Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program

QUEST Canada and Partnering Organizations Launch the NCA Program’s Inaugural Prairies Cohort of Participating Communities

QUEST Canada and four partnering organizations announce the launch of the inaugural Prairies Cohort, consisting of 10 communities who will participate in the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator (NCA) Program.

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QUEST Canada launches signature Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program

QUEST Canada recently announced the launch of its signature program, the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator, a program designed to equip participating communities across Canada with the knowledge necessary to develop and continuously implement community energy and emissions plans.

Read the News Release

About the Program

The Net-Zero Communities Accelerator (NCA) program leverages proven tools and services, equipping participating communities with the knowledge necessary to develop and continuously implement community energy and emissions plans (CEEPs). The program provides a robust suite of resources and guidance, enabling communities to attain the economic, environmental, and social benefits associated with their CEEPs. What makes the NCA program distinct is its prioritization of integrated CEEPs, including all relevant stakeholders, its inclusivity of communities of all sizes, and its adaptability to the unique context of each participating community. The program introduces communities to new ways of thinking and working, supporting them on their pathway to net-zero.

Program Services and Tools

The NCA program offers two stream options for all participating communities: foundation building or project initiation. There are dedicated tools and services specific to each stream as well as shared supports and services within both stream options.

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Foundation Building

The foundation building stream involves building the foundational knowledge and plans a community needs to action local energy and emissions plans and initiatives. It also provides coaching and navigating services, connecting communities with others who are also learning about and actioning community energy and emissions planning.

Services

Customized Accelerator Plan
Smart Energy Communities Benchmark Assessment (initial + final)
Community Energy Mapping Workshop
Community Energy Development and Climate Action Planning Workshops
Energy and Emissions Inventory
Community Energy & Emissions Plan Implementation Workshop
Community Energy & Emissions Plan Economic Impact Analysis

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Project Initiation

The project initiation stream involves building the foundation to launch a program (such as community-wide retrofits), a project (such as a regional electric vehicle charging network) or a policy that will result in reduced energy usage and emissions across the community or region. It also includes coaching and navigational services, connecting communities with others learning about and actioning community energy and emissions planning.

Services

Readiness Assessment
Build the Case (Estimation of emissions reduction potential, economic development potential, energy cost savings potential, risks, and examples from other communities)
Internal Alignment (One-on-one and group meetings to develop staff support and assistance in council / board presentation)
External Alignment (One-on-one meetings or up to two online workshops to convene and engage stakeholders to develop understanding and momentum. Stakeholders may include neighbouring local governments, industry, other levels of government, residents, and/or utilities)
Project Plan (Refining project / program / policy definition and workplan to get to launch)
Funding (Identification of grants and support in grant development)
Contracting (Development of requests for proposal and management of the procurement process, if needed at an additional cost)

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Shared Suppports

Though there are dedicated tools and services specific to each stream (foundation building and project initiation) there are also shared supports and services that both streams will be able to access and utilize.

Shared Services

Recommendation and Prioritization Report
Virtual Community Energy and Emissions Planning (CEEP) Course for Planners
Support and Navigation Services (existing tools, resources, energy advisors, funding from partners, webinars) and Personalised Coaching for Staff and Elected Officials (highly variable dependent on participant needs)
Powered by Communities (story telling, publications, social media)
Participation in relevant Working Groups
Webinar Series