Resources
Explore best practices and quick links for each indicator.
Governance
Land Use
Indicator
Governance
Local Governments for Sustainability Canada (ICLEI)
Local Governments for Sustainability Canada (ICLEI) provides a wide range of services for local, provincial and federal governments in support of developing sustainable, climate-ready communities. Services include adaptation and resilience planning, energy and emissions planning, capacity building and more. Learn more.
Guide and Workbook for Municipal Climate Adaptation: Changing Climate, Changing Communities
This Guide and Workbook is a milestone-based framework to assist local governments in the creation of adaptation plans to address the relevant climate change impacts associated with their communities. Learn more.
Community Energy Planning: A Primer for New Brunswick Municipalities
This primer was developed in 2016 a resource for communities interested in developing a community energy plan in New Brunswick. It provides information on the value and benefits of community energy planning, how to get started, how to engage local partners, steps for developing and implementing a plan, and concrete municipal actions and approaches to realizing a community energy plan. Learn more
Calgary's Climate Panel: Fostering a Cross-Sector Leadership Team
Calgary’s Climate Panel, brought together and coordinated by the City, is a collaboration between industry, community and the City. The Calgary Climate Panel provides advice and support for the implementation of Calgary’s Climate Resilience Strategy
Municipal Energy Roadmap by the Green Municipal Fund (GMF)
A detailed report that offers timely and specific guidance in identifying the best solutions for Canadian communities to achieve significant greenhouse gas emission reductions in their municipal and community buildings and meet their long-term sustainability objectives. Download the roadmap report here. Learn more about the Municipal Energy Roadmap here.
Global Covenant of Mayors Canada Companion Guide by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
A simple guide for Canadian municipalities using the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) and/or BARC frameworks who want to join the Global Covenant of Mayors, the world’s largest alliance of cities and local governments in the fight against climate change. Learn more.
Natural Gas Utility Leadership by FortisBC
FortisBC has a clear corporate mandate to support community energy initiatives and partnerships. Their Climate Action Partners program provides a number of resources to local governments, regional districts and Indigenous communities. In September of 2019, FortisBC announced a 30BY30 target, to reduce customer emissions associated with energy by 30% by 2030.
Enhancing Atlantic Climate Resilience by CLIMAtlantic
CLIMAtlantic facilitates access to data and information that supports adaptation to climate change in Atlantic Canada through collaboration, networking, and partnerships. Learn more.
Guide: How to Develop an Asset Management Policy, Strategy and Governance Framework
This guide will show you how to develop an asset management policy, strategy and governance framework for your Canadian municipality. Download the guide here.
Primer and Workbook: Economic Impact of New Brunswick Community Energy Plans
Developed by QUEST Canada, this workbook is aimed at articulating the local economic benefits of the development and implementation of community energy plans (CEPs) with the goal of improving understanding of the value of implementing CEPs among municipalities and their stakeholders in New Brunswick. Download the full workbook here.
Cross-sectoral Leadership by Our Energy Guelph
What began as a task force to update Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative is now an incorporated not-for-profit organization called Our Energy Guelph. Representation on the Our Energy Guelph Board includes members of local businesses, high schools, post-secondary institutions and other community leaders.
The Relationship Agreement & Memorandum of Understanding Toolkit
This is one of many toolkits developed by Future Cities Canada and Evergreen. The toolkit explains and provides a guideline for those who are collaborating with Indigenous communities and/or organizations to create MOUs and relationship agreements that symbolize and put into action the importance of establishing and maintaining respectful, equitable, and reciprocal relationships. Learn more.
Useful Links
- Strategy 3: Governance of The Getting to Implementation Initiative includes information and case studies on a number of governance models
- Research from the University of Waterloo on the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships for the implementation of community energy (or community sustainability) plans
Indicator
Staff
Municipal Climate Change Staff Guide by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Just as no two communities are alike, neither is their approach to tackling climate challenges. This resource was created to aid municipal staff establish themselves as leaders on climate through practical information, resources, checklists and templates. Download the PDF guide here. Learn more about the guide here.
Utility Support by BC Hydro
BC Hydro’s Community Energy Manager program offers funding to help local governments in BC hire a community energy manager.
New Brunswick & PEI (NB-PEI) Municipal Working Group by QUEST Canada
Launched in 2016, the New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island (NB-PEI) Municipal Working Group is a resource for municipalities engaged in community energy planning, partnership-building, and Smart Energy projects to share their experiences, lessons learned, and transfer knowledge about best practices. Learn more.
