What we fund

We fund studies that assess the feasibility of the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs, including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) to significantly reduce GHG emissions associated with your municipal and/or transit fleet in line with Canada's 2030 and 2050 targets. Your study should also assess the potential economic, social and other environmental impacts of the transition to ZEVs.

Your study should include the following elements:

• Assess the entire fleet
  • Your study should include an assessment of the entire municipal and/or transit fleet (i.e., all the vehicles owned by the municipality or transit agency) and may also consider private vehicles that deliver municipal services (e.g., leased vehicles, or contracted services such as waste management).
• Develop a fleet transition plan
  • Your study will include the development of a baseline fleet assessment, documenting baseline fuel consumption, operating cost, and GHG emissions, and a fleet replacement analysis to determine optimal timelines for a ZEV transition based on optimized economic lifecycles for each vehicle category, while considering the current or projected availability of ZEV replacements.
  • It will assess the total cost of ownership for each vehicle category and model potential solutions over a defined period to estimate their environmental (GHG reductions) and financial (capital and operating expenses) impacts relative to the baseline.
  • Charging or fueling infrastructure needs will be identified for each vehicle.
• Identify and model an optimized scenario
  • Based on a review of current fleet utilization rates and use cases, your study will identify and model at least one scenario that reflects feasible options for downsizing and right-sizing (reducing the number of vehicles in your fleet and selecting smaller vehicles sized for the task at hand).
• If you are considering hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, identify and assess a low-carbon supply of hydrogen.
  • Your study will include an assessment of the carbon intensity of the hydrogen source(s) that could be used to supply your vehicles. At least one of those sources should demonstrate a low carbon intensity level for hydrogen production, defined as a threshold of 4 kg CO₂e per kg of hydrogen.
• Include an equity assessment by answering, at minimum, the following questions:
  • Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most from the project, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by the project or decision? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted by the project or decision?
  • What strategies can be used to address barriers or mitigate negative impacts?
  • What data sources, reports, or mapping resources can help illuminate equity issues in your local context?

What your project needs to achieve

All projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

Further information regarding the offer can be found in the Municipal Fleet Electrification application guide

Resilience

Projects must meet minimum requirements related to climate resilience:

• Capital projects that include new infrastructure assets must be built outside the current 100-year floodplain of the most recent floodplain map, unless evidence can be provided of protection to safeguard the asset.
• Projects with new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million must conduct a Climate Risk Assessment (i.e., Infrastructure Canada Climate lens, ISO 14091, PIEVC High Level Screening Guide or equivalent) and address risks identified. A Climate Risk Assessment must be included in study workplans (where relevant) and is submitted as part of the pre-application for relevant capital projects.

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences, and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination, or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding, and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• sustainable materials management
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders.

What we fund

We provide combined loan and grant funding to support municipalities in constructing innovative infrastructure that has the potential to result in a significant contribution to net-zero. GMF capital projects are usually composed of physical assets. These are defined by following generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

To be eligible, you must have completed an assessment of the GHG reduction potential of your project using verifiable evaluation processes.

What your project needs to achieve

Only projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

There are no pre-set environmental targets or thresholds for this funding offer.

Further information regarding the offer can be found in the Net-Zero Transformation application guide 

Innovation

To be eligible, your project must be considered innovative. It must target a significant improvement in performance over best practice through:

• The development and/or application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology; or,
• 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.

Significant GHG reduction potential 

To be eligible for funding, your project must have the potential to generate or enable significant reductions in GHG emissions in the long-term either:

• Directly from project implementation (e.g., through increased energy efficiency and energy recovery); or,
• Indirectly by creating the required enabling conditions (e.g., through net-zero design guidelines).

Direct GHG reductions must be quantifiable, while indirect reductions must be supported by a strong rationale and clear assumptions for how the project unlocks GHG reductions in the short, medium and/or long term. 

