With funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC and BullItt Foundation, CEA is supporting local governments research and design a new business model that can transform the electric air source heat pump market. Currently, households interested in installing an ASHP system are largely left on their own to identify a qualified installer, ensure a quality unit and system design, access relevant information and resources, locate available incentives, and arrange financing. This project seeks to address the market confusion and information gaps this by prototyping a ‘One Stop Shop’ (i.e. Concierge) business model with a single interface for homeowners, offering both education and implementation services.

Through the RDEK Energy Manager position, CEA is leading the East Kootenay Organics Infrastructure Program, a collaboration with municipal partners throughout the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK). The aim of the program is to recover a significant portion of compostable organic resources in the East Kootenay via optimized, scalable, aerated windrow composting at facilities located in each of three sub-regions: Columbia Valley, Central Sub-Region and the Elk Valley.

CEA staff managed and developed some of the early Home Energy Retrofit Campaigns in BC. The Rossland Energy Diet of 2011 was one of the province’s campaign leaders, followed by the Nelson EcoSave program in 2012. Nelson EcoSave is a long-term campaign, recently expanding into the entire Regional District of Central Kootenay as "REEP" – Regional Energy Efficiency Program. In 2019 CEA began managing the New Home component of REEP to encourage a regional approach to adopting the BC Energy Step Code.  The interior “Energy Diets” of 2013, managed by CEA staff, were Kootenay Energy Diet; Okanagan Energy Diet and the East Kootenay Energy Diet. Kootenay Energy Diet was funded by Fortis BC, Natural Resources Canada, Columbia Basin Trust and LiveSmart BC, with partnership of the participating local governments and community Credit Unions. The East Kootenay Energy Diet included partnership with BC Hydro. See Full Details for a summary of the early Home Energy Retrofit campaigns which provides some useful background information on moving forward on “deep dive” retrofit campaigns.

When the BC Energy Step Code was introduced in 2017, CEA addressed an identified knowledge gap in the East Kootenay region of BC by developing the ‘Building a Legacy’ program. Responding to feedback from key industry stakeholders, the program has supported the transition of the East Kootenay building industry to implement the BC Energy Step Code and the performance pathway approach to achieving Building Code standards. Building a Legacy includes a number of hands-on training opportunities that combine peer learning with leading edge building science education. We have delivered training for diverse audiences, including builders, architects, designers, sub-trades, real estate professionals, building officials and members of the public. In addition, local knowledge has been leveraged and amplified through a video series and an introduction to BC Energy Step Code video.

The Fernie Food Action Strategy is a first step toward a vision of a resilient local food system and improved community-level food security in the Elk Valley.

CEA worked with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) to host a workshop with key agencies that provide support and funding for Indigenous communities working on energy and climate action. This multi-agency meeting included representatives from programs supporting action across the spectrum of clean energy – planning and implementation, training and capacity building, housing support, energy efficiency and generation.

In 2019, CEA collaborated with the District of Ucluelet to create their Climate Action Plan, which was adopted that same year. Titled "Clean Energy for the Safe Harbour", the plan set ambitious 2050 targets of 100% Renewable Energy and 80% reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. It includes an inventory of community emissions, goals to achieve the targets, and strategies to achieve those goals and ultimately allowed them to be awarded FCM Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Milestone 4 and Milestone 2 for action community and corporate emissions, respectively. The full document can be found here: https://ucluelet.ca/images/Clean_Energy_for_the_Safe_Harbour_March_29.pdf

This guide was compiled by CEA with the generous support of the Province of B.C. - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The foundation of much of the content in the Tools and Technologies section is from the original Integrated Resource Recovery (IRR) Guide, Resources from Waste (2009), authored by Stephen Salter and the Province of B.C. In compiling this resource, CEA worked with an advisory committee who guided the direction of the project and we are grateful for their time and expertise while reviewing and providing suggestions. The guide was transformed into an online resource to make it more accessible to local governments making infrastructure plans that recover energy and resources from waste. Using Closing the Loop, local governments can access a multitude of information including technology, case studies and funding support. “Closing the Loop” places IRR into a broader approach we are calling “regenerative infrastructure”. The approach, and its name, is inspired by the concept of regenerative design, which mimics nature’s processes. In nature, there is no waste, as all resources cycle through closed loop systems and serve a purpose.

The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) is composed of leading Mayors and Councillors from across BC representing communities - big and small, north and south, east and west - who are committed to climate action. In September 2010, ten mayors from large and small communities across BC came together to volunteer to assist other locally elected officials move climate action forward. This includes volunteering to mentor locally elected officials. The mayors and councilors do this because they are passionate about climate action and because they agree that: Climate change is happening now; is largely the result of human activity, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels; and is an urgent issue to address The importance of climate action transcends politics Local government leadership on climate action is critical Local governments can have a significant impact on energy and emissions in their own operations and across our communities Addressing climate change will require transitioning to low-carbon energy systems integrated across our communities Climate action is a relatively new area for many locally elected officials in BC Given the importance and scale of the challenge, it is important for locally elected officials who have some experience in climate action to support other mayors, councilors and regional directors who are interested in moving climate action forward in their community. BCMCLC is facilitated by the Community Energy Association who provides staff support, creates resources, coaches members and organizes events like the Climate Leaders Institute.

The Climate Leaders Institute is a two-day workshop expressly designed to help British Columbia mayors, councillors, and regional district directors confidently lead or support bold climate action in their communities. CLI moves beyond a traditional conference setting so participants gain the tools they need to translate their inspiration and political capital into real world, community-specific climate solutions. This is achieved through a combination of small break out groups along with presentations designed and delivered by colleagues, leading professionals and inspirational speakers.