What we fund

We offer combined loan and grant funding to support new building construction projects for sustainable municipally owned buildings. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities of all sizes undertake sustainability projects that reduce emissions, accelerate energy savings and keep energy dollars in the community.

New constructions of municipal buildings should meet best practice energy targets defined in this offer and achieve zero operational GHGs, with the exception of emergency back-up energy (grid electricity emissions are excluded).

Projects are also encouraged to incorporate additional environmental benefits (i.e., potable water conservation, sustainable materials management, biodiversity considerations).

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 should 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.

Further information regarding the offer can be found in the Sustainable Municipal Buildings application guide.

New information below. Please review before submitting a funding application.

 Best practice energy targets: EUI and TEDI requirements

For the new construction of sustainable municipal buildings, applicants should strive to meet best practice energy targets. These proposed targets are based on: 

• Energy Use Intensity (EUI): Performance requirement for building energy consumed per year, per unit floor area. Normally measured in kWh/m2/y.
• Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI): Performance requirement for building heating demand per year, per unit floor area. Normally measured in kWh/m2/y.

Targets are to be established based on climate zone and building typology. 

Consult our short guide for more information on how to calculate EUI and TEDI targets for new buildings based on building typology, including key definitions and examples.

 

Typology 1: Office and office-like buildings including libraries and town halls 

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets 

EUI targets are established for office and office-like building types by climate zone as shown in the table below. 

Climate zone	EUI target (kWh/m2/y)
4	100
5	100
6	100
7 & 8	.0078 x HDD18 + 78

Table 1: EUI targets for office and office-like buildings by climate zone.

 

Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) targets 

TEDI targets are established for office and office-like building types by climate zone as shown in the table below.

Climate zone	TEDI target (kWh/m2/yr)
4	30
5	32
6	34
7	36
8	40

Table 2: TEDI targets for office and office-like buildings by climate zone.

Contact us if you need assistance determining your climate zone.

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below.

 

Typology 2: Non-office buildings such as indoor ice rinks, pools, fitness centres, indoor soccer fields and public works buildings 

The EUI and TEDI targets must be calculated by your energy modeling consultant as described below. 

Your proposed building must be modeled in accordance with the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020. In addition, an NECB 2020 baseline version of your building must be modeled. Your NECB 2020 proposed building must meet the EUI and TEDI requirements as follows: 

• EUI requirement: Your proposed building’s EUI must be 25% lower than your NECB 2020 baseline energy model. 
• TEDI requirement: Your proposed building’s TEDI must be equal to or better than the NECB 2020 baseline building TEDI. 

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below. 

 

Typology 3: A mix of typologies 1 and 2 

• If 75% or more of your building’s floor area is typology 1, treat the entire building as typology 1, not typology 3. 
• If 75% or more of your building’s floor area is typology 2, treat the entire building as typology 2, not typology 3. 
• If your building contains a mix of typologies 1 and 2, where neither exceeds 75% floor area, a weighted-average EUI and TEDI must be calculated. Consult our TEDI and EUI guidance document tipsheet for more information (coming soon) or contact us. 

 

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below. 

 

Additional mandatory requirements: 

1. Renewable energy, such as from solar panels, does not count towards the energy targets. When calculating EUI, do not deduct renewable energy production from the building’s energy use. 
2. Thermal bridging must be taken into account in the EUI and TEDI targets. 
3. If your building contains a parkade, the parkade energy use must be included in the EUI and TEDI targets, however the parkade floor area must be excluded from the EUI and TEDI calculations. 
4. The reference (baseline) and proposed energy models must be modeled in accordance with NECB 2020. Other versions of NECB (such as NECB 2015, NECB 2017) are not acceptable. 
5. The building must achieve zero operational GHGs (no natural gas or other fossil fuel combustion), with the exception of emergency back-up systems (grid electricity emissions are excluded). 

Consult our short guide for more information on how to calculate EUI and TEDI targets for new buildings based on building typology, including key definitions and examples.

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:

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

What we fund

We fund feasibility studies that assess in detail the approaches needed to retrofit existing municipal buildings for an impactful multi-year pathway toward zero-operational GHGs. This offer is applicable to any existing municipal building.

