LCR Planning Handbook cover

The LCR Planning Handbook

The LCR Planning Handbook compiles the results of the Integrated Climate Action for BC Communities Initiative (ICABCCI), drawing on best practices and key learnings. ICABCCI ran from 2018 until 2021 and involved 10 partner communities of all shapes and sizes, and at all stages of climate action. This handbook beings together the learnings and findings from the initiative. It outlines an integrated climate action planning process that is systemic and cross-cutting, identifying opportunities between risk and emissions, while advancing climate action co-benefits.

Partners for Climate Protection

The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program is a network of more than 160 Canadian municipal governments that have committed to reducing greenhouse gases and acting on climate change.

PCP is a partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. It is the Canadian component of the international Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program. PCP receives financial support from FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF), which is managed by the FCM Centre for Sustainable Community Development.

PCP offers:

  • A plan: PCP’s five-milestone framework is a proven municipal strategy to cut GHGs.
  • Resources: PCP members have access to useful resources and information, including case studies, templates, technical assistance and newsletters.
  • Networking: PCP offers valuable opportunities to share experiences with more than 150 participating municipalities, and with an international network of municipal governments.

Eligibility/Deadline:

  • Canadian municipal governments.
  • Join through a resolution at council.
Development Permit Areas for Climate Action : A guide for energy conservation, water conservation and GHG emissions reduction

Development Permit Areas for Climate Action

The purpose of this guide is to help local governments use their DPA authority to conserve energy, conserve water and/or reduce GHG emissions. The guide is intended primarily for local governments and their planning staff. The content of the guide may also benefit others involved in land-use planning and development, including developers, builders, architects, landscape architects and planning consultants.

The information contained in this guide is intended to help local governments make strategic choices about using DPAs effectively for action on climate change. The guide:

  • describes the legislative authority for DPAs for climate action
  • identifies considerations for local governments that are undertaking a climate action DPA
  • presents examples of DPA strategies for energy conservation, water conservation and GHG reduction
  • highlights local government examples of climate action DPAs and related initiatives.

Naturally Resilient Communities

Naturally Resilient Communities shares case studies for city planners, engineers and community leaders looking to utilize green infrastructure solutions.

This is an interactive tool that allows users to choose from various scenarios and narrow down search based on a hazard type, community type and scale to narrow down search results to most relevant case studies.

The tool is US focused but it is relevant for city planners in Canada.

biodiverCITIES: A Primer on Nature in Cities and A Handbook for Municipal Biodiversity Planning and Management

Two companion guidebooks intended for municipal staff ready to utilize biodiversity to make their community resilient, sustainable, and livable. The primer is intended for urban decison-makers who want to explore new approaches to building more sustainable communities, and see examples of where biodiversity has been successfully integrated into municipal services and programs. The handbook is action-oriented resource to motivate change through the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) using a “Milestone” based framework. Both documents provide case studies and other resources to help communities achieve their biodiversity goals and objectives.

biodiverCities: A Primer on Nature in Cities explores why biodiversity should be the business of everyone committed to building more sustainable cities. It is intended for urban decison-makers who want to explore new approaches to this issue, and see examples of where biodiversity has been successfully integrated into municipal services and programs. The Primer is a companion document to an urban biodiversity management guidebook, which operationalizes the theme within the Primer and presents practical and action-orientated steps or “milestones” that municipalities can follow as they pursue a biodiversity plan. Download here

biodiverCITIES: A Handbook for Municipal Biodiversity Planning and Management serves as an informative and action-oriented resource to motivate change through the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) using a “Milestone” based framework. Each Milestone represents a step in the planning and management process, beginning with the development of a Biodiversity Team in the first Milestone, and culminating with a review and update of the BAP in the final Milestone. This Handbook also provides case studies and other resources to help communities achieve their biodiversity goals and objectives. Download here

Asset Management: A Framework for British Columbia

Sustainable service delivery ensures that current community service needs, and how those services are delivered (in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner), do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Communities build and maintain infrastructure to provide services. These services support our quality of life, protect our health and safety, and promote social, economic and environmental well-being.

Failure to care for our infrastructure, manage our natural resources and protect the benefits provided by nature risks degrading, or even losing, the services communities enjoy, and that future generations may rely on. Sound asset management practices support Sustainable Service Delivery by considering community priorities, informed by an understanding of the trade-offs between the available resources and the desired services. Understanding asset management will help governments take climate action in government infrastructure and help understand and manage risk. Climate change is a significant risk to many of the critical services delivered by local governments.

This resource collection, prepared by the Asset Management Community or Practice and UBCM includes:

 

 

Finding the Nexus: Exploring Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

This document briefly describes climate change mitigation and adaptation planning; discusses opportunities for local governments to integrate adaptation and mitigation efforts; provides examples of measures that address both; and highlights synergies between adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as potential contradictions.

As the level of government closest to residents, municipalities are well-positioned to prepare for a changing climate, and many municipalities have already begun responding to this challenge. In the past, climate change response strategies have too often focused on mitigation alone; however, adaptation is a crucial component of a comprehensive climate action plan. This Nexus document briefly describes climate change mitigation and adaptation planning; discusses opportunities for local governments to integrate adaptation and mitigation efforts; provides examples of measures that address both; and highlights synergies between adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as potential contradictions. Mitigation and adaptation are not mutually exclusive and should be seen as a two-pronged approach to managing the short and long-term disturbances to the climate.