Energize Bridgewater by Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
The Town of Bridgewater has a dedicated team for the implementation of the Energize Bridgewater Initiative. More information on the initiative and a list of team roles.
Utility Support by Efficiency Nova Scotia
Efficiency Nova Scotia operates a co-funded, on-site energy manager to work with business institutions to help save energy and money.
LEEP Renovation Workshops in London, ON
In London, the City’s building inspectors participated in the Natural Resources Canada and London Home Builder Association’s Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) for Renovations Workshops. More information on the LEEP renovation program and workshops.
Useful Links
-
York University offers a course on community energy planning for land use planners called the Energy Conscious Community: An Energy Planning Course for Planning Professionals.
-
The Canadian Institute for Energy Training offers a variety of courses and certifications for staff involved in community energy planning.
-
British Columbia Institute of Technology and the Community Energy Association offer a variety of courses on community energy management.
Indicator
Data
Municipal Energy Emissions Database (MEED)
The Municipal Energy Emissions Database (MEED) is an open data platform that builds greenhouse gas inventories using downscaled national and regional data sources. The inventories are free. Any local government can use MEED to report on emissions and get started with climate action. Learn more.
Photovoltaic Potential and Solar Resource Maps of Canada
This web-based mapping application gives estimates of photovoltaic potential (in kWh/kWp) and of the mean daily global insolation (in MJ/m2 and in kWh/m2) for any location in Canada on a 60 arc seconds ~2 km grid. Learn more.
The Climate Atlas of Canada
The Climate Atlas of Canada combines climate science, mapping and storytelling to bring the global issue of climate change closer to home for Canadians. It is designed to inspire local, regional and national action that will let us move from risk to resilience. Learn more.
Community Energy & GHG Reporting in London, ON
The City of London publishes an annual Community Energy & Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory that includes a detailed breakdown of energy use from multiple sectors. This inventory is supported by agreements in place with both Enbridge Gas and London Hydro for sharing annual inventory data.
How to Measure, Reduce, and Offset your Company’s Carbon Footprint
Help tackle climate change with this guide to carbon footprint measurement, offsetting, and reduction strategies for your company.
This six-week course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about how companies can help to tackle climate change.
It will be particularly useful to SMEs who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and introduce a carbon offsetting scheme to their company. Learn more.
PIEVC Engineering Protocol
This free protocol systematically reviews historical climate information and projects the nature, severity and probability of future climate changes and events. It also establishes the adaptive capacity of an individual infrastructure as determined by its design, operation and maintenance. Learn more.
An Introduction to Climate Change: A Canadian Perspective
This report discusses the earth’s natural climate, the greenhouse effect, and climate prediction, warmer World and warmer Canada. It also discusses ways in which we can respond to climate change, and the need for action at a global-political, Canadian and citizen level. Download the full report here.
Climate Data for a Resilient Canada
Climate Data provides high-resolution climate data to help decision-makers build a more resilient Canada. Learn more.
Energy Mapping in BC
Energy maps provide a clearer picture of where community energy use and local opportunities are. They can serve as a platform for both education and engagement around land use and transportation implications on energy, prioritization of energy initiatives, and social acceptability for energy projects. BC Climate Action is using Community-scale energy and emissions modelling (CEEM).
Smart Energy Communities Benchmark by QUEST Canada
The Smart Energy Communities Benchmark paints a picture of what a Smart Energy Community looks like, and provides a powerful benchmark that Canadian communities can use to track their progress on their energy-smart journey. Learn more.
Federal Flood Mapping Guidelines Series
In consultation with provincial and territorial partners and key stakeholders, the federal government has developed new documents in the Federal Flood Mapping Guidelines Series. These are a series of evergreen guidelines that will help advance flood mapping activities across Canada. Learn more.
Open Data in Calgary, AB
The City of Calgary has an open data program and website, Open Calgary, which hosts a variety of open data sets to support community-wide energy initiatives, such as the City’s corporate energy use, community-wide GHG emissions, land use, natural areas, and flood information.
Efficient Lifecycle Asset Renewal in Markham, ON
The City of Markham developed a Lifecycle Asset Renewal Framework for corporate energy management to evaluate the incremental cost, savings, incentives, and payback of upgrading to more energy-efficient technology and equipment. This has resulted in equipment renewal with significant ongoing savings, including the incorporation of hybrid electric fleet vehicles.
Useful Links
- Information on climate hazards and adaptation by province and by sector is available at the Adaptation Library.