Your study should identify a sequence of retrofit measures to reduce emissions from your municipal building by at least 50 percent within 10 years and achieve best practice energy targets within 20 years. Studies should consider your unique objectives and constraints (eg., building use, capital budgets, equipment renewal cycles, etc.) and explore multiple optimization scenarios.

Your study should also demonstrate and validate the project’s environmental, social and economic benefits, in line with GMF’s thresholds for capital projects.

The study should also account for the following:

• Meeting best practice energy targets, respective of climate zone, in accordance with best practice.
• If fossil fuels are in use, complete a partial fuel switch in 10 years, targeting a 50 percent GHG reduction, and an alignment with new build standards by 20 years.
• Reduction of indoor potable water consumption by 20 percent or greater.
• 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?
• All elements identified in the GHG reduction pathway retrofit feasibility study guidance document.

A successful retrofit pathway will allow you to achieve net-zero GHGs and a high-efficiency building. GHG emissions associated with electrical grids are not required to be offset. You are strongly encouraged to consider a portfolio of municipal buildings and consider parallel interventions in those buildings.  

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 Sustainable Municipal Buildings application guide.

 Best practice energy targets: EUI and TEDI requirements 

For the retrofit of municipal buildings, applicants should strive to meet best practice energy targets over a 20 year timeline, through a series of retrofit pathway steps. These proposed targets are based on: 

• Energy Use Intensity (EUI): Performance requirement for building energy consumed per year, per unit floor area. Normally measured in kWh/m2/y.
• Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI): Performance requirement for building heating demand per year, per unit floor area. Normally measured in kWh/m2/y.

Targets are to be established based on climate zone and building typology. 

Typology 1: Office and office-like buildings including libraries and town halls 

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets 

EUI targets are established for office and office-like building types by climate zone as shown in the table below. 

Climate zone	EUI target (kWh/m2/y)
4	100
5	100
6	100
7 & 8	.0078 x HDD18 + 78

Table 1: EUI targets for office and office-like buildings by climate zone.

Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) targets 

TEDI targets are established for office and office-like building types by climate zone as shown in the table below.

Climate zone	TEDI target (kWh/m2/yr)
4	30
5	32
6	34
7	36
8	40

Table 2: TEDI targets for office and office-like buildings by climate zone.

Contact us if you need assistance determining your climate zone.

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below.

Typology 2: Non-office buildings such as indoor ice rinks, pools, fitness centres, indoor soccer fields and public works buildings 

The EUI and TEDI targets must be calculated by your energy modeling consultant as described below. 

Your proposed building must be modeled in accordance with the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020. In addition, an NECB 2020 baseline version of your building must be modeled. Your NECB 2020 proposed building must meet the EUI and TEDI requirements as follows: 

• EUI requirement: Your proposed building’s EUI must be 25% lower than your NECB 2020 baseline energy model. 
• TEDI requirement: Your proposed building’s TEDI must be equal to or better than the NECB 2020 baseline building TEDI. 

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below. 

Typology 3: A mix of typologies 1 and 2 

• If 75% or more of your building’s floor area is typology 1, treat the entire building as typology 1, not typology 3. 
• If 75% or more of your building’s floor area is typology 2, treat the entire building as typology 2, not typology 3. 
• If your building contains a mix of typologies 1 and 2, where neither exceeds 75% floor area, a weighted-average EUI and TEDI must be calculated. Consult our TEDI and EUI guidance document tipsheet for more information (coming soon) or contact us. 

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below. 

Additional mandatory requirements: 

1. Renewable energy, such as from solar panels, does not count towards the energy targets. When calculating EUI, do not deduct renewable energy production from the building’s energy use. 
2. Thermal bridging must be taken into account in the EUI and TEDI targets. 
3. If your building contains a parkade, the parkade energy use must be included in the EUI and TEDI targets, however the parkade floor area must be excluded from the EUI and TEDI calculations. 
4. The reference (baseline) and proposed energy models must be modeled in accordance with NECB 2020. Other versions of NECB (such as NECB 2015, NECB 2017) are not acceptable. 
5. The building must achieve zero operational GHGs (no natural gas or other fossil fuel combustion), with the exception of emergency back-up systems (grid electricity emissions are excluded). 