GMF will assess whether your project has the potential to lead to significant GHG reductions. This assessment will be based on:

• The scale of the project’s GHG reductions (direct or indirect); and,
• The project’s replication potential.

A project is considered to have a high potential for replication when:

• It has clear performance benefits, which can be demonstrated through commonly understood metrics and measures
• The solution addresses a key challenge for many municipalities (need-to-have, not nice-to-have).
• There are strong drivers for the adoption of solution (e.g., a strong financial business case due to cost savings over status quo or financial returns).

Resilience

Projects must meet minimum requirements related to climate resilience:

• All pilot and capital projects that include new infrastructure assets must be built outside the current 100-year floodplain of the most recent floodplain map, unless evidence can be provided of protection to safeguard the asset.
• Projects with new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million must conduct a Climate Risk Assessment (i.e., Infrastructure Canada Climate lens, ISO 14091, PIEVC High Level Screening Guide or equivalent) and address risks identified. A Climate Risk Assessment must be included in study workplans (where relevant) and is submitted as part of the pre-application for relevant pilot and capital projects.   

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences, and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination, or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding, and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• potable water conservation
• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• other environmental benefits
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders

What we fund

We fund pilot projects that evaluate innovative GHG reduction solutions in real-world conditions. To be eligible, your pilot must lead to quantifiable GHG reductions. Using verifiable evaluation processes, you will need to assess the GHG benefits that were achieved as part of your pilot project.

Pilot projects are limited in scope, duration and resource commitment. They are small-scale, preliminary trials of new solutions or approaches that are used to assess the viability, effectiveness, and scalability of those solutions or approaches and determine their potential impacts and benefits. Pilot projects assess how well a proposed concept works in practice and helps identify any potential challenges or issues that might arise during full-scale implementation.

Your pilot project can involve:

• Comparing several options or assessing one option.
• Testing a new material, technique, or process within a larger project.
• Applying novel approaches that have yet to be tested in Canada or within a particular market segment (e.g., in northern communities).

When applying for funding, you will be asked to:

• Explain why the solution or approach needs to be tested prior to full-scale implementation.
• Clearly identify the hypotheses or assumptions that you will be testing.
• Outline how you will collect data and analyze results to assess your pilot’s success and effectiveness.
• Define how you will decide whether or not to proceed with full-scale implementation, based on the pilot’s outcomes.
• Articulate what a full-scale implementation would look like.
• Explain how the lessons learned from this pilot will be applied to future projects and shared with others.

What your project needs to achieve

All projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

There are no pre-set environmental targets or thresholds for this funding offer.

Further details and requirements regarding the offer are found in the Net-Zero Transformation application guide

Innovation

To be eligible, your project must be considered innovative. It must target a significant improvement in performance over best practice through:

• The development and/or application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology; or,
• 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.

Significant GHG reduction potential 

To be eligible for funding, your project must have the potential to generate or enable significant reductions in GHG emissions in the long-term either:

• Directly from project implementation (e.g., through increased energy efficiency and energy recovery); or,
• Indirectly by creating the required enabling conditions (e.g., through net-zero design guidelines).

Direct GHG reductions must be quantifiable, while indirect reductions must be supported by a strong rationale and clear assumptions for how the project unlocks GHG reductions in the short, medium and/or long term. 

GMF will assess whether your project has the potential to lead to significant GHG reductions. This assessment will be based on:

• The scale of the project’s GHG reductions (direct or indirect); and,
• The project’s replication potential.

A project is considered to have a high potential for replication when:

• It has clear performance benefits, which can be demonstrated through commonly understood metrics and measures.
• The solution addresses a key challenge for many municipalities (need-to-have, not nice-to-have).
• There are strong drivers for the adoption of solution (e.g., a strong financial business case due to cost savings over status quo or financial returns).

