Coaching Projects

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.