- Information on the International Emissions Analysis Protocol for the Canadian context is available here: FCM’ PCP Protocol: Canadian Supplement to the International Emissions Analysis Protocol.
- Detailed information on the energy mapping process can be found in the Canadian Urban Institute’s Integrated Energy Mapping for Ontario Communities – Lessons Learned Report.
- Information on data issues and promising practices related to energy mapping.
- The Milestone Tool, available to members for the Partners for Climate Protection program, offers a Scenario Builder function to do general energy and GHG emissions modelling.
- Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with the City of Prince George, developed a Spatial Community Energy, Cost, and Carbon Characterization (SCEC3) model to evaluate actions related to residential buildings
Indicator
Financials
Municipal Climate Resilience grant by INTACT
Intact Public Entities and the Intact Foundation have launched the Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant to help municipalities adapt to climate change and keep people safe. They have invested $1 million in cities and towns across Canada that are developing practical and effective solutions to protect communities from floods or wildfires. Learn more.
Community Efficiency Financing
Administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), provides funding to municipalities to support the planning, implementation and scaling up of home-energy upgrade financing programs for residential energy projects. Learn more.
Community Energy Financial Assessment in Bridgewater, NS
The Town of Bridgewater conducted a Financing Mechanism Scopy Study to identify and match initiatives with appropriate ownership structures, contract types, and financing vehicles.
The Town also offers a Clean Energy Financing program that enables homeowners to install clean energy upgrades using a Property Assessed Clean Energy financing mechanism, or PACE.
Supportive Land Use Incentives in Grande Prairie, AB
The City of Grande Prairie is dedicated to the revitalization of the downtown core and the Downtown Incentives Program is designed to encourage building improvements and new residential development in the City’s core.
Green Municipal Fund (GMF)
The Green Municipal Fund (GMF) helps local governments switch to sustainable practices faster. Their unique mix of funding, resources and training gives municipalities the tools they need to build resiliency — and create better lives for Canadians. Learn more.
Financing Tools for Local Climate Action Toolkit
Energy Reserve Fund in Hamilton, ON
The City of Hamilton has an Energy Reserve used to fund energy projects, studies, pilot projects, and other activities, and is replenished through avoided operating utility costs as well as incentives and other sources of revenues. More information can be found in the City of Hamilton Corporate Energy Policy.
Energy Efficiency Programs by Arctic Energy Alliance, NWT
The Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) administers programs for communities in the Northwest Territories that directly distribute funds in the form of rebates to homeowners, businesses, and institutions, and when programs do not directly provide funds but valuable advice, expertise and assistance.
System Advisor Model (SAM) Tool
The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a free techno-economic software model that facilitates decision-making for people in the renewable energy industry. SAM can create financial models as well as renewable energy models for a variety of projects. Learn more.
The Environmental Trust Fund
Exclusive to the province of New Brunswuick, the Environmental Trust Fund provides assistance for action-oriented projects with tangible, measurable results, aimed at protecting, preserving and enhancing the Province’s natural environment. Learn more
Green Development Standards in Toronto, ON
The City of Toronto provides development charge rebates for new construction that meets the City’s green development standards, the Toronto Green Standard.
Useful Links
- FCM’s On The Money: Financing Tools for Local Climate Action toolkit explains how municipalities can leverage private and community investors for climate action projects.
- S2E Technologies and FCM created a comprehensive guide on financing net-zero communities using community improvement plans. The guide includes a robust overview of net-zero technologies as well.
- Information on financial repayment mechanisms is available in the TAF Technical Guidance Note on Energy Efficiency Financing Tools for the Canadian Context.
- A list of Ontario communities that have implemented revolving funds, as well as a description of how they are structured can be found in a City of Oshawa public report.
- The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has produced a discussion paper identifying challenges and solutions related to congestion charges in Canada.
- Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission has a report on implementing congestion charges in Canada with case study examples.
- The Canadian Urban Sustainability Practitioners (CUSP) network launched the Energy Poverty and Equity Explorer, a powerful online mapping tool, and a pair of associated primer documents.
Indicator
Strategy
Toolkit: Develop and Implement Community Resiliency Plan
The Justice Institute of British Columbia offers a full suite of digital tools to help communities develop and implement a Community Resiliency Plan. Learn more.
Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy (AIRE) Protocol
Provided by QUEST Canada, the Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy (AIRE) Protocol provides municipalities with the means to establish and deploy more collaborative planning processes for local renewable energy development. Learn more.
