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Maintaining Momentum on Climate Action after Municipal Reform
The municipal reform process will redefine the territorial boundaries of a significant number of communities in New Brunswick, including many of the 55 and more municipalities that currently have Community Energy & Emissions Plans (CEEPs) and are members of the FCM-ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program, which helps them to reduce emissions in their municipality. Along with redefined territorial boundaries, new councils will be sworn in at the end of 2022.
As a result of the municipal reform, there will be a reduction in the number of PCP members in New Brunswick. However, the remaining PCP members (new municipal entities) will cover a larger percentage of New Brunswick territory, and could present more opportunities for GHG emissions reduction from transportation, buildings, water and waste.
CEEPs (Community Energy and Emissions Plans) are not only an important tool to reduce local GHG emissions, they also support communities in helping to reach provincial and federal climate targets. CEEPs are as much about lowering GHG emissions as they are about keeping energy dollars local and driving economic development. Investment in local energy initiatives allows more money to be spent in the local economy and provides opportunities for community employment and supply chains. CEEPs’ inclusion of energy conservation and efficiency, renewable and alternative energy and fuels, district energy, and new approaches to transportation can have impacts including:
reducing energy poverty,
creating jobs,
influencing a firm’s decision to remain in a community,
and attracting investment.
Implementation of CEEPs can also aid post-COVID-19 economic recovery by supporting lower energy costs, creating a cleaner environment, improving community resilience, and developing new business opportunities.
It will be important to ensure CEEPs, targets, and momentum are maintained beyond the municipal reform process and municipal elections in November. Municipalities are key players that can drive momentum, and their participation is essential for New Brunswick to meet their GHG reduction and economic development goals. Gathered below are some key considerations and next steps for municipalities with CEEPs.
So What’s Next?
For communities that are members of PCP and have developed a CEEP and who are amalgamating with other communities and Local Service Districts without a CEEP, consider the following actions:
Ensure your technical/planning committee for amalgamation is aware of your CEEP and the need to identify a staff person that can coordinate CEEP implementation, or can advocate for regional support.
Newly elected councils should be briefed on existing plans and targets, and make a commitment to uphold targets and update their plans.
Inform the PCP Secretariat of the new municipal entity and lead contact person. Confirm that your new municipal entity will carry forward with the measures outlined in the original CEEP, and continue advancing through the PCP Milestones.
Update your GHG inventory, targets, and CEEP to account for changes such as new municipal assets, a larger territory with more buildings, a larger population and additional measures to reduce GHGs.
Update the PCP Secretariat with your revised GHG inventories, targets, and CEEP.
Explore with your municipal association(s) on what support they can provide.
Explore with the Regional Service Commission (RSC/CSR) options for regional coordination and services.
Make sure to submit to ICLEI for Milestone recognition. For example, your GHG inventories for Milestone 1, your GHG reduction targets for Milestone 2, your CEEP/GHG reduction plan for Milestone 3, your implementation strategy and status update for Milestone 4, and your updated GHG inventories quantifying the GHG reductions achieved for Milestone 5.
Carry forward with the measures identified in your CEEP.
Be sure to monitor your progress and measure your outcomes.
For communities that are members of PCP and have developed a CEEP, who are amalgamating with other communities that also have a CEEP, consider the following actions:
Ensure your technical/planning committee for amalgamation is aware of your CEEPs and the need to identify a staff person that can coordinate CEEP implementation, or to advocate for regional support.
Newly elected councils should be briefed on existing plans and targets, and make a commitment to uphold targets and update their plans.
Inform the PCP Secretariat of the new municipal entity and lead contact person.
Review and combine GHG inventories, or create a new GHG inventory to account for new municipal assets, a larger territory with more buildings and a larger population.
Review and combine CEEPs:
- In some cases, municipalities that are amalgamating who are at similar PCP Milestones and share similar goals, will easily be able to combine their GHG inventories and CEEPs, and maintain momentum on implementation going forward.
- In other cases, municipalities that are amalgamating will be at different milestones or have different targets. For example, one community may have adopted a net-zero target, while another may have a 30% reduction target, or may still be developing their plan. For those communities, it will necessitate a review and update of their plans, targets, and priority actions.
Update the PCP Secretariat with your revised GHG inventories, targets, and CEEPs.
Explore with your municipal association(s) on what support they can provide.
Explore with the Regional Service Commission (RSC/CSR) regarding options for regional coordination and services.
Carry forward with the measures identified in your CEEP.
Make sure to submit to ICLEI for Milestone recognition. For, example your GHG inventories for Milestone 1, your GHG reduction targets for Milestone 2, your CEEP / GHG reduction plan for Milestone 3, your implementation strategy and status update for Milestone 4, and your updated GHG inventories quantifying the GHG reductions achieved for Milestone 5.
Be sure to monitor your progress and measure your outcomes.
The new municipalities should communicate with PCP ([email protected]) to inform them of any amalgamations that have led to two or more PCP members becoming one, as well as to submit for PCP Milestone recognition. Another way is to send updates to the [email protected] general email.
When a municipality decides to update their plan and targets they can access the N.B. Environmental Trust Fund for this type of initiative. Additional funding from the FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) can be used to support studies, pilots and projects. To find out more about funding opportunities through GMF, visit: https://fcm.ca/en/funding
For further guidance, we recommend reaching out to your municipal associations and QUEST Canada.
Other helpful resources for PCP members include:
Key Take-Aways & Next Steps:
1. Ensure new councils have access to existing plans/targets. Make a presentation.
2. Update your GHG inventory, targets, and plans, to include new municipal assets, a larger territory with more buildings and a larger population.
3. Inform the PCP Secretariat of renewed commitments and changes to PCP membership (e.g. new municipal entities) and lead contact.
4. Identify annual priorities (e.g. energy efficiency, transportation and clean energy) and propose policy updates (e.g. bylaws to encourage energy efficiency, renewable energy, and active transportation).
5. Consult with your municipal associations and QUEST Canada for resources and guidance.
6. Access funding to advance specific studies, pilots, or projects from FCM Green Municipal Fund, Natural Resources Canada, N.B. Regional Development Corporation, and/or N.B. Environmental Trust Fund.
7. Notwithstanding, consider climate impacts and advance adaptation measures.
8. Stay tuned for the release of the new N.B. Climate Change Action Plan this summer (2022).
ABOUT US
QUEST Canada is a national non-profit that supports communities in Canada on their pathway to net-zero. Since 2007, we’ve been facilitating connections, empowering community champions and influencing decision-makers to implement efficient and integrated energy systems that best meet community needs and maximize local opportunities. We develop tools and resources, convene stakeholders and rightsholders, and advise decision-makers on how communities can contribute to net-zero. Fifteen N.B. Municipalities are part of QUEST’s Smart Energy Community Accelerator Program, over 30 are now part of QUEST’s Municipal Working Group, and we provide regional support to FCM-ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection members (55+ in N.B.).
Eddie Oldfield
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