Topic: climate solutions

Powering our Province

This report seeks to identify opportunities for rural communities in BC to become engaged in the clean energy sector.

The findings for this study are based on extensive secondary research supplemented by opinions and insights gathered through in-depth interviews with a representative sample of Independent Power Producer (IPP) companies in BC, as well as clean energy technology developers/ manufacturers, provincial and municipal government agencies, First Nations communities, power utilities, and other key stakeholders.

Many rural communities and First Nations, as well as the provincial government, are interested in exploring how the development of clean energy resources can contribute to economic growth and diversification. This is especially true for forestry-dependent communities in the interior of the province in areas affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic and the collapse of the US housing market.

This report identifies five immediate business and employment opportunity areas for rural communities related to clean energy development. These are:

  1.  Skilled trades and construction;
  2.  Community and First Nations engagement;
  3.  Scientific and environmental monitoring;
  4.  Plant operations and maintenance; and
  5.  Indirect business support.

Renewable Energy Guide for Local Governments in British Columbia

The guide looks into renewable energy. Renewable energy includes sources of energy that are neither derived from fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, natural gas and propane) nor from nuclear power. Renewable energy also includes the recovery of waste heat that would otherwise be lost, even if that heat is produced by non-renewable energy sources.

This guide does not address energy efficiency, which can often provide cost-effective emissions reductions and savings. Renewable energy should be considered alongside other energy initiatives, including energy efficiency, sustainable transportation and sustainable community planning.

Plan2Adapt

Climate change impacts do not affect every region of British Columbia in the same way. The Plan2Adapt tool generates maps, plots, and data describing projected future climate conditions for regions throughout British Columbia.

About the Tool:

  • Assists users in assessing climate change in their region based on a standard set of climate model projections.
  • Is similar to the PCIC Climate Explorer (PCEX) and uses the same data to generate its output.

Passive Design Toolkit for Homes

The toolkit has been written to inform City staff and the design and development communities about passive design. While covering best practices, the toolkit addresses the specific needs of Vancouver and outlines a succinct definition of what ‘passive’ means for Vancouver. This toolkit can be used as a reference for best practices, and considered complementary to design guidelines and policy.

Making Progress on B.C.’s Climate Action Plan

British Columbia’s world-leading Climate Action Plan was launched in 2008 with aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) targets of a 33% reduction from 2007 levels by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050. This report lets British Columbians know if the Climate Action Plan is on track. The indicators are very positive.

Provincial GHG’s fell 4.5% from 2007 to 2010 while at the same time, BC’s GDP growth outpaced the Canadian average, demonstrating that a strong carbon pricing policy that is revenue neutral can coexist with a growing economy. In fact the policy of taxing something undesirable (GHG  emissions) and reducing taxes on something desirable (income) is leading to innovative clean technology growth and changes in behaviour as both companies and individuals make choices based on the carbon pricing policy.

ICES Municipal Policy Toolkit

The purpose of ICES Municipal Policy Toolkit is to provide municipal and provincial staff members, councils and policymakers in Ontario and elsewhere with the resources they need to achieve an ICES action in their community.

It is hoped that this toolkit will help advance the wide-scale implementation of ICES, which in turn will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency across a variety of sectors and improve livability and quality of life in communities.

Creating Complete, Compact and Energy-Efficient Communities in BC: How Fiscal Tools Can Be An Opportunity For Local Governments

The research paper is intended to assist the provincial and local governments of British Columbia, citizens, civil society organizations and other stakeholders in expanding the conversation on the tools available for local governments to create complete, compact, and energy-efficient communities. Its focus is on fiscal tools to reduce sprawl, increase density, and support a reduction in car dependency, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions. This paper examines those tools presently available to local governments, and those that could be available through changes in legislative powers.

Community Energy Planning: The Value Proposition

Community Energy Plans (CEPs) provide the pathway for communities to become aware of and take part in solid economic returns on investments, environmental gains, health benefits, and improved quality of life for local residents.

Canadian cities, towns and villages have influence over approximately 60 percent of energy consumption and over half of all GHG emissions in Canada. Consequently, communities have the potential to make significant contributions to addressing Canada’s current and future energy and climate challenges.

A Community Energy Plan (CEP) is a tool that drives community priorities around energy with a view to increasing efficiency, reducing emissions and driving economic development.

The report draws primarily on the findings of six comprehensive economic analyses of CEP actions and programs, and case studies to illustrate the value proposition of CEP implementation to communities across Canada.

Clean Energy for a Green Economy

Clean Energy for a Green Economy is an introduction guide to the wide range of clean energy strategies and green economy opportunities for rural communities in British Columbia. Rural communities can benefit by leading the development of clean energy and energy efficiency, and the transition to a green economy.

Primary benefits include:

  • improved air quality
  • local economic development through attracting investment, clean energy job
    creation, infrastructure development and keeping energy dollars circulating locally
  • increased local energy reliability, resilience and security.

These projects can result in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, which support local, provincial and global climate objectives. The report is written written primarily for local governments and band councils, elected officials and staff, to support an active local government and band role in the development of clean energy and a green economy.