Guide: Integrating Climate Change Considerations into Municipal Asset Management
Integrating climate change into asset management is not easy. Climate change and its implications for municipal services and infrastructure are complex. Using this guide you will help your municipality establish a clear process and framework. Download the guide here. Learn more about climate resilience and asset management here.
Report: Building Community Resilience: Key Considerations and Lessons Learned from 12 Canadian Communities
This report presents lessons learned from participating municipalities and energy utilities and leverages them into a guide for communities interested in starting or reviewing their climate adaptation and climate planning strategy and their emergency responses, with a specific lens on energy infrastructure. Download the full report here.
Report: Combatting Canada’s Rising Flood Costs: Natural Infrastructure is an Underutilized Option
Prepared by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (2018), this report provides guidance to those considering or opting for a natural infrastructure solution using the Natural Infrastructure Implementation Framework. Learn more.
The Corporate and Community Energy Action Plan in Yellowknife, NWT
The Yellowknife Corporate and Community Energy Action Plan lists actions that aim to reduce energy and GHG emissions. These actions, both corporate and community focused, are linked to different sectors, including transportations, heating and electricity, waste management, and future innovation/legislation changes. The Corporate and Community Energy Action Plan covers 2015 to 2025 and is set to be renewed at the end of the 10-year period.
Campbell River, BC
The City of Campbell River was one of three pilot communities in the Getting To Implementation Initiative. The City’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan document was updated in 2016 with implementation in mind and includes a list of near-term priority actions. Like other municipalities participating in BC’s Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program, Campbell River reports annually on the community’s progress.
2014 Community Energy Action Plan in London, ON
London’s 2014 Community Energy Action Plan (CEAP) is a leading example of a community energy plan that incorporates SMART principles. Lessons learned and progress made from the plan are clearly outlined on the City’s website and will be built upon for the forthcoming 2019 plan update.
Enhancing the Resilience of Canadian Electricity Systems for a Net Zero Future
This scoping paper examines the expected climate-induced risks to Canadian electricity systems and discusses opportunities to enhance their resilience on the path to net zero. Read more.
Partners for Climate Protection (PCP)
The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program is a national network of over 400 municipalities with the shared goal of taking action against climate change and reducing local greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more.
Energy Poverty and Equity Explorer
The Energy Poverty and Equity Explorer tool, developed by Canadian Urban Sustainability Practitioners (CUSP), offers municipalities access to relevant data so they can better understand energy poverty and other equity and affordability challenges in their communities. The resource is designed to help municipal staff develop equitable and inclusive clean energy programs to meet residents’ needs. Learn more.
Climate Resilience and Asset Management Video Series
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) created this video series to share how municipalities and practitioners across Canada are making climate action a part of their municipal asset management practices and decision-making. Learn more.
Guide: Community Resilience Mini Guide
Actionable strategies to build community climate resilience. Download the full guide here.
The Community Energy Implementation Framework
A guide to help communities move Community Energy Plans from a vision to implementation. It includes ten strategies that provide insights, advice and a proposed path forward to foster widespread political, staff and stakeholder support, build staff and financial capacity, and embed energy into local plans, policies and processes to support implementation. Learn more.
Building Community Resilience Through Asset Management: A Handbook & Toolkit For Alberta Municipalities
This handbook introduces asset management concepts with a focus on implementation to small and mid-sized communities. Learn more.
Community Energy Investment Plan development process in Bridgewater, NS
The Community Energy Investment Plan development process in the Town of Bridgwater employed a multi‐pronged approach to engage the community, including low-income residents, community organizations, local businesses and other stakeholders. Details are available on the Energize Bridgewater website.
Climate Resilience Strategy in Calgary, AB
The City of Calgary’s Climate Resilience Strategy is operating as a community energy plan. Actions indicate which business units are involved and who they will work with externally. The Strategy outlines a schedule of annual reporting, with a review and update one year in advance of four-year budgetary cycle. The Climate Panel continues to meet regularly, and the Calgary Climate Symposium is held annually.
Indigenous Clean Energy Leadership for Canada’s Clean, Electric Future
This paper traces the rising waves of Indigenous participation in clean energy over the past two decades. It looks at how to catalyze exponential growth in Indigenous clean energy opportunities, proposing specific actions and initiatives that can materially contribute to Canada’s clean electricity future. Read more.