Resilience

Projects must meet minimum requirements related to climate resilience:

• All pilot and capital projects that include new infrastructure assets must be built outside the current 100-year floodplain of the most recent floodplain map, unless evidence can be provided of protection to safeguard the asset.
• Projects with new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million must conduct a Climate Risk Assessment (i.e., Infrastructure Canada Climate lens, ISO 14091, PIEVC High Level Screening Guide or equivalent) and address risks identified. A Climate Risk Assessment must be included in study workplans (where relevant) and is submitted as part of the pre-application for relevant pilot and capital projects.   

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences, and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination, or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding, and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• potable water conservation
• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• other environmental benefits
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders.

What we fund

We fund feasibility studies that assess in detail new approaches and solutions to bring your community closer to net-zero. Your feasibility study should explore solutions with significant GHG reduction benefits.

Your study should aim to:

• Determine the practicality and viability of a potential solution;
• Assess the potential impacts and benefits;
• Mitigate risks;
• Identify implementation requirements; and,
• Recommend a specific course of action.

Your study will need to consider, at minimum, the following questions:

• What are the GHG impacts of the solution or approach being studied?
• Climate risk assessment (required for projects studying new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million; optional for other projects
• An equity assessment that answers, at minimum, the following questions:
  • Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most from the project, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by the project or decision? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted by the project or decision?
  • What strategies can be used to address barriers or mitigate negative impacts?
  • What data sources, reports, or mapping resources can help illuminate equity issues in your local context?

Eligible activities undertaken as part of your study include:

• An assessment of the target market or users.
• An evaluation of technical requirements.
• A financial analysis (e.g., cost estimates, revenue projections, return on investment (ROI), and funding options).
• An examination of the legal and regulatory context and implications.
• An evaluation of the organization’s ability to deliver the solution.
• An assessment of environmental and social impacts and benefits.
• Detailed project planning.
• Stakeholder engagement.

Ultimately, your study should equip you with the information you need to undertake a pilot project or implement a capital project.

What your project needs to achieve

Only projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

To be eligible for this offer, your study should estimate the anticipated GHG reduction potential of the recommended actions and alternatives in relation to the most likely scenario in the absence of these actions (i.e., baseline) following GHG quantification best practice.

There are no pre-set environmental targets or thresholds for this funding offer.

Further details and requirements regarding the offer are found in the Net-Zero Transformation application guide

Innovation

To be eligible, your project must be considered innovative. It must target a significant improvement in performance over best practice through:

• The development and/or application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology; or,
• 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.

Significant GHG reduction potential 

To be eligible for funding, your project must have the potential to generate or enable significant reductions in GHG emissions in the long-term either:

• Directly from project implementation (e.g., through increased energy efficiency and energy recovery); or,
• Indirectly by creating the required enabling conditions (e.g., through net-zero design guidelines).

Direct GHG reductions must be quantifiable, while indirect reductions must be supported by a strong rationale and clear assumptions for how the project unlocks GHG reductions in the short, medium and/or long term. 

GMF will assess whether your project has the potential to lead to significant GHG reductions. This assessment will be based on:

• The scale of the project’s GHG reductions (direct or indirect); and,
• The project’s replication potential.

A project is considered to have a high potential for replication when:

• It has clear performance benefits, which can be demonstrated through commonly understood metrics and measures.
• The solution addresses a key challenge for many municipalities (need-to-have, not nice-to-have).
• There are strong drivers for the adoption of solution (e.g., a strong financial business case due to cost savings over status quo or financial returns).

Resilience

Projects must meet minimum requirements related to climate resilience:

• All capital projects that include new infrastructure assets must be built outside the current 100-year floodplain of the most recent floodplain map, unless evidence can be provided of protection to safeguard the asset.
• Projects with new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million must conduct a Climate Risk Assessment (i.e., Infrastructure Canada Climate lens, ISO 14091, PIEVC High Level Screening Guide or equivalent) and address risks identified. A Climate Risk Assessment must be included in study workplans (where relevant) and is submitted as part of the pre-application for relevant pilot and capital projects. 

