Factsheet: Governance strategies for deep decarbonization

Almost all Canadian municipalities use policy tools (e.g., bylaws, codes, certification) to implement their strategies for climate action.

When planning and implementing decarbonization policies, it is important to consider existing policies and jurisdictions, as well as enforcement mechanisms. It is also necessary to carefully assess advantages and barriers that may arise for various stakeholders and ensure all equity-seeking groups are considered.

This table shows examples of policy options that support deep emissions reductions in various priority decarbonization pathways.

Examples of policy-oriented governance strategies for deep decarbonization

• Many municipalities have implemented anti-idling bylaws to discourage idling in all vehicles and encourage non-idling options to keep cars warm in winter. The City of Rossland, BC (population 3,729) implemented an anti-idling bylaw and put up signs in the downtown to promote the bylaw.
• The City of Vancouver, BC (population 631,486) implemented an energy bylaw for existing buildings and a stretch code for new buildings, to reduce new builds to zero-emission and embodied emissions by 40%.
• The City of Saint John, NB (population 71,364) amended zoning bylaws to include a new green energy land-use zone for large-scale renewable energy projects. The city also revised its asset management policy to ensure climate mitigation and adaptation are considered for both new infrastructure and infrastructure renewal.

Financial tools stimulate behavioural change through a combination of pricing, taxes, low-interest loans, charges, fees, subsidies and community grants.

This table shows examples of financial options that support deep emissions reductions in various priority decarbonization pathways.

Examples of finance-oriented governance strategies for deep decarbonization

• The Town of Halton Hills, ON (population 61,161) is exploring the option of a third-party partner (e.g., an NGO, non-profit, or cooperative) to administer investments and loans related to climate change.
• The City of Saskatoon, SK (population 245,181) launched a Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) in 2021. Similar to property assessed clean energy (PACE), the program will provide loans for energy efficiency retrofits and energy generation on residential properties.

Efforts to reduce GHG emissions usually create significant economic development opportunities and savings. Many Canadian municipalities are experiencing economic benefits from climate action, green procurement policies and aligning their decarbonization plans with economic development strategies. Integrating decarbonization efforts with economic development can often accelerate local action, especially in municipalities that are hesitant about pursuing or funding climate action.

This table shows examples of policies, programs and processes that integrate climate action with economic development to support deep emissions reductions in various priority decarbonization pathways.

Examples of green economic development strategies for deep decarbonization

• The Town of Bridgewater, NS (population 8,532) developed its Community Energy Investment Plan as a green economic development strategy and plans to create green jobs in the building, transportation and energy sectors.
• The City of Victoriaville, QC (population 47,796) is collaborating with Economic Development Corporation to develop an industrial eco-park and a greener industry

Engaging the public and community organizations requires focused effort and communication throughout the decarbonization planning and implementation cycle. Engagement activities range from seeking public feedback on a proposed decarbonization plan to establishing a collaborative decision-making model. Successful engagement activities create transparency, improve climate literacy and awareness, and promote support for climate action.

Corporate and community-wide climate action plans need different types of engagement. Corporate plans involve consultation and perhaps partnerships for implementation, while community-wide plans require a collaborative approach that uses shared decision-making and collective action. The next section provides more information on collaborative and consultative approaches.

Examples of engagement options that support deep emissions reductions in all priority pathways for decarbonization (buildings, transportation, waste, electricity, and nature-based solutions).

• Advocating to other orders of government
• Undertaking community-based social marketing
• Identifying and prioritizing collaboration to implement community or sector decarbonization projects, programs or actions
• Participating in transnational or regional networks
• Implementing local partner membership programs
• Partnering with educational institutions
• Providing public education on energy and electrification, transportation, waste and building retrofits
• Consulting with stakeholders, community members and technical experts

What are the different types of municipal engagement for deep decarbonization?

During the decarbonization planning process, municipalities often find themselves taking part in different types of engagement. These may be categorized as stakeholder engagement, rightsholder engagement, advocacy and lobbying, and partner engagement.

1) Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholders are both people (the public) and groups and organizations. Stakeholder engagement is vital to inclusion and integrated decision-making throughout the decarbonization planning process.

When planning for community-wide decarbonization, municipalities must continuously build trust among stakeholders, to align the decarbonization plan with stakeholder values and needs while achieving deep decarbonization targets. Additionally, meaningful participation may be encouraged by ensuring diverse stakeholder representation and equipping stakeholders with the appropriate tools and capacities for action.

Example of stakeholder engagement for deep decarbonization

• The Town of Drayton Valley, AB (population 7,235) hosted a series of energy literacy workshops that encouraged participants to envision an energy future that fits the community, and to talk about how that vision could be realized. Participants included local residents, businesses, academia and elected officials from neighbouring communities.

2) Rightsholder engagement

Many municipalities in Canada are on the traditional unceded or treaty territories of Indigenous peoples. It is important to identify Indigenous rightsholders that might have their treaty and Indigenous sovereignty rights impacted by an implementation action or decarbonization strategy. Indigenous involvement in the engagement process is necessary to ensure meaningful representation and participation of the Indigenous rightsholders within or in proximity to the municipality. Rightsholder engagement must be conducted in a timely, transparent and respectful manner.

Soliciting engagement from Indigenous government representatives, urban Indigenous organizations and/or sovereignty-seeking groups in decarbonization planning and implementation is an important part of the overall engagement process. It helps ensure that deep decarbonization efforts are done in collaboration with Indigenous organizations and that the plans incorporate Indigenous knowledge and wisdom and consider the implications on traditional territories and land claims.

3) Advocacy and lobbying

Advocacy and lobbying can encourage more action on and attention to decarbonization from other orders of government. This can include regulatory and financial support.

Example of advocacy and lobbying for deep decarbonization

• An intergovernmental department in the City of Guelph, ON (population 131,794) and local community groups are advocating to other orders of government for support for climate action. An example is the community group named Advocacy is our Story.

4) Partner engagement

GHG emissions reductions require collective effort from multiple stakeholders, and partner engagement is critical to ensuring everyone is working toward the same vision. Through active partner engagement, stakeholders can be part of community-wide transformation and connect with the local government on decarbonization efforts. Partner engagement often requires negotiating roles and organizational contributions.

Examples of partner engagement for deep decarbonization

• The City of Grande Prairie, AB (population 69,088) engaged the downtown association in the decision to install electric vehicle charging stations. It also connected with the Chamber of Commerce to involve builders and developers.
• In BC, City Green Solutions has collaborated with nine municipalities (Capital Regional District, City of Victoria, District of Saanich, District of Central Saanich, City of Campbell River, Regional District of Nanaimo, Comox Valley Regional District, Township of Esquimalt, and Cowichan Valley Regional District) on a residential retrofit acceleration project to help reduce emissions from the building sector.
• The City of Rossland, BC (population 3,729) partnered with the local utility Fortis BC, the Columbia Basin Trust, and the Nelson and District Credit Union to develop the Rossland Energy Diet and retrofit more than 150 homes.