The Cost of Doing Nothing (CODN) Toolbox
Developed by ICLEI – Local Government for Sustainability, this toolbox provides a jumping-off point for municipalities to assess the costs of doing nothing within their own local context, and support their own climate adaptation planning process. It provides municipal decision-makers with guidance on collecting locally-relevant data and weighing the costs of action versus inaction. Learn more.
Municipal Climate Action Hub (MCA Hub)
The Municipal Climate Action Hub is one of the resources provided to the Community of Practice across Canada. It focuses on providing municipal staff with curated resources on climate change mitigation and adaptation, tailored to the municipality’s current progress and institutional readiness in the respective areas. Learn more.
Community Energy Planning Toolkit
Created by the Community Energy Association (CEA), this toolkit is written primarily for local elected officials, municipal and regional planners and engineers, real estate developers, as well as anyone interested in community sustainability and energy opportunities. Learn more.
Guide: Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities with Asset Management
Read this guide to learn why you should build sustainable practices into your asset management approach, and how you can get started. Download the guide here.
All Hazards Risk Assessment Methodology Guidelines
This document has been developed by Public Safety Canada, in close partnership with Defence Research and Development Canada – Centre for Security Science, as part of the federal All Hazards Risk Assessment initiative (2012-2013). Download here.
The Lily Pad Network: A Natural Analogy to Advance Resiliency
The Lily Pad Network is a conceptual framework that takes the concept of resiliency hubs and applies it to the experience of Hurricane Harvey. The lily pad analogy came from the idea that resiliency hubs are like the elements that float above danger when disaster strikes. Learn more.
Community Disaster Resilience Planning
Building community disaster resilience is an ongoing, year-round process aimed at strengthening a community’s ability to respond to disaster. This site guides you and your community team through the Community Disaster Resilience Planning (CDRP) process. Learn more.
Accessing Indigenous Traditional Knowledge: A Toolkit
The Toolkit outlines how to use storytelling and talking circles to facilitate the sharing of Traditional Knowledge (TK) about Indigenous resilience among TK holders, their communities and local emergency management practitioners. Download the toolkit here.
Municipal Energy Plan in Markham, ON
Markham completed a robust financial analysis of initiatives in the Municipal Energy Plan (MEP). This included net present values, returns on investment, marginal abatement costs, capital investments required, impacts on energy expenditures, employment impacts, and additional costs (i.e. for carbon offsets and green energy). More information on the financial impacts modelled can be found in section 3 of the MEP.
The What Works Toolkit
An online toolkit, designed for Canadian organizations looking to adopt equity and diversity initiatives within their organizations. It includes tangible actions organizations and individuals can take, resources designed to set out policies and approaches for recruitment, mentorship, promotion, and retention of board members and employees, as well as anti-racism, anti-harassment, and inclusive workplace strategies, and other related relevant activities and initiatives. The toolkit also features examples from Canadian organizations, profiling diversity successes. Learn more.
Useful Links
- A number of resources are available on the value proposition of community energy planning, and strategies for implementation, on the Getting To Implementation webpage.
- Practice-based academic research and a number of tools for community energy plan implementation are available on the Community Energy Knowledge Action Partnership (CEKAP) webpage.
- Do you want to make addressing climate change at the local level a career? Check out the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Community Energy Management program.
Indicator
Land Use
Public Engagement on Land Use in Beaconsfield, QC
The City of Beaconsfield has held information sessions and open houses involving residents, community organizations and municipal representatives, and use advisory committees (including a Planning and Environmental Advisory Committee) as forums to address land and energy use issues. Learnings from engagement activities provided a foundation for the Report on land use planning and evolving housing needs in 2016. The report still serves as an important tool for current and new projects, providing the basis for ongoing engagement and actions taken in the development areas addressed in the plan.
Green Development Metrics in Richmond Hill, Brampton, Vaughan, ON
The City of Richmond Hill, in partnership with the City of Brampton, and the City of Vaughan, developed Sustainability Performance Metrics that are used to score development applications during Site Plan and Draft Plan approval. Metrics include building energy efficiency, solar readiness and passive solar alignment, and energy management.
Public Engagement on Land Use in Yellowknife, NWT
The City of Yellowknife engaged members of the public on land use planning through focus groups and open sessions, as well as an interactive Story Cube Engagement Session. The Engagement has occurred beyond sessions at City Hall, including at the Farmer’s Market, Festival on Franklin, and Centre Square Mall.
Integration of Renewable Energy into Zoning Bylaw in Saint John, NB
The City of Saint John, NB amended the Municipal Plan and Zoning ByLaw to promote and identify Green Energy Zones.