Retrofit pathways

Your study must identify at least one retrofit pathway. It is encouraged that the pathway be selected through a comparison of at least two retrofit pathway scenarios:

• A minimum performance scenario.
• A more aggressive decarbonization scenario, which looks at deep energy retrofits to deliver a similar life cycle cost result over the study period as the “minimum performance” scenario but maximizes cumulative GHG reductions over the same period.

The identified pathway may choose a set of harmonized measures between a minimum performance and aggressive scenario.

What is a retrofit pathway?

A sequence of GHG reduction measures that allow municipal buildings to achieve significant emissions reduction in phases over time.

Example of a pathway to retrofit that strategizes the replacement of equipment when it reaches the end of its useful life:
Phase 1 – Introductory energy conservation   Timeline: 0-10 years  Passive strategies, minor envelope improvements, and energy demand conservation measures.
Phase 2 - Partial fuel-switch to achieve 50% reduction in GHGs from baseline Timeline: No longer than 10 years   Capital equipment replacement and fuel-switching while maintaining backup fossil-fuel systems. Possible addition of renewable energy.
Phase 3 - Deep energy retrofit and full fuel-switch   Timeline: 10-20 years Complete conversion to non-fossil fuel energy sources and alignment with EUI and TEDI targets.

For additional information please see GHG reduction pathway retrofit feasibility study guidance document. 

Optional: Embodied carbon analysis

It is recommended (not required) for applicants to consider embodied carbon in their project. An embodied carbon analysis can be included within the scope of the feasibility study and should conduct a whole building cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment.

If you choose to conduct this analysis, it is recommended to develop a baseline for your building and materials and compare the results to a proposed model. Upon completion of the study, you should be able to confidently measure your project’s embodied carbon in GHG emissions.

It is highly recommended that an appropriate professional conduct this work, not limited to a professional engineer or architect.

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
• socio-economic benefits
• meaningful engagement and collaboration with rights holders and stakeholders

What we fund

We fund feasibility studies that assess in detail the approaches needed to implement a new construction of an energy efficient community or municipal building. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities of all sizes undertake sustainability projects that reduce emissions, accelerate energy savings and keep energy dollars in the community.

Your feasibility study should demonstrate and validate the project’s environmental, social and economic benefits, in line with GMF’s thresholds for capital projects.

The study must also account for the following:

• Meeting best practice energy targets, respective of climate zone.
• Zero operational GHGs (emergency back-up energy excepted, grid electricity emissions excluded).
• Reduction of indoor potable water consumption by 20 percent or greater.
• Climate risk assessment (required for projects studying new infrastructure valued over $2 million; optional for other projects).
• 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 Sustainable Municipal Buildings application guide.

New information below. Please review before submitting a funding application.

 Best practice energy targets: EUI and TEDI requirements 

For the new construction of sustainable municipal buildings, applicants should strive to meet best practice energy targets. These proposed targets are based on: 

• Energy Use Intensity (EUI): Performance requirement for building energy consumed per year, per unit floor area. Normally measured in kWh/m2/y.
• Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI): Performance requirement for building heating demand per year, per unit floor area. Normally measured in kWh/m2/y.

Targets are to be established based on climate zone and building typology. 

Consult our short guide for more information on how to calculate EUI and TEDI targets for new buildings based on building typology, including key definitions and examples.

 

Typology 1: Office and office-like buildings including libraries and town halls 

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets 

EUI targets are established for office and office-like building types by climate zone as shown in the table below. 

Climate zone	EUI target (kWh/m2/y)
4	100
5	100
6	100
7 & 8	.0078 x HDD18 + 78

Table 1: EUI targets for office and office-like buildings by climate zone.

 

Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) targets 

TEDI targets are established for office and office-like building types by climate zone as shown in the table below.

Climate zone	TEDI target (kWh/m2/yr)
4	30
5	32
6	34
7	36
8	40

Table 2: TEDI targets for office and office-like buildings by climate zone.

