The Pembina Institute's Sustainable Communities Group is working in Canadian communities and internationally to help municipalities, Aboriginal communities, policy makers and partners in developing countries identify their sustainability goals and take practical steps to achieve these objectives.
New Release: Canada's Coolest Cities
"What are Canada's large cities doing to encourage low-carbon choices for personal transportation?" A new report by the Pembina Institute, Canada's Coolest Cities, set out to answer this question through case studies of Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.
The study found that Canada's six largest urban areas are making efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, but must do more to promote green urban design and low-carbon transportation choices.
"While cities have set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, they need to step up their actions on personal transportation to meet these goals," said report co-author Alison Bailie. "Each city has taken positive steps, but they're struggling to keep pace with urban sprawl."
To learn more visit the Coolest Cities web page.
What We're Doing
Energy and GHG Planning
The Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments are taking more interest in community energy planning — planning holistically, instead of just at the building or power plant scale. This includes consideration of local energy production, efficient community design and district energy systems. [More]
Renewable Energy Assessments
Renewable energy sources such as wind, small hydro and solar are accessible options that can provide communities with clean, reliable and affordable energy. Renewable energy assessments, undertaken as part of our Community Energy Planning (CEP) process, empower communities to identify viable renewable energy options and make informed decisions about delivering energy services in their community. [More]
Energy Policy and Program Design
The Pembina Institute is identifying best practices and effective policies that can help maximize energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy from the municipal to the federal level. As a member of the Canadian Renewable Energy Alliance (CanREA), the Pembina Institute is advocating for the adoption of a National Renewable Energy Strategy for Canada. Implementing such a strategy will contribute to job creation, the development of a sustainable economy and reduced environmental impacts — including the emission of greenhouse gas pollutants. [More]
A Glimpse into Sustainable Communities
Nearly 200 local governments in British Columbia have signed the province's Climate Action Charter, pledging to become carbon neutral by 2012. Governments that sign the charter are eligible to receive an annual 100% carbon tax rebate. The Pembina Institute designed the Cool Tool to help British Columbia municipalities become carbon neutral by 2012 and claim their annual carbon tax rebates. The Cool Tool can help municipalities save money by completing the greenhouse gas inventory and action plan needed to claim the carbon tax rebate; by eliminating the need for costly consultants; and by reducing energy bills. For more information about the Cool Tool, please read the project overview or contact Josha MacNab.
The West Moberly First Nations in British Columbia has completed a Community Energy Plan, participated in the Community Action on Energy and Emissions program, and was awarded the honour of "Solar Community" by SolarBC. To learn more, visit Pembina's British Columbia website or read the fact sheet, "West Moberly First Nations: Walking the Talk."
The City of Dawson Creek has implemented a Green Municipal Vehicle Purchasing Policy that uses a customized decision- making tool designed in part by the Pembina Institute. It allows the municipality to consider efficiency, emissions, operating cost and initial capital cost when adding new vehicles to their fleet. [More]
The Gitga'at First Nation is replacing the diesel generators in Hartley Bay, B.C., with a small hydro project that will provide clean, lower cost energy to its community. Some remote communities that rely on diesel generators pay four times more for electricity than do grid- connected communities. [More]
Over 1.6 billion people around the world lack access to electricity and modern energy services. Innovative financing such as the Clean Development Mechanism can help communities in developing countries overcome this energy gap, creating new economic opportunities and access to services that improve quality of life. [More]
Local improvement charges (LICs) can provide financing to improve the energy efficiency of communities. Adopting policies and programs that support sustainable initiatives are a smart way to help communities achieve their sustainability objectives. [More]