Smart Growth in Grande Prairie, AB
The guiding principles in the City of Grande Prairie’s Municipal Development Plan include managing growth, enhancing the downtown, and developing healthy walkable safe neighbourhoods that integrate uses, increase densities, and apply innovative compact subdivisions and building designs. The Urban Residential Development Grant is a per dwelling financial incentive to encourage the addition of residential units in the downtown area.
Wind-friendly Zoning Bylaw in Kings, NS
The County of Kings, NS, adopted a wind-friendly zoning bylaw (read Sections 14.3.31 to 14.3.33 and 15), including ‘small-scale wind turbines’ as a permitted use in rural areas. Accessory wind turbines (up to 25 feet in height) are permitted in all zones while rural zones are able to build a turbine up to 115 feet.
Useful Links
- The City of Pickering’s Sustainable Placemaking Guidelines provides guidance for energy efficiency and sustainability in neighbourhood design and building features.
- The Community Energy Knowledge Action Partnership (CEKAP) produced a set of five Ontario case studies on net-zero development.
- Information on good building practices for Northern Communities is available from the Northwest Territories Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists handbook.
- The BC Climate Action Toolkit has a variety of case studies and examples of integrating energy and climate change into land use planning.
- Natural Resources’s Canada has a suite of resources for energy efficiency in new buildings.
- FCM has a comprehensive overview of sustainable new development with the report Sustainable Neighbourhood Development: Practical Solutions to Common Challenges.
- Information on embedding energy into land-use plans, policies, tools and processes is available in QUEST’s Integrated Community Energy Solutions Municipal Policy Toolkit.
- Information and resources on natural assets is available on the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative website and also the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition website.
- Information on how tree coverage can be used to influence energy demands is available in Chicago’s urban forest ecosystem: Results of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project.
Indicator
Energy Networks
Maturity Scale for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
Canadian BioEnergy Center (CBEC)
Canadian BioEnergy Center (CBEC) provides technological support to the forest and agriculture sectors to work cooperatively towards the common goal of developing an ecologically sustainable and economically viable bioenergy sector in Canada and the world. Learn more.
Energy System Education, ATCO
ATCO’s Energy Education Mobile is a 40-foot classroom on wheels that travels throughout Alberta and helps educate youth on Alberta’s energy resources and the importance of energy efficiency.
Energy System Education, ATCO
ATCO’s Energy Education Mobile is a 40-foot classroom on wheels that travels throughout Alberta and helps educate youth on Alberta’s energy resources and the importance of energy efficiency.
Utility Climate Change Adaptation Planning, BC Hydro
BC Hydro reports on actions relating climate risk management in the Adaptation to Climate Change section of their Carbon Neutral Action Report. According to the 2018 report, BC Hydro is in the process of developing a climate change adaptation plan. Though the plan is still under development, the Carbon Neutral Action Report provides a high-level summary of their research on climate risks, and actions to address impacts such as investing in new technology and processes to improve response times during emergencies.
RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software
The RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software platform enables low-carbon planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Learn more.
Wind Energy Development: Best Practices for Indigenous & Public Engagement
This best practice guide outlines practices and procedures to facilitate the responsible and sustainable development of wind energy in Canada. Download the full guide here.
New Brunswick Renewable Energy Case Studies
Renewables New Brunswick is an online centre that aims to promote energy efficiency, sustainability best practices, and renewable projects and technologies throughout the province of New Brunswick. Learn more.
Utility Integrated Resource Planning, Enbridge Gas Inc.
Enbridge conducted a study to assess the potential of demand-side management initiatives to influence future natural gas infrastructure investment
EV Charging Infrastructure Implementation, Alectra
Alectra’s Drive for the Workplace program resulted in the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Markham. Alectra owns and operates the equipment and manages the maintenance costs.
PVWatts® Calculator
Estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations. Learn more.
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
CanREA is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. They work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Learn more.
Wood-fired district heating, Yellowknife NWT
The City of Yellowknife has a biomass district energy system that uses a wood pellet boiler to provide heating for five community facilities. Information about the system can be found in the press release for winning the FCM Sustainable Communities Award.
Smart Grid Innovation Network
The Smart Grid Innovation Network supports Canada’s clean energy transition by advocating for the smart energy sector. Through education, vendor support, business model innovation and smart grid technology, they leverage their position in the Canadian energy sector to create impact. Learn more.