Contact us if you need assistance determining your climate zone.

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below.

 

Typology 2: Non-office buildings such as indoor ice rinks, pools, fitness centres, indoor soccer fields and public works buildings 

The EUI and TEDI targets must be calculated by your energy modeling consultant as described below. 

Your proposed building must be modeled in accordance with the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020. In addition, an NECB 2020 baseline version of your building must be modeled. Your NECB 2020 proposed building must meet the EUI and TEDI requirements as follows: 

• EUI requirement: Your proposed building’s EUI must be 25% lower than your NECB 2020 baseline energy model. 
• TEDI requirement: Your proposed building’s TEDI must be equal to or better than the NECB 2020 baseline building TEDI. 

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below. 

 

Typology 3: A mix of typologies 1 and 2 

• If 75% or more of your building’s floor area is typology 1, treat the entire building as typology 1, not typology 3. 
• If 75% or more of your building’s floor area is typology 2, treat the entire building as typology 2, not typology 3. 
• If your building contains a mix of typologies 1 and 2, where neither exceeds 75% floor area, a weighted-average EUI and TEDI must be calculated. Consult our TEDI and EUI guidance document tipsheet for more information (coming soon) or contact us. 

 

Important: See list of additional mandatory requirements for all building typologies listed below. 

 

Additional mandatory requirements: 

1. Renewable energy, such as from solar panels, does not count towards the energy targets. When calculating EUI, do not deduct renewable energy production from the building’s energy use. 
2. Thermal bridging must be taken into account in the EUI and TEDI targets. 
3. If your building contains a parkade, the parkade energy use must be included in the EUI and TEDI targets, however the parkade floor area must be excluded from the EUI and TEDI calculations. 
4. The reference (baseline) and proposed energy models must be modeled in accordance with NECB 2020. Other versions of NECB (such as NECB 2015, NECB 2017) are not acceptable. 
5. The building must achieve zero operational GHGs (no natural gas or other fossil fuel combustion), with the exception of emergency back-up systems (grid electricity emissions are excluded). 

Consult our short guide for more information on how to calculate EUI and TEDI targets for new buildings based on building typology, including key definitions and examples.

Optional: Embodied carbon analysis

It is recommended (not required) for applicants to consider embodied carbon in their project. An embodied carbon analysis can be included within the scope of the feasibility study and should conduct a whole building cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment.

If you choose to conduct this analysis, it is recommended to develop a baseline for your building and materials, and compare the results to a proposed model. Upon completion of the study, you should be able to confidently measure your project’s embodied carbon in GHG emissions.

It is highly recommended that an appropriate professional conduct this work, not limited to a professional engineer or architect. 

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:

• potable water conservation
• sustainable materials management
• biodiversity
• 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 initiating operation of an organic waste-to-energy system. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities produce and utilize local sources of energy and generate additional valuable products such as digestate and fertilizers, ultimately resulting in a net GHG emission reduction.

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 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 Organic Waste-to-Energy application guide.

Requirements for all Organic Waste-to-Energy projects

All projects (business cases, feasibility studies, and capital projects) must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The project generates energy from:
  • Upgrading or direct use of landfill gas; OR
  • Anaerobic digestion of local organic waste; OR
  • Aerobic composting of local organic waste with heat recovery.
• The project results in a net GHG emissions reduction compared to the current baseline.
• Project creates a net energy benefit relative to the current baseline.

Note: local organic waste may include food waste, yard waste, biosolids, or the organic fraction of construction/demolition waste, packaging, agricultural or forestry waste.

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 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 organic waste-to-energy system. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities produce and utilize local sources of energy and generate additional valuable products such as digestate and fertilizers, ultimately resulting in a net GHG emission reduction.

Your feasibility study should build on your business case exploring a system that generates energy from landfill gas, anaerobic digestion or aerobic composting with heat recovery for local organic waste, including food waste, yard waste, biosolids, or the organic fraction of construction/demolition waste, packaging, agricultural or forestry waste.

Your study should aim to:

• Confirm the practicality and viability of constructing and operating the proposed organic waste-to-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).

