Financing Implementation
We find ourselves engaged in climate finance conversations more than we ever have been. Earlier this month, it was as we reflected on the Financing Resilient Infrastructure Project and while we launched the Getting Ready to Finance Toolkit — a toolkit designed to help municipal practitioners prepare resilient infrastructure projects for financing. Shortly thereafter, it was during one-on-one meetings with participants of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCOM) Canada Implementation Cohort where many of them identified financing as an area to focus our collaborative work in order for them to achieve their ambitious climate plans.
More financing conversations were stirred when the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board announced the release of its first proposed Canadian Sustainability Disclosure Standards, marking a significant milestone in Canadian sustainability reporting. Many in our network are talking about how we can collaborate with the upcoming launch of the Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative that will provide funding and skills development support to local governments to adapt and build long-term resiliency to the impacts of climate change, and there is a lot of hope for the April Federal Budget to unlock key financing mechanisms to help achieve climate goals.
No matter the reason, these climate finance discussions are welcome additions to our local climate discourse. We see them as a sign of maturity — a sign that the local climate movement is becoming more mainstream as it gains the kind of financial systems that are integral to its success. We are looking forward to more of these climate finance discussions, not just as spring blossoms across Canada, but throughout the year ahead.
Megan Meaney
Executive Director, ICLEI Canada
Ewa Jackson
Managing Director, ICLEI Canada
Discover the Getting Ready to Finance Toolkit
The Getting Ready to Finance Toolkit is designed to help municipal practitioners prepare resilient infrastructure projects for financing. It contains examples of resilient infrastructure projects that could be implemented with the help of innovative financing, along with the tools needed to identify and prepare similar projects for financing based on the unique needs and circumstances of different communities.
Exciting Projects in the Works!
Tackling Implementation Challenges Head-on with the GCOM Cohort
What do we do in the face of a challenge? We rise to it! Fourteen municipalities in the GCOM Canada Implementation Cohort are doing just that. Convened by ICLEI Canada and financed by the European Union, the Cohort is a training and collaboration program designed to help support municipal staff in the implementation phase of their climate mitigation and/or adaptation efforts.
Bridging the gap between planning and implementation is a formidable but necessary step in realizing our climate targets and securing a low-carbon, resilient future. The GCOM Implementation Cohort is tackling this challenge by providing implementation support to municipal staff through one-to-one meetings, group trainings, peer-to-peer workshops, and tailored deliverables. By working together, we are identifying our implementation challenges and devising strategies to tackle them head-on. Virtual collaborations are taking place until September, 2024 and participants will convene on the occasion of GCOM’s Innovate4Cities Conference in Montreal.
Building Momentum for Climate Action Through Meaningful Partnerships
Local governments from across Canada have set ambitious goals for deep emissions reductions, made commitments to energy transition, and have an obligation to protect their communities from climate risk — but they cannot do this alone. Robust, inclusive, and long-term partnerships are required to implement climate action at all scales.
The Local Climate Partnership project aims to create cross-sectoral collaborations deemed essential for the advancement of climate action. This one-year project, which is generously funded by the Trottier Family Foundation, seeks to accelerate local climate action across Canada by building foundations for local climate partnerships. Participating communities will define shared climate priorities based on their unique needs and circumstances, establish a governance mechanism, and develop a long-term strategy for implementation. The goal is to mobilize action and foster collaboration at the scale and pace necessary to meet the climate challenge.
Building to Net-Zero
Does your community struggle to optimize building energy efficiency? We are working on a new project to address this problem, supported by the Government of Canada.
The Building to Net-Zero project will engage a collaborative cohort of municipalities and form the basis of a nation-wide community of practice. This project will help small to mid-sized municipalities adopt tiered building energy performance frameworks in alignment with the National Energy Code for Buildings, the National Building Code of Canada 2020, and prepare for other high-performance buildings codes. Stay tuned to learn more about this exciting project.
Supporting Climate Planning in Québec
In response to the growing challenges posed by climate change, the Government of Québec is investing $500 million in the Accélérer la transition climatique locale program. How can municipal organizations in Québec’s make the most of this funding to develop and implement climate plans? Use our free resources or work directly with us!
The Building Adaptive and Resilient Communities and the Partners for Climate Protection frameworks (which are compatible with the Ouranos Adaptation Guide, the Inventory Guide, and standard 14 064-1 for quantifying GHG emissions) can be used to develop and implement climate plans at all scales. Learn how we are currently working with the Regional County Municipality (RCM) of Thérèse-De Blainville and the RCM City of Mirabel to support their climate transition while taking into account the specific needs of each region and their local communities.
