1BF13E5B4B22E6EB6"><h4>In-person session</h4><p>
<strong>Date:</strong> Tuesday, November 19, 2024<br>
<strong>Time:</strong> 9:00 am to 10:00 am (light breakfast served at 8:30am)<br>
<strong>Location:</strong> Guildford Golf & Country Club, Surrey</p><p>
<a class="uk-button mv-button" href="https://registration.metrovancouver.org/air-quality/Pages/reducing-emissions-roundtable-november-19.aspx" target="_blank">Register for the in-person session</a><br></p><h4>Webinar session</h4><p>
<strong>Date:</strong> Monday, November 25, 2024<br>
<strong>Time:</strong> 11:00 am to 12:00 pm</p><p>
<a class="uk-button mv-button" href="https://registration.metrovancouver.org/air-quality/Pages/reducing-emissions-roundtable-november-25.aspx" target="_blank">Register for the online session</a><br></p></div> |
| Roundtables for landscaping professionals | Roundtables for landscaping professionals | <div class="ExternalClass2A8F8814E3C6474F9E2D3ACE5CB2D1DD"><h4>Webinar session</h4><p>
<strong>Date:</strong> Thursday, November 14, 2024<br><strong>Time:</strong> 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p>
<a class="uk-button mv-button" href="https://registration.metrovancouver.org/air-quality/Pages/reducing-emissions-roundtable-november-14-18.aspx" target="_blank">Register for the online session</a><br></p><h4>Webinar session</h4><p>
<strong>Date:</strong> Monday, November 18, 2024<br><strong>Time:</strong> 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Pacific Time (US and Canada)<br><strong>Featured speaker:</strong><br> </p><ul><li>Master Gardener Brian Minter</li></ul><p>
<a class="uk-button mv-button" href="https://registration.metrovancouver.org/air-quality/Pages/reducing-emissions-roundtable-november-14-18.aspx" target="_blank">Register for the online session</a><br></p><h4>In-person session</h4><p>
<strong>Date:</strong> Wednesday, November 27, 2024<br>
<strong>Time:</strong> 9:00 am to 10:00 am (light breakfast served at 8:30 am)<br><strong>Location:</strong> VanDusen Botanical Garden - Floral Hall<br> 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1<br>
<strong>Featured speaker:</strong><br> </p><ul><li>Sheldon Ridout, The Silent Gardener</li><li>Shelley Nyhan, Para Space Landscaping</li></ul><p>
<a class="uk-button mv-button" href="https://registration.metrovancouver.org/air-quality/Pages/reducing-emissions-roundtable-november-27.aspx" target="_blank">Register for the in-person session</a></p></div> |
| Roundtables for large property maintainers (such as school boards, sports venues, cemeteries, strata properties and associated industries like irrigation) | Roundtables for large property maintainers (such as school boards, sports venues, cemeteries, strata properties and associated industries like irrigation) | <div class="ExternalClass5520F89F18144BE0B1415D679DFB1FCE"><h4>Webinar session</h4><p>
<strong>Date:</strong> Friday, November 22, 2024<br>
<strong>Time:</strong> 11:00 am to 12:00 pm</p><p>
<a class="uk-button mv-button" href="https://registration.metrovancouver.org/air-quality/Pages/reducing-emissions-roundtable-november-22.aspx" target="_blank">Register for the online session</a><br></p><h4>Webinar session<br></h4><p>
<strong>Date:</strong> Monday, December 2, 2024<br>
<strong>Time:</strong> 11:00 am to 12:00 pm</p><p>
<a class="uk-button mv-button" href="https://registration.metrovancouver.org/air-quality/Pages/reducing-emissions-roundtable-december-2.aspx" target="_blank">Register for the online session</a><br></p></div> |
Overview
Metro Vancouver is developing a regional strategy to accelerate the transition from small gas-powered equipment to emission-free alternatives.
Small gas-powered equipment (such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and pressure washers) plays a vital role in regional industries and maintaining public spaces. This equipment releases a significant amount of emissions – including fine particles and nitrogen oxides – which are harmful when inhaled. In our region, small gas-powered equipment produces about half as much health-harming emissions as the nearly 1.5 million cars and pick-up trucks in the region.
Emission-free equipment (typically electric) is growing in popularity, availability, and performance. Transitioning from small gas-powered equipment to emission-free alternatives is an important step in reducing air pollution and protecting public health. Emission-free equipment is typically quieter, and has an added benefit of reducing noise pollution.
Accelerating the transition to emission-free equipment
There is a range of actions that can accelerate the transition from small gas-powered equipment to emission-free alternatives, such as:
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Promoting cleaner technologies: Encouraging the adoption of emission-free equipment through education campaigns.
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Supporting best practices: Providing information on the use and maintenance of emission-free equipment, case studies on fleet transitions, and convening equipment users.
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Considering policy changes: Exploring requirements and incentives that support the transition to emission-free options.
Why go emission-free?
The main drivers for this transition are the measurable environmental and health impacts of using gas powered equipment.
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Significant impact: Small gas-powered equipment produces about half as much health-harming emissions as the nearly 1.5 million cars and pick-up trucks in the region.
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Air pollution: Gas-powered equipment releases emissions containing volatile organic compounds (VOC), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), as well as carbon monoxide (CO). These can contribute to health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems. This equipment also releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas.
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Benefits of emission-free alternatives: Electric equipment produces zero direct emissions, which improves air quality and reduces health risks for the community. Emission-free equipment is typically quieter, and has an added benefit of reducing noise pollution.
Engaging equipment users and others to develop the strategy
Input from small gas-powered equipment users and other interested parties is key to developing an effective strategy with realistic timelines. Metro Vancouver is engaging equipment users, other governments including First Nations, member jurisdictions, health agencies, manufacturers and vendors, and others to listen to perspectives, interests, and ideas for how to effectively transition to emission-free equipment. Metro Vancouver is taking a staged approach to developing the strategy to ensure it reflects the needs and interests of industry and communities.
Stay informed
Receive project updates and notifications about upcoming engagement events and other opportunities to provide feedback. If you would like to be invited to join an industry roundtable, or to contact staff directly about this initiative, email
AQBylaw@metrovancouver.org.
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