CIUSSS fleet highlights sustainable travel
To mark Sustainable Mobility Week, CIUSSS de l'estrie - CHUS Technical Services Director Jean Ferland and Deputy Kim Houle on Wednesday introduced the institution’s new fleet of electric vehicles, which represent one of the means used to update its sustainable development plan, in accordance with the Government of Québec's Action Plan for Transportation Electrification 20152020.
"We know very well that there is a link between greenhouse gas emissions and health,” Ferland said. ”As a major health institution, we want to set an example. It is no exaggeration to say that the CIUSSS de l’estrie - CHUS has an important ethical role vis-à-vis the population and must play a leading role in sustainable development,”
With 17,000 people working every day, the CIUSSS de l’estrie – CHUS has an important impact on group travel in Sherbrooke and is a member of the Steering Committee of the Center for Sustainable Mobility in Sherbrooke.
Increasingly Green
The fleet is made up of 46 vehicles, 14 of which are electric or plug-in hybrids. In addition, 63 charging stations are available in 28 car parks throughout the territory
It is also desirable to increase the supply linked to the sustainable mobility of staff and a budget of $500,000 annually has been set aside for these initiatives from parking revenues.
Other sustainable development projects
A harmonized sustainable development policy, taking advantage of the positive experiences and strategies of the former establishments that now form the CIUSSS de l’estrie – CHUS will be adopted in the short term. Moreover, when building or renovating projects are planned, eco-responsible criteria will be integrated into the institution's tenders for the purchase of goods and services.
"Thanks to its involvement in sustainable development, the CIUSSS de l’estrie – CHUS acts as a responsible institutional citizen because it recognizes the importance of managing environmental impact adequately so as to avoid causing significant negative health effects," added Houle.