Step Code Fact Sheet

The BC building code was updated. Effective May 1, 2023, most new construction will be required to be 20% more energy efficient than previously required.
There is also a new Zero Carbon Step Code that regulates the carbon emissions associated with operating buildings. This is mostly voluntary for local governments at this point. But what are the codes? What is the difference?
CEA created this fact sheet to answer these questions, summarize the requirements, and clearly show where local governments can choose to opt-in.
View / Download FileResources and supports available to BC locally elected officials to advance their communities through climate action

Just over a month after the October local government elections in BC, CEA worked with Climate Caucus and the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) to present a webinar for all elected officials–new and returning–interested in advancing climate-related initiatives in their communities. The webinar collected info on various local priorities and also provided information on various supports available to elected officials: networks for ongoing collaboration and peer learning, upcoming events, coaching, and online resources
Download VideoYouth Perspectives on Co-Creating Climate Action at the Municipal Level

Currently, youth are faced with barriers and obstacles to participation in municipal decision making systems and often municipalities struggle to engage youth in meaningful ways as they seek to advance their climate action work. So, how can youth have more opportunities to shape and advance municipalities’ climate action work, and how can municipalities better engage and seek input and support from youth? CityHive exists to fill this gap; and was able to undertake a 6 month long research project to better understand the needs of municipalities to co-create climate actions with youth to inform program decisions to shape how youth and decision makers can work collaboratively to address climate change policies and issues on agendas of municipalities across the Metro Vancouver region.
Download VideoLocal Governments in the Decade of Climate Action: Government Support and the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030

What does the CleanBC Roadmap mean to local governments? Where is the biggest opportunity for communities? The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council and Community Energy Association hosted a virtual dialogue for BC elected officials to prepare for the decade of climate action by highlighting the key opportunities of the CleanBC Roadmap.
Download VideoCARIP Use and Impact Assessment

CEA undertook a survey of local governments between May 14th and May 19th 2021 to provide a timely, independent assessment of how local governments used the CARIP program and to assess the impact that the program has had. The 45 responses to the survey indicate that the CARIP program was a valued, unique, high-leverage program for large and medium communities while delivering modest benefits to small communities.
View / Download FileZEV Story Toolkit

The ZEV Story Toolkit equips local and regional governments to be the designers and delivery agents of quality, creative communications materials in order to improve awareness and increase ZEV adoption in their community. The toolkit includes a guide as well as examples and templates to walk local governments from project conception through to creating communications materials.
View / Download FileCEA's New Climate Action Planner Tool

In this webinar, CEA demonstrates its interactive Climate Action Planner tool, https://www.communityenergy.ca/climate-action-planner/. This tool allows a user to create a draft energy & emissions inventory for any local government or Islands Trust Area in BC, and conduct simplified modelling to see the effectiveness of implementing actions to meet GHG reduction targets. This webinar also demonstrates how it should be used in conjunction with the Climate Leaders Playbook (“the Playbook”), https://bcclimateleaders.ca/, and how it relates to the FCM-ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection milestones.
Download VideoClimate Action Primer for the 2020 BC Election

Local governments are already doing a lot to create low carbon, livable communities, and there are many ways the Province can support. In this infographic, created by the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council in collaboration with CEA, we lay out the specific ways the Province can support local governments in their climate action pathway.
View / Download FileThe Opportunity of Here and Now: Local Governments and a Green Recovery - May 14, 2020

Community Energy Association (CEA) and the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) hosted an online dialogue called The Opportunity of Here and Now: Local Governments and a Green Recovery.
Download VideoPolicy Insights for COVID Recovery

As we begin the thoughtful journey to build back better, it's imperative we implement solutions that are reflective of this unique situation. Given where we are now and which sectors and individuals have been impacted most, we have the opportunity to choose a stimulus strategy that builds in economic, health and climate benefits.
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