Power-to-Gas Leadership, Enbridge Gas Inc.
Enbridge’s power-to-gas project in Markham uses lower cost and lower GHG intensive electricity during off-peak times to generate hydrogen via electrolysis, which can then be used to generate electricity during peak times. The hydrogen can also be injected into the natural gas system, helping substitute volumes of natural gas and lowering the carbon intensity of the natural gas stream.
Useful Links
- QUEST’s Resilient Pipes & Wires Report identifies the state of awareness, measures, and policies being put in place by electric, natural gas, and thermal energy distributors:
- A comprehensive overview and guide on planning for and developing district energy systems in Canada is available in the International District Energy Association’s report, Community Energy: Planning, Development & Delivery – Strategies for Thermal Networks
- Sustainable Solutions Group’s Plan4DE tool provides pre-pre-feasibility modelling support for district energy opportunities
- Information on advanced district energy systems (4th Generation District Heating systems) that use lower temperatures and renewable energy sources is available in a report from the 4DH research centre
Indicator
Water & Waste
The Gaia Project
The Gaia Project nurtures the natural curiosity and intelligence of New Brunswick students through inquiry-based projects about energy, waste, water, transportation and sustainability. Learn more.
Water Conservation Engagement, Beaconsfield QC
The City of Beaconsfield was awarded a certificate as part of Réseau Environnement’s Municipalité Écon’eau program; as their total drinking water consumption decreases year after year and they regularly carry out awareness-raising activities as part of the Drinking Water Conservation Program.
Biomass Solutions Biomasse (BSB)
Biomass Solutions Biomasse (BSB) is a leading biomass energy provider, offering the sale of BTUs through contract and biomass heating equipment. BSB provides a profitable solution to replace fossil fuels while supporting the growth of the local economy. Learn more.
Water Efficiency Planning, Calgary AB
The City of Calgary’s Water Efficiency Plan includes actions for leak detection, water meters, city facility retrofits, a toilet rebate program and low flow showerhead bylaw requirements.
Waste Reduction and Reuse, Markham ON
Markham’s unique Milk Bag Program began in 2011, and involves local community groups crocheting mats out of milk bags to help support disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Waterproof and durable, the finished mats were sent to emergency zones as temporary sleeping and surgical mats, providing critical resources to families in need.
Useful Links
- Information on Canadian municipal water conservation or water efficiency program adoption is available in the Centre for Water Resources Studies survey
- The City of Calgary provides a guidebook on installation best practices for rainwater harvesting systems
- The Green Municipal fund has information on and funding for water and waste initiatives
- Information on wastewater management is available from the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment report, Sustainable wastewater management: A handbook for smaller communities
- Environment and Climate Change Canada’s presentation, Thermal Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste in Canada, provides an overview and considerations on waste to energy projects
- An overview of waste recovery initiatives in Canada is available in the State of Waste Management in Canada report prepared for the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment.
- Information on implementing tipping fees is available in the Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission’s report Cutting the Waste: How to save money while improving our solid waste systems
Indicator
Transportation
The Gaia Project
The Gaia Project nurtures the natural curiosity and intelligence of New Brunswick students through inquiry-based projects about energy, waste, water, transportation and sustainability. Learn more.
Electric Transit in Grande Prairie, AB
Grande Prairie’s new electric buses will save on maintenance costs and reduce emissions. A solar array will be used to supply the buses with green electricity.
Transportation Demand Management Plan in Sudbury ON
The City of Sudbury, Ontario, has an extensive Transportation Demand Management Plan, which includes ongoing community engagement and a Community Grant Program.
Electric Car Sharing in QC
10 municipalities in Quebec are part of a YHC Environnement Project, Projet SAUVéR, with the goal to establish a functional base for a green electric route in Quebec that will demonstrate the benefits of electric cars and car-sharing to the public.
Electric Utility Leadership by BC Hydro
Fleet greening plays a critical role in BC Hydro’s carbon neutral action planning. According to the 2018 Carbon Neutral Action Plan, BC Hydro’s green fleet consists of 86% electric and hybrid cars, 66% hybrids in the compact SUV class, 7% hybrids in the mid-size SUV segment and 14% electric forklifts. BC Hydro is developing a telematics program that will provide actionable operational data related to fuel use and driver behaviour, continuing to promote ride-sharing, and continuing to promote the use of shared vehicles across the province to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Reimagining Public Spaces: New Shared Mobility Solutions - A Practitioner's Toolkit
The Reimagining Public Spaces toolkit provides a simple starting point for communities to explore innovative approaches for public spaces, accelerate their potential to meet the unique challenges of their own context, and better address the diverse needs of all. Learn more.