Supporting Climate Resilience in the Great Lakes and Ontario
The Ontario Resource Centre for Climate Adaptation (ORCCA) is fostering regional collaboration and responding to the climate adaptation needs of communities in the Great Lakes basin and Ontario in general. Two programs, led by ICLEI Canada and the ORCCA Steering Committee, are currently underway to build staff capacity and mobilize community-wide climate action.
The Staff Capacity Program is helping participants complete climate adaptation projects that would otherwise be unrealized due to insufficient capacity or expertise while the Community Outreach & Engagement Program is helping mobilize community-wide action on climate adaptation. Both programs are designed using a cohort approach where groups work on similar issues while receiving direct technical support from the ORCCA team.
Looking for Support?
We work with wide range of stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and the NGO community across Canada to help build more sustainable, low-carbon, climate-ready communities.
We provide a gateway to solutions to support local climate action through innovative tools (like the PCP tool and the BARC tool), resources, and fruitful partnerships. Explore our services to learn more about our work and how we could support you.
Featured Resources
New! LCF 2023 Highlights Report
Last year, LCF 2023 convened more than 300 delegates from across Canada to explore how to build net-zero, resilient, equitable, and livable communities through the lens of “Intention to Implementation”.
The Livable Cities Forum (LCF) has been exploring how to take action at the local level to make our communities more livable since 2011. The core themes of energy transition, climate adaptation, and meaningful and inclusive engagement are interwoven throughout program sessions from year to year. Each LCF also explores additional themes to support local climate action based on emerging trends and lessons we are continuously learning through our work with communities across Canada. Read the highlights report to learn more.
Doing a risk assessment?
Risk assessments are an integral part of any climate change adaptation effort. A variety of frameworks and methodologies can be used to undertake climate change risk assessments. But which one is right for your project?
ICLEI Canada worked on a project for the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) to author a guidance document on good practices in climate change risk assessment. Read Good Practices in Climate Change Risk Assessment (or the Summary version of the document) to choose the best risk assessment framework based on your objectives, resources, and capacity. Learn about six different established frameworks to choose from (including our own Building Adaptive and Resilient Communities framework) and use the self-questionnaire to choose the right risk assessment method for your project.
LCF 2023 Video Highlight
Many municipal practitioners, local leaders, and urban professionals say the Livable Cities Forum is their favourite conference of the year. Why is that?
Last year, we worked with a videographer to attempt to convey the essence of LCF and why so many people refer to it as their favourite conference of the year. Watch the LCF 2023 video highlights to see what LCF is all about.
From Our Network: State of Canada’s Cities Report
National estimates show climate change is now costing Canada billions of dollars every year. What does this mean for cities and who pays the price?
Canadian municipalities must better understand climate risks, the likelihood of impacts, and the associated costs of climate change to plan investments now that will avoid billions in costs later. Read “Who Pays the Price? Direct Action to Understand the Cost of Climate Change for Canadian Communities” (pages 74-77) in the Canadian Urban Institute’s first annual State of Canada’s Cities report to learn more.
From Our Network: Adaptation Resources for Great Lakes and Ontario Communities
The ORCCA Resource Library is a publicly accessible and searchable collection of adaptation documents, tools, and products specially curated for Great Lakes and Ontario communities.
Find information, tools, documents, and products needed to address climate change challenges and build resilience in the Great Lakes basin and throughout Ontario. Navigate and select from reports, videos, infographics and more on climate adaptation in Ontario, based on your interests, target audience, preferred medium, and other filters.
From Our Global Network: Guide to Biodiversity Financing for Cities and Regions
Taking action on biodiversity and nature conservation is taking action on climate change. But, with so many competing priorities and limited resources, how can local and regional governments fund biodiversity projects?
Like us, our colleagues at the ICLEI World Secretariat have been having climate finance conversations lately. In the Guide to Biodiversity Financing for Cities and Regions, they use in-depth definitions, case studies, and resources to explore innovative and traditional financing instruments that can be used by local and regional governments to support biodiversity conservation, maintenance, restoration, and preservation.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Monthly PCP Community of Practice Calls
PCP Members! Join our monthly community of practice calls to explore climate change planning challenges and opportunities with peers and experts.
The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program is a partnership between ICLEI Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. We host monthly calls on the first Thursday of every month to allow PCP members to ask questions, learn from peers, discuss challenges and solutions, and more.
Coming soon! 2024 Livable Cities Forum
LCF is Canada’s preeminent event for municipal leaders and practitioners who want to create livable cities. We are looking forward to convening leaders, urban professionals, and local practitioners from across Canada for LCF 2024.