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

• What are the GHG impacts of the solution or approach being studied?
• Is there an economic benefit to the municipality of developing the proposed organic waste-to-energy system, rather than managing the feedstock in another manner?
• 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 organic waste feedstocks.
• Verification of buyers 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 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 Organic Waste-to-Energy application guide.

Requirements for all Organic Waste-to-Energy projects

All projects (business cases, feasibility studies, and capital projects) must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The project generates energy from:
  • Upgrading or direct use of landfill gas; OR
  • Anaerobic digestion of local organic waste; OR
  • Aerobic composting of local organic waste with heat recovery.
• The project results in a net GHG emissions reduction compared to the current baseline.
• Project creates a net energy benefit relative to the current baseline.

Note: local organic waste may include food waste, yard waste, biosolids, or the organic fraction of construction/demolition waste, packaging, agricultural or forestry waste.

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 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 assess viable waste-to-energy systems and business models for a given site and/or feedstock. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities determine whether it is viable to produce and utilize energy from landfill gas or waste organic material, and generate additional valuable products such as digestate and fertilizers, ultimately resulting in a net GHG emission reduction.

Your business case can explore a system that generates energy from landfill gas, anaerobic digestion or aerobic composting with heat recovery for local organic waste, including food waste, yard waste, biosolids, or the organic fraction of construction/demolition waste, packaging, agricultural or forestry waste.

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.

Your business case should aim to:

• Determine the practicality and viability of available organic waste-to-energy systems for your site and/or feedstock and identify a preferred system or systems.
• 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?
• Is there an economic benefit to the municipality of developing an organic waste-to-energy system, rather than managing the feedstock in another manner?
• 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 local organic waste feedstocks.
• A lifecycle assessment of available feedstocks.
• A scan and evaluation of available organic waste-to-energy systems and 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 organic waste-to-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.

Business cases for Organic Waste-to-Energy projects must also include a lifecycle assessment (LCA) or lifecycle inventory of proposed feedstocks.  

This analysis should include a comparison of the environmental impacts of the use of the feedstock in a proposed organic waste-to-energy system, in contrast to the current management of the feedstock. It should also confirm if here is sufficient and reliable quantity and quality of feedstock supply both cyclically over the course of an operating year and over the facility’s planned lifecycle. (ISO14040, ISO14044, and the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) handbook provide optional guidance to support applicants in undertaking an LCA.) 

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 impactful initiatives, so not all eligible projects will be approved for funding.

Further information regarding the offer can be found in the Organic Waste-to-Energy application guide

Requirements for all Organic Waste-to-Energy projects

All projects (business cases, feasibility studies, and capital projects) must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The project generates energy from:
  • Upgrading or direct use of landfill gas; OR
  • Anaerobic digestion of local organic waste; OR
  • Aerobic composting of local organic waste with heat recovery.
• The project results in a net GHG emissions reduction compared to the current baseline.
• Project creates a net energy benefit relative to the current baseline.

Note: local organic waste may include food waste, yard waste, biosolids, or the organic fraction of construction/demolition waste, packaging, agricultural or forestry waste.

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 offer combined loan and grant funding for capital projects that achieve a partial or complete transition of municipal and/or transit fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), to significantly reduce corporate GHG emissions in line with Canada's 2030 and 2050 targets.

Eligible costs include:

• The replacement of internal combustion engine vehicles with zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).
  • i.e., vehicles that have the potential to produce no tailpipe emissions, including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
• The required EV supply equipment (EVSE).
• Any required facility upgrades to existing buildings.

Note: Projects focused on installing EV charging infrastructure primarily dedicated to the municipal and/or transit fleet are eligible for funding  

The following vehicles are eligible under this offer:

• Battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible if the project demonstrates a low carbon intensity level for hydrogen production, defined as a threshold of 4 kg CO₂e per kg of hydrogen.

GMF will consider multipronged capital projects that include other electric vehicles and equipment. Additions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, provided they align with the offer’s overarching goals.

What your project needs to achieve

Your project should replace one or more existing vehicles with ZEVs or deploy the necessary EV charging infrastructure for municipal and/or transit ZEVs. .

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:

• 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:

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

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.