What we fund

We fund feasibility studies that assess in detail the approaches needed to implement a new construction of an energy-efficient 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.

Eligible municipal buildings, such as municipally-owned community buildings, may include but are not limited to:  

• city halls, town halls  
• administrative buildings, police stations    
• indoor ice rinks, indoor sports arenas, indoor swimming pools    
• public libraries    
• community and recreational centres (e.g., community centres, clubhouses, recreation centres, gyms, halls and curling rinks)    
• arts and culture facilities (e.g., cultural facilities, performing arts facilities, art galleries and auditoriums)    
• multi-purpose buildings, which include one or more of the above community functions, as well as other services/administrative functions
• Note: Fire halls, paramedic centres, ambulance stations, and public works buildings are eligible for retrofits as stand-alone buildings. For new construction projects, they must be part of a multi-purpose building that includes at least one eligible building type listed above.

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 and TEDI targets, respective of climate zone, as listed below.
• Meeting the fossil fuel restriction requirements as described in the Best Practice Energy Targets section below
• Completion of a whole building lifecycle analysis (wbLCA) subject to conditions noted below.
• A reduction in embodied carbon as described below.
• Reduction of indoor potable water consumption by more than 20% compared to a baseline.
• 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?

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: Mandatory 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	95
5	95
6	95
7 & 8	.0074 x HDD18 + 74

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 

• Your reference (baseline) and proposed energy models must be modeled in accordance with National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020.  
• 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 for more information or contact us. 

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

 

Fossil fuel limitations 

Climate zones 4, 5, 6 and 7A :

• Buildings must achieve zero operational GHG emissions (no natural gas or fossil fuel use).
• The feasibility study may include additional scenarios with emergency backup systems, if needed.

Climate zones 7B and 8:  

• Buildings must achieve zero operational GHG emissions (no natural gas or fossil fuel use) when outdoor temperatures are −15°C and above.
• Fossil fuel heating is allowed only when temperatures fall below −15°C. 

 

Emergency backup systems

Some buildings may need emergency backup systems during power outages. If so, the feasibility study must:

• Analyze a scenario using a backup electricity generator (typically diesel-powered) to power the building's electrical systems, including electric heating systems (typically electric heat pumps).
• If analysis shows this is insufficient, the study may also include a scenario using backup fossil fuel heating (natural gas or heating oil). In this case, the study must:
  • Still include the all-electric backup scenario, and
  • Explain why the all-electric backup alone cannot meet emergency heating needs.

GMF-funded new buildings typically use electric heating and cooling systems (such as air-source or ground-source heat pumps), which may operate on a backup electricity generator during outages. These buildings are better equipped to maintain safe indoor conditions during extreme weather and power outages—for example, by providing cooling during a heat wave even if grid power is lost. 

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. 

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.

Embodied carbon analysis

An embodied carbon assessment must be included within the scope of the feasibility study as a deliverable and must meet the following requirements:

• The assessment must follow the National whole-building Life Cycle Analysis (wbLCA) Practitioner’s Guide and calculate the embodied carbon in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2e) and per square metre of floor area (kg CO2e/m²) for the life cycle stages A1-A5, B1-B5, and C1-C4. If biogenic carbon impacts are calculated, they must be reported separately and shall not be included in demonstration of compliance with the embodied carbon reduction.

• The embodied carbon assessment must demonstrate at least a 10% reduction in embodied carbon compared to a functionally equivalent baseline and should pursue additional reductions where feasible.

   

Additional mandatory requirements: 

1. For a Sustainable Municipal Buildings feasibility study, an early-stage assessment is acceptable, as most projects will not be at a Detailed Design or Construction Documents stage.
2. Applicants must follow the National wbLCA Practitioner’s Guide (Appendix B, Table 4), which limits analysis to the building’s structure and enclosure, including foundations, below-grade elements, structural frame, and exterior walls, roofs and floors. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to also assess embodied carbon from other building systems (such as interior partitions and mechanical or electrical systems), provided these results are reported separately.
3. The embodied carbon analysis must be completed by a registered architect or professional engineer with a minimum of three years of experience in embodied carbon assessments. 

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.

Use this funding to recover energy and value from organic waste—by capturing biogas from anaerobic digestion of organic material or landfill gas, and harnessing heat from wastewater, composting or landfill sites. These systems help cities and communities generate renewable energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions. They can also produce valuable byproducts like soil amendments, fertilizers and digestate—while potentially lowering landfill operating costs and waste disposal fees.

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
  • Energy recovery from composting, wastewater or landfill (geothermal).
• 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 explore viable renewable energy opportunities from landfill gas and organic waste, while generating new revenue streams from valuable byproducts such as digestate and fertilizers. These projects could lower landfill operating costs and waste disposal fees, as well as reduce GHG emissions.

Your feasibility study should build on your business case exploring a system that generates energy from landfill gas, anaerobic digestion or energy recovery from wastewater, landfills or aerobic composting, including food waste, yard waste, biosolids, packaging waste and agricultural 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
  • Energy recovery from composting, wastewater or landfill (geothermal).
• 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 explore viable renewable energy opportunities from landfill gas and organic waste, while generating new revenue streams from valuable byproducts such as digestate and fertilizers. These projects could lower landfill operating costs and waste disposal fees, as well as reduce GHG emissions.

Your business case can explore systems that generate energy from landfill gas, anaerobic digestion or heat recovery from wastewater, landfills or aerobic composting (including food waste, yard waste, biosolids, packaging waste and agricultural 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
  • Energy recovery from composting, wastewater or landfill (geothermal).
• 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.

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), including electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), electric buses, electric police cruisers, and other electric vehicles. This transition will lower fuel and maintenance costs while significantly reducing 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 charging infrastructure.
• 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 of municipal and/or transit fleets to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and low-emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Transitioning to electric vehicles will lower fuel and maintenance costs while reducing municipal GHG emissions in line with Canada’s 2030 and 2050 targets.

We fund studies that assess the feasibility of the transition of municipal and/or transit fleets to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and low-emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Transitioning to electric vehicles will lower fuel and maintenance costs while reducing municipal GHG emissions in line with Canada’s 2030 and 2050 targets.

Your study should include the following elements:

• Assess the entire fleet or a segment of the 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).  
• OR your study should assess an entire segments of your fleet (i.e. all the vehicles in the waste fleet)  
• OR your study should assess the transition of several heavy duty vehicles within a fleet.
• 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