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences, and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination, or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding, and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• potable water conservation
• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• other environmental benefits
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders.

What we fund

Net-Zero Transformation plans set a high standard for municipal planning exercises—they set the stage for a net-zero future, employ innovative approaches (e.g., for stakeholder engagement or data analysis), translate into action (e.g., new bylaws) and lead to tangible results (e.g., a net-zero neighbourhood).  

To be eligible, your proposed plan must:

• Demonstrate a high-level of innovation (e.g., in terms of scope or partnerships).
• Have the potential to contribute to significant long-term greenhouse gas reductions.
• Use an integrated planning approach (i.e., a collaborative process that integrates the work of various disciplines working alongside each other, developing a plan that achieves multi-disciplinary objectives).
• Include an operationalization strategy that identifies plan implementation requirements (e.g., projected capital and operational funding needs, alternative engineering standards).

What your project needs to achieve

Only projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

There are no pre-set environmental targets or thresholds for this funding offer.

Further details and requirements regarding the offer are found in the Net-Zero Transformation application guide

Innovation

To be eligible, your project must be considered innovative. It must target a significant improvement in performance over best practice through:

• The development and/or application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology; or,
• 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.

Significant GHG reduction potential 

To be eligible for funding, your project must have the potential to generate or enable significant reductions in GHG emissions in the long-term either:

• Directly from project implementation (e.g., through increased energy efficiency and energy recovery); or,
• Indirectly by creating the required enabling conditions (e.g., through net-zero design guidelines).

Direct GHG reductions must be quantifiable, while indirect reductions must be supported by a strong rationale and clear assumptions for how the project unlocks GHG reductions in the short, medium and/or long term. 

GMF will assess whether your project has the potential to lead to significant GHG reductions. This assessment will be based on:

• The scale of the project’s GHG reductions (direct or indirect); and,
• The project’s replication potential.

A project is considered to have a high potential for replication when:

• It has clear performance benefits, which can be demonstrated through commonly understood metrics and measures.
• The solution addresses a key challenge for many municipalities (need-to-have, not nice-to-have).
• There are strong drivers for the adoption of solution (e.g., a strong financial business case due to cost savings over status quo or financial returns).

Resilience

Projects must meet minimum requirements related to climate resilience:

• All capital projects that include new infrastructure assets must be built outside the current 100-year floodplain of the most recent floodplain map, unless evidence can be provided of protection to safeguard the asset.
• Projects with new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million must conduct a Climate Risk Assessment (i.e., Infrastructure Canada Climate lens, ISO 14091, PIEVC High Level Screening Guide or equivalent) and address risks identified. A Climate Risk Assessment must be included in study workplans (where relevant) and is submitted as part of the pre-application for relevant pilot and capital projects. 

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• potable water conservation
• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• other environmental benefits
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders

What we fund

We offer combined loan and grant funding to support municipalities and their partners in constructing, commissioning and rapidly deploying a successful implementation of a low-carbon community energy system.

Your project should deploy a system that mitigates GHG emissions, creates social benefits, and provides solid financial payback within a targeted timeframe of three years after application approval and should be integrated into your municipality’s asset management register/plan or municipal budget.

What your project needs to achieve

All projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

This project must build on a completed feasibility study that has assessed the technical and financial feasibility of the proposed project, as well as the environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Eligible applicants must also provide records of community support for the project including but not limited to records of approval from local government council, and initiation of the impact assessment process, where applicable.

Further information regarding the offer, including minimum requirements for feasibility studies, can be found in the Community Energy Systems application guide

Requirements for all Community Energy Systems projects

Capital projects must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of two buildings are required for district energy projects, and renewable electricity systems should be able to power multiple systems and buildings.
• For thermal energy projects: Your initiative must reduce GHG emissions associated with fossil fuel or grid electricity use by at least 40 percent compared to current performance.  You must be able to achieve this target within three years of implementation.

