The City of Seattle was recently ranked 16th in North America and was among the more than 50 commercial and government fleets that were recognized with a 2020 Green Fleet Award. The award, now in its 13 year, is given annually to agencies that have made strides reducing greenhouse gas emissions by adopting use of electric and hybrid vehicles and utilizing alternative fuels.
Seattle’s fleet is overseen by the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS), a 600-person department with one of the most diverse portfolios in the City that spans 15 divisions, including the City’s Fleet Management Division.
“As demonstrated by recent wildfires, climate change is a real and urgent issue. And it’s incumbent upon us all to treat it as such and take meaningful action. One way we as a City and a department can do that is by making every effort possible to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in our fleet,” said FAS Director Calvin W. Goings. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done and that we will continue to do to meet this moment and this crisis.”
FAS’ Fleet Management Division created the City’s Green Fleet Action Plan, which is modeled nationally and internationally and sets aggressive goals for reducing fleet emissions.
Of the City’s 4,000-vehicle fleet, more than 10% are now electric or hybrid vehicles, resulting in fewer emissions that contribute to climate change and smog.
Electric vehicles in the City’s fleet.
“Even in the most dire of times during the COVID-19 pandemic around the globe, the focus on green sustainability is embedded in the City’s fleet culture. Greener fleets remain a critical part in securing future generations, especially in the most vulnerable underserved communities of Black and brown people,” said Philip Saunders, who has led FAS’ Green Fleet program. “Sustainable green transportation work must continue to be championed to ensure greenhouse gases are reduced through electrification methods by using the City’s cleanest resource of hydro power.”
Two-thirds of Seattle’s climate emissions result from road transportation. That’s in part why Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan launched several actions in 2018 focused on reducing emissions from transportation and buildings.
As a result of this work, and FAS’ efforts, as of 2020:
- All City departments have reduced fuel consumption by over 40,277 gallons compared to the same period in 2019.
- All City departments have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,115 metric tons of carbon compared to the same period in 2019.
- Vehicle miles traveled have been reduced by 103,776 Miles
The City is also committed to promoting environmental stewardship and reducing greenhouse gas emissions when buying goods, materials, services and capital improvements. The Green Purchasing Program is a cooperative effort among City departments that allows staff to strategize, promote and review outcomes, identifying market transformation opportunities, developing specifications and selection criteria, and educating vendors and end users.
Additionally, the City has a policy to provide free bus tickets to employees traveling to meetings and other venues when conducting City business.
FAS’ Fleet Management Division also maintains proactive outreach programs and a robust Race and Social Justice Initiative team to inform all City departments and their employees of the impact their fleet and transportation choices have on saving fuel and reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions, especially in historically underserved communities.
To lean more about the awards, visit http://the100bestfleets.com/gf_winners_2020.htm