Car Share Co-op in Yellowknife NWT
The Yellowknife Car Share Co-op was created through a collaboration between Cloudworks and Ecology North, and was supported by the City with a Zoning Bylaw that specifies amendments to parking requirements for car shares.
Natural Gas Utility Leadership by Enbridge Gas Inc.
Enbridge has the largest natural gas vehicle fleet in Canada with – 628 of 841 fleet vehicles ran on natural gas by the end of 2016.
Useful Links
- Information on developing multimodal transportation infrastructure in small and rural towns available from the U.S. Department of Transportation Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks.
- A list of Ontario local governments that have bicycle parking standards in zoning bylaws and design standards can be found in Appendix B of the Review & Assessments of Parking and Loading Standards study conducted for the City of Markham
- Information on the street design that supports active transportation is available via:
- Transportation Association of Canada’s (TAC) Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads
- Federal Highway Administration’s(FHWA) Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks Guide
- VeloQuébec’s Planning and Design for Pedestrians and Cyclists: A technical guide
- National Association of City Transportation Officials’ (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide
- British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Active Transportation Design Guide
- Transportation Canada’s Planning Guide to Active Transportation in Canada
- Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency has a database of municipal anti-idling policies and programs
- Information on green fleet action planning is available on the BC Climate Action Toolkit.
- A series of case studies of natural gas vehicle use can be found in the Natural Gas Vehicle Roadmap 2.0
- Pollution Probe has a number of information guides and reports relating to transportation. Of particular interest is Decarbonizing Transportation in Canada: Building a Foundation for Success and the Framework for Municipal ZEV Deployment Report
Indicator
Buildings
The Canadian Passive House Institute (CanPHI)
The Canadian Passive House Institute (CanPHI) is a registered non-profit educational organization providing Canadians with the knowledge, tools and confidence to design and construct buildings that meet the world’s most radical and verified energy standard, the international Passive House Standard. Learn more.
Power Down Campbell River initiative in Campbell River, BC
The City of Campbell River connects residents to a number of incentives offered by CleanBC via the Power Down Campbell River initiative and offers an additional top-up for home energy evaluations.
Public Education on Energy Savings by Energize Bridgewater
Energize Bridgewater’s Resources web page includes documents and videos on home energy, renewable energy and home energy efficiency.
The Municipal Guide to Net Zero Energy Ready Building Codes
Municipalities across Canada have set ambitious climate targets. The path to meeting these climate commitments must include finding ways to optimize building energy efficiency. This guide contains everything you need to understand tiered codes, the advantages of adopting an ambitious tier, and how municipalities can use the new codes to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Download the guide.
Climate Resilient Home (CRH)
The Climate Resilient Home (CRH) provides a road map to help homeowners, builders, municipal staff and elected officials in the Greater Edmonton Region make investment and policy decisions to improve the climate resiliency of homes. Learn more.
Corporate Building Leadership by Inuvik, NWT
The Town of Inuvik developed a Building Energy Monitoring System for town-owned facilities, which tracks real-time building data, including electricity and fuel use, and reports it publicly online.
Electric Utility Leadership by BC Hydro
BC Hydro incorporates energy savings opportunities and sustainable design aspects into their capital construction and renovation plans. They also integrate life-cycle costing into project decision making. The 2018 Carbon Neutral Action Report showcases their leadership in new building design and existing building retrofits. Features include air source heat pumps, improved building envelope performance, energy efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and plumbing fixtures, as well as efficient operational layouts and optimized space utilization
Shift Energy - Energy Optimization Software (EOS)
Energy Optimization Software (EOS) is a highly secure cloud-based software that works with your existing building systems to reduce energy costs in commercial buildings. Learn more.
Building Energy Benchmarking in Edmonton AB
As of April 2019, The City of Edmonton’s Building Energy Benchmarking program included 159 properties, representing 2,763,000 m2 of floor area. Information on the program and its results are available in the program’s Year 2 Benchmarking report.
An Introduction to Sustainability in the Built Environment by Future Learn Featuring UK Green Building Council
Discover the importance of the built environment in fighting the climate crisis and the role you can play in influencing change; guided by the experts at the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). Learn more.
Useful Links
- Natural Resources Canada offers incentives on benchmarking and disclosure for industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings