Capital project: GHG reduction pathway retrofit

Make significant reductions in energy-use and GHG emissions by retrofitting community buildings over time. This funding enables the implementation of longer-term, multi-measure retrofit capital projects that contribute to a GHG reduction pathway.

What is a GHG reduction pathway?

A sequence of GHG reduction measures that allow local recreational and cultural facilities to achieve 50% GHG reductions within 10 years and 80% GHG reductions within the next 20 years. GHG reduction pathway capital projects are conducted in phases towards near-net zero, supported by an ongoing strategy to ensure existing equipment and systems operate optimally. An example of the pathway could include:

• Phase 1: Improvements are made to a community building envelope that also address critical building upgrades (e.g., insulation, energy efficient windows, etc.) in year 1
• Phase 2: Focus on high rate-of-return GHG reduction measures in years 5 – 6
• Phase 3: HVAC system is replaced at end-of-life in year 10
• Phase 4: Solar PV is added to the roof in year 15

This is just one example of a GHG reduction pathway. Each pathway will reflect unique objectives, constraints and preferred measures. Funding applications must consist of at least one phase in support of a GHG reduction pathway. Funding recipients may then re-apply in the future for further GHG reduction pathway retrofit capital project funding for subsequent phases subject to funding availability.

Eligible buildings

To be eligible for this grant, projects must include at least one community building that is owned by a municipality or not-for-profit organization.

A community building is an enclosed public place or an enclosed workplace that is:

• owned by a municipal government or not-for-profit;
• primarily used for the purposes of providing athletic, recreational, culture and community programs or services to the local community;
• widely accessible to everyone offering services designed to enhance the health and well-being, skills development, and economic development of individuals and communities.

Community buildings include:

• indoor ice rinks, indoor sports arenas, indoor swimming pools,
• community and recreational centres (e.g., community centres, clubhouses, seniors’ centres and clubs, recreation centres, gyms, halls, and curling rinks),
• arts and culture facilities (cultural facilities, performing arts facilities, art galleries, and auditoriums),
• libraries, and
• multi-purpose buildings which include one or more of the above community functions as well as other services/administrative functions.

For full project scope and eligibility, please read our application guide.

Prerequisites

Capital projects must be supported by a GHG reduction pathway feasibility study or an equivalent feasibility study. Capital projects must consist of GHG reduction measures sequenced in alignment with the GHG reduction pathway. Read our application guide for full details.

Notes

There is no limit on GHG reduction pathway projects supported per municipality provided they are all part of the same GHG reduction pathway. Only one type of capital project, GHG reduction pathway or GHG reduction impact, is eligible per municipality regardless of whether the building or buildings are owned by the municipality or a not-for-profit organization. 

Funding is subject to availability. We reserve the right to make changes to eligibility criteria and the types of projects funded through this offer.

Learn how your municipality can use a pathway approach to achieve maximum GHG reductions (near net zero) over time through CBR’s GHG Reduction Pathway educational video. Watch the video here.

How to Apply