Resilience

Projects must meet minimum requirements related to climate resilience:

• Capital projects that include new infrastructure assets must be built outside the current 100-year floodplain of the most recent floodplain map, unless evidence can be provided of protection to safeguard the asset.
• Projects with new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million must conduct a Climate Risk Assessment (i.e., Infrastructure Canada Climate lens, ISO 14091, PIEVC High Level Screening Guide or equivalent) and address risks identified. A Climate Risk Assessment must be included in study workplans (where relevant) and is submitted as part of the pre-application for relevant capital projects.

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences, and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination, or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding, and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders.

What we fund

We fund feasibility studies that outline the design of a proposed community energy system. This funding helps Canadian cities evaluate local sources of renewable energy that will ultimately power multiple systems and buildings resulting in a net GHG emission reduction.

Your feasibility study should build on your business case assessing low-carbon energy systems viable for a given site and the capacity to implement each system. A business case and feasibility study may be undertaken together as one project, eligible for a grant of up to a maximum of $200,000 for the project as a whole.

Your study should aim to:

• Confirm the practicality and viability of constructing and operating the proposed energy system.
• Incorporate feedback from stakeholder engagement and public consultation.
• Complete system design and quantify expected costs and revenue streams.
• Quantify the environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits.
• Confirm partnerships.
• Detail proposed business model, including project ownership, operations, and financing.
• Identify risks and mitigation options (including climate risk assessment).
• A site condition assessment.

Your study will need to include, at minimum, the following:

• The GHG impacts of the solution or approach being studied.
• A confirmation of the proposed operational and financial model planned for the project.
• Climate risk assessment (required for projects studying new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million; optional for other projects).
• An equity assessment that answers, at minimum, the following questions:  
  • Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most from the project, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by the project or decision? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted by the project or decision?
  • What strategies can be used to address barriers or mitigate negative impacts?
  • What data sources, reports, or mapping resources can help illuminate equity issues in your local context?

Eligible activities undertaken as part of your study include:

• Detailed project design.
• Verification of availability of local energy sources.
• Verification of end users for energy and other products created by the proposed system.
• Detailed financial analysis (e.g., cost estimates, revenue projections, return on investment (ROI), and funding options).
• Developing terms and conditions for going to tender for the capital project.
• Stakeholder engagement and public consultation.
• Regulatory approval processes.
• Impact assessment process.
• Climate risk assessment.

Ultimately, your study should equip you with the information you need to implement a capital project.

What your project needs to achieve

All projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

It is strongly recommended that you complete a business case ahead of your feasibility study.

A business case and feasibility study may be undertaken together as one project, eligible for a grant of up to a maximum of $200,000 for the project as a whole.

Further information regarding the offer can be found in the Community Energy Systems application guide

Requirements for all Community Energy Systems projects

The following must be accounted for in the applicant’s business case, and fulfilled in their feasibility study:

• A minimum of two buildings are required for district energy projects, and renewable electricity systems should be able to power multiple systems and buildings.
• For thermal energy projects: Your initiative must reduce GHG emissions associated with fossil fuel or grid electricity use by at least 40 percent compared to current performance.  You must be able to achieve this target within three years of implementation.  

Resilience

Projects must meet minimum requirements related to climate resilience:

• Capital projects that include new infrastructure assets must be built outside the current 100-year floodplain of the most recent floodplain map, unless evidence can be provided of protection to safeguard the asset.
• Projects with new infrastructure assets valued over $2 million must conduct a Climate Risk Assessment (i.e., Infrastructure Canada Climate lens, ISO 14091, PIEVC High Level Screening Guide or equivalent) and address risks identified. A Climate Risk Assessment must be included in study workplans (where relevant) and is submitted as part of the pre-application for relevant capital projects.

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences, and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination, or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding, and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders.

