Net-Zero Transformation

GMF supports cleaner, healthier communities

GMF’s Net-Zero Transformation offer helps communities deliver tangible benefits—like cleaner air, efficient infrastructure and a better quality of life—while accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions.

Designed for municipalities of all sizes and their partners, it supports innovative, high-impact projects that fall outside the scope of other GMF funding streams. From planning and feasibility to pilots and full implementation, this offer reduces risk and drives bold climate action. We fund plans, feasibility studies, pilots and capital projects that support outstanding projects by all Canadian municipalities in various areas of innovation.

*Net-zero is defined as eliminating operational and embodied GHG emissions wherever possible and re-absorbing the equivalent of any remaining emissions.

What we fund

Examples of what we fund include, but are not limited to:

Retrofit techniques that significantly reduce costs and shorten payback periods.
Funding mechanisms or incentives to accelerate zero-carbon new builds and retrofits.
Regenerative buildings that contribute net-positive environmental benefits.
Microgrids and battery storage that help meet peak electricity demand and add resilience to local grids.
Integrated modal shift and transportation demand management (TDM) strategies that address potential rebound effects.
Resilient, net-zero, inclusive and complete neighbourhoods.
Net-zero and net-positive water and wastewater systems.
Local circular economy initiatives for apparel textiles or construction / demolition materials that currently go to landfill.
Bio-covers or bio-filters for landfill gas mitigation for small or inactive landfills.
Brownfield initiatives that apply in-situ remediation approaches, employ renewable energy, reuse soil and demolition materials, and restore the site’s ecological features.

Net-Zero Transformation initiatives do not have pre-set environmental targets/thresholds because the projects are unique and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Project scopes can be:

geographical (e.g., a neighbourhood, city or region)
sectoral (e.g., transportation sector)
organizational (e.g., the municipal government)
at an asset level (e.g., related to the life-cycle emissions of a building)
at a component level (e.g., related to a specific material or technology)

Benefits

Develop, test or apply new knowledge or approaches.
Improve performance and address key municipal challenges.
Deliver cleaner air, more resilient infrastructure and a better quality of life for residents.
Reduce GHG emissions in line with Canada’s 2030 and 2050 targets.

What we do not fund

Projects that are eligible under another GMF funding offer.
Projects that do not involve one of the following:
- The development and/or application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology.
- A new or emerging application of an existing technology or practice (e.g., in a new context) in a manner that represents a substantive change to current operating conditions or performance.

Available funding

We support projects at various stages of development through grants and loans. Funding amounts are based on total eligible costs. Further details on eligible costs are provided on individual funding pages.

Plan: Net-Zero Transformation

Conduct integrated planning exercises to support the municipal transition to net-zero

Study: Net-Zero Transformation

Assess new approaches and solutions to bring your community closer to net-zero

Pilot: Net-Zero Transformation

Evaluate innovative GHG reduction solutions in real-world conditions

Capital project: Net-Zero Transformation

Deploy a full scale best-in-class GHG reduction solution

Featured Resources

Our free learning resources build your knowledge in developing sustainable projects and accelerate your community’s transition to a resilient, net-zero future.