The Forum fosters interactive peer learning to explore how to build communities that are prepared for current and future impacts of climate change, while moving toward a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable future. It provides a space for delegates to learn from colleagues and experts, share their knowledge and experiences, and participate in workshops and panels showcasing local innovation related to climate action and resilience.
From Our Network: Scaling Up Municipal Climate Action Survey for Municipal Staff and Elected Officials
We want to hear from municipal staff and elected officials who work to accelerate climate action in small and mid-sized municipalities. Share your personal experience to inform research, services, and supports. The Community Energy Association, Climate Caucus, Clean Air Partnership, ICLEI Canada, and QUEST Canada want to understand your priorities, your experiences, your challenges, and your ideas related to accelerating climate action in your community. Complete the survey by April 15, 2024 to share your experience and for a chance to win one of three $100 Patagonia gift cards.
From Our Network: Climate West Building Climate Resilience Forum
The 2nd annual ClimateWest Forum is set to take place on May 8-9, 2024 in Edmonton and online. The event will bring together a wide range of sectors, communities, knowledges, and perspectives from across the Canadian Prairies. The theme for this year’s free, hybrid event is “Building Climate Resilience: Being prepared. Working together. Creating change.” Sessions will explore how to build climate resilience in an inclusive and collaborative way. We look forward to taking part!
From Our Global Network: ICLEI World Congress
The ICLEI World Congress 2024 is taking place June 18-21, 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil. Connect with local and regional governments from around the world to exchange best practices on how to equitably and sustainably adapt and respond to present and future challenges with an emphasis on rising global risks and changes.
From Our Global Network: Daring Cities 2024
Daring Cities 2024 has officially kicked off! This year’s agenda is packed with dialogues, workshops, and high-level roundtables for urban leaders that are taking on the climate emergency. Events will take place both online and in-person throughout the year. Visit the Daring Cities website to learn more and join.
In Case You Missed It…
Webinar Replay: Getting Resilient Infrastructure Ready for Financing
Watch the replay to learn about the Financing Resilient Infrastructure Project, the resources included in the Getting Ready to Finance Toolkit, how to use these to prepare projects for financing, and listen in on the Q&A session.
Workshop Recording: Municipal Climate Budgeting
Watch this workshop recording to learn about climate budgeting, contemplate how it could advance your community’s climate objectives, and learn about resources that can support municipal climate budgeting.
Canadian Geographic Article on N-ZAP
Here is a great opportunity to learn more about the Net-Zero Action Partnership (N-ZAP). Read the Canadian Geographic’s article about N-ZAP and why this initiative is getting the attention of journalists in mainstream media…
Welcome to the team!
Sheri Young, Project Director, Climate Platform
As Project Director, Sheri will be working on the Climate Platform, an exciting project we look forward to sharing more about in the coming months. Her 25 years of experience in the environmental industry, background in climate and municipal work, and proven leadership capacities will be put to good use as she takes on this leadership role.
Aynsley Klassen, Climate Change Project Manager
Aynsley joined the team as Climate Change Project Manager. In this role, she leads ICLEI Canada’s team of adaptation and resilience professionals in a variety of climate action initiatives. As an experienced leader, facilitator, and project manager, she expertly manages projects, develops partnerships, and supports an active roster of adaptation programs.
Nikita Popli, Climate Change Project Assistant
Nikita supports the Adaptation Team in the role of Climate Change Project Assistant. In this capacity, she helps with facilitation, stakeholder engagement, research, resource development, and communications on a variety of projects. With a diverse background spanning the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, she brings a wealth of experience in climate action, community mobilization, and environmental communications.
Paris Liu, Project Assistant, Climate Platform
As Project Assistant, Paris is applying her civil engineering background to help advance low-carbon, resilient infrastructure projects across Canada as she supports the development of an online Climate Platform for local governments. Paris is currently studying civil engineering with a minor in Economics at McMaster University where she is quite involved in a number of initiatives like working with Hamilton Bike Share Inc to introduce the most affordable student bike pass in Canada!
Ebosetale Hope Isabu, Climate Research Assistant Intern
As a student climate researcher, Ebosetale (or Hope) is examining best international practices to increase the resilience of residential homes to flooding and how these can be applied in Canadian municipalities. Hope is currently completing a Masters of Sustainability Management at the University of Waterloo where her research focuses on net-zero climate action plans in Canadian municipalities with an emphasis on partnerships.
Chris Sim, Climate Research Assistant Intern
As a student climate researcher, Chris provides research support to the Mitigation team on the Building to Net-Zero project to help municipalities develop and adopt tiered high-performance building energy codes. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto and is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University with a specialization in Environmental Planning.
Reach us
ICLEI Canada
401 Richmond St W (Suite 204)
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8