What we fund

We fund business cases that result in a technical exploration of low-carbon energy systems viable for a given site and the capacity to implement each system. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities to adopt a streamlined approach to assess and deploy a variety of low-carbon energy systems, reducing local GHG emissions in line with a net-zero future.

Your business case should prepare you for a feasibility study. A business case and feasibility study may be undertaken together as one project, eligible for a grant of up to a maximum of $200,000 for the project as a whole.

Business cases are expected to identify a preferred community energy option(s) at a neighborhood scale, and should aim to:

• Determine the practicality and viability of a preferred energy system.
• Assess the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits.
• Quantify expected costs and potential revenue streams.
• Identify partnership opportunities.
• Define proposed business model, including recommendations for project ownership, operations, and financing.
• Identify risks and mitigation options.

Your business case will need to consider, at minimum, the following: 

• What are the GHG impacts of the solution or approach being studied? 
• What is the economic benefit to the municipality?
• The stakeholders involved in the options considered (e.g., utilities, authority granting bodies, property holders, etc.).
• Considerations for successful implementation, including right of way, zoning and access.
• An equity assessment that answers, at minimum, the following questions:
  • Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most from the project, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by the project or decision? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted by the project or decision?
  • What strategies can be used to address barriers or mitigate negative impacts?
  • What data sources, reports, or mapping resources can help illuminate equity issues in your local context?

Eligible activities that may be undertaken as part of your business case include:

• A scan and evaluation of available energy sources.
• A scan and evaluation of available local energy providers.
• An assessment of the market for energy and other products created by the proposed system.
• An evaluation of available sites and/or site viability for an energy system.
• A financial analysis (e.g., cost estimates, revenue projections, return on investment (ROI), and funding options).
• An examination of the legal and regulatory context and implications for the project.
• An evaluation of the organization’s ability to deliver the solution.
• An assessment of partnership opportunities and business model options.
• An assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits.
• Stakeholder engagement.

What your project needs to achieve

All projects that meet the criteria on this page are eligible. Please note that we consider several factors in making a funding decision. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

Further information regarding the offer can be found in the Community Energy Systems application guide

Requirements for all Community Energy Systems projects

The following must be accounted for in the applicant’s business case, and fulfilled in their feasibility study:

• A minimum of two buildings are required for district energy projects, and renewable electricity systems should be able to power multiple systems and buildings.
• For thermal energy projects: Your initiative must reduce GHG emissions associated with fossil fuel or grid electricity use by at least 40 percent compared to current performance.  You must be able to achieve this target within three years of implementation.

Equity considerations

GMF recognizes that many urgent social issues are interrelated, and that climate action and sustainability initiatives need to be designed to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens, across all segments of a community and across generations. Projects will be assessed on their potential to result in improved socio-economic outcomes and a more equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among the community, for present and future generations. While projects can be eligible without incorporating these considerations, preference is given to projects that:

• Integrate principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Apply inclusive community engagement practices.
• Implement social procurement.
• Generate significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased accessibility, improved outdoor spaces, and inclusive employment and apprenticeship.

As you develop your project approach, consider the following questions:

1. How can you design an engagement approach that would enable you to consider the diverse needs, experiences, and voices of all stakeholders and rights holders in this project?
2. Which equity-deserving groups might benefit the most, and/or be burdened, directly or indirectly, by this project? How are these groups positively or negatively impacted?
3. Are there opportunities to address or mitigate negative impacts?
4. Are there opportunities to rectify existing or potential biases, discrimination, or exclusionary practices in your project planning, design, funding, and implementation?
5. How can you maximize the socio-economic benefits that your project generates?
6. How can you leverage your procurement practices to generate more positive social, economic and environmental outcomes within your community and region?

Multi-solving

GMF seeks to fund the very best examples of municipal initiatives that achieve a multitude of benefits for the environment, communities and local economies. Higher application evaluation scores are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• socio-economic benefits 
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders