Going Green

Learn about the numerous environmental initiatives, policies and strategies the City has implemented to keep Beaumont green.

Resources

Check out our links and resources to see how we are working towards a greener future!

Initiatives

The City of Beaumont is reducing energy use, lowering utility bills and supporting sustainable growth. This helps make the community sustainable, resilient and economically competitive for future generations. Check out recent and upcoming projects…

Beaumont is part of the Municipal Energy Manager (MEM) program, led by the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) and funded by the Government of Alberta.

2025: The City was approved for grants through the MEM program for lighting upgrade projects at its Operations building and City Hall offices. New energy-efficient lighting was installed throughout these buildings. These upgrades improve energy efficiency, reduce the City’s utility costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve office comfort.

The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Government of Alberta. Funding for the MEM program is provided by the Government of Alberta.

2025: Beaumont received funding through the MCCAC’s Community Energy Conservation (CEC) program to support furnace upgrades at the Ken Nichol Regional Recreation Centre (KNRRC).

Eight high-efficiency furnaces were installed throughout the KNRRC to replace units that were nearing the end of their service life. The project helped to:

  • reduce energy use,
  • lower utility costs
  • lower greenhouse gas emissions and
  • improve the comfort of the facility.

The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Government of Alberta. Funding for the CEC program is provided by the Government of Alberta.

2026: Beaumont secured funding from the MCCAC’s Community Energy Conservation (CEC) program to support the replacement of two outdated pumps with more efficient pumps that include variable frequency drives (VFDs) at City Hall.

The installation of these new VFD pumps is planned for the spring/summer of 2026 and will improve energy efficiency and lower operating costs of the building. VFDs improve energy savings by allowing the units to run at variable speeds to match the demand.

The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Government of Alberta. Funding for the CEC program is provided by the Government of Alberta.

Environmental Master Plan

The Environmental Master Plan (EMP) [pdf] is a strategic plan that will guide Beaumont’s progress towards our environmental goals over the next three decades. On August 10, 2021, City Council approved an updated EMP.

Background

In 2020 a process was launched to review and update the 2013 Environmental Master Plan (EMP). The goal of updating the plan was to ensure that the City continues to meet its environmental goals and that it addresses environmental impacts, issues, and services in the City of Beaumont. The process of updating the EMP involved two phases of public engagement, and insights gained from the community were incorporated into the 2021 EMP. On August 10, 2021, the new EMP was approved.

Related documents

Summary

The 2021 EMP is a comprehensive strategic plan to guide Beaumont’s environmental initiatives for the period of 2021 to 2026. The plan is a long-range, strategic plan for the next 30 years. It outlines the vision, goals, measurable outcomes, and actions for the next five years. The plan includes a number of focus areas, including air, community design, ecology, energy, waste and water, through which environmental progress will be made and measured. The EMP provides an integrated approach to environmental sustainability, where different departments within the City of Beaumont and the community at large will work together efficiently to achieve environmental goals and support positive environmental progress. The vision is for the City and community of Beaumont to work together to make sustainable choices to preserve the natural environment for future generations.

How you can help

  1. Reduce your shopping waste by avoiding prepackaged fruits and vegetables, as well as single-wrapped or single-use products.
  2. Evaluate what you do waste and create your own personalized waste-reduction plan.
  3. Avoid buying or consuming products that have excess packaging.
  4. Start a game with your family to see who can waste the least (give out a fun family prize!).
  5. Visit our Conservation page for more ideas on how to go green (and save on your utility bills!)

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions this spring by turning your engine off if parked for more than 3 minutes during warm weather (between 0°C and 30°C). If you are using a drive-thru, picking-up someone from school or running a quick errand, turn off your engine. Idling for 10 seconds uses more fuel than turning off and restarting your engine. If every resident could reduce idling by 1 minute every day, in 1 year we could eliminate enough greenhouse gas emissions to fill 64 NHL-size hockey rinks!

Additional steps

What more can you do to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

  • Minimize the use of remote car starters during warm weather (between 0°C and 30°C).
  • Be more aware of the amount of time you idle.
  • Next winter use a block heater to warm up your engine.
  • Use other ways to get around such as walking or biking.

*Sources: National Resources Canada

Waste Reduction Week (WRW) engages and empowers Canadians to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. WRW is currently held in the third week of October each year.

A call to take action

WRW’s “take action” message calls on all Canadians to adopt more environmentally conscious choices. The Waste Reduction Week educational resources provide information and ideas to reduce waste in all facets of daily living. Reducing waste is 1 solution to the many environmental challenges we face: climate change, water pollution and preservation of natural resources.

History of WRW

Recycling and Waste Reduction Weeks started in the mid-1980s, when a number of recycling councils and environmental organizations began holding provincial events. In 2001, these organizations came together, pooled their resources and expanded their efforts into a national event called Waste Reduction Week in Canada.

Since 2001, Waste Reduction Week in Canada has been organized by a coalition of non-government, not-for-profit environment groups and governments from each of the 13 participating provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada.

Learn more about Circular Economy Month.