Tag: Canada

Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Microgrid, solar thermal facility, electric vehicle charging stations, and a farm biogas project.
  • Implementation: Oxford County comprises 2 towns, 5 townships, and 1 city. It is located along highly accessible transportation routes and has a long tradition in farming. On June 24, 2015, the Council set the 100% renewable energy target, with the commitment for community-wide use of renewable energy for electricity, heating/cooling, and transportation. It adopted the The Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan. The County has taken the opportunity to learn from other cities around the world (such as those in Germany) that have achieved 100% RE, to see how innovations in renewable energy could be adapted to Oxford’s context. The research formed the basis for Oxford County’s 100% Renewable Energy Action Plan, which would catalyze environmental change in Oxford, create opportunities for renewable energy investment in the county, and become a living laboratory for education, research, and development of cutting-edge renewable energy solutions for local governments. It also outlines a framework detailing how community, business, government, academic, national and international partners can work together to achieve specific targets, milestones and actions.
  • Population: 110,862 (2016)
  • Area: 2,036.61 km2 (786.34 sq mi)
  • Link: Oxford County Environmental and Energy Plans
Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

  • Target:Comprehensive 100 percent renewable energy target in electricity, heating and cooling, transportation by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar hot water and photovoltaic installations
  • Implementation: On October 2, 2017, the District of Saanich, British Columbia adopted a 100% renewable energy target for its entire community. It is assessing the feasibility of having all Municipal Buildings become 100% RE by 2025. Efforts began in 2010 when the municipality approved the Saanich Climate Action Plan, with the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33% in the community and 50% in municipal operations by 2020, based on 2007 levels. In 2016, Saanich began developing an RE strategy for each municipal building. The RE retrofit in municipal buildings would provide beneficial examples to the community and the Region.

    Saanich joins Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia and Oxford County, Ontario (three major cities in British Columbia) in committing to 100% renewable energy, all of which have adopted the target for their electricity, heating and cooling, and transportation sectors. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the municipality is home to 115,000 residents. In addition to phasing out fossil fuels by the year 2050, Saanich will also pursue an 80% greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal.

    The City's Energy Plan initiative is called 100% Renewable Saanich. Its Terms of Reference can be read here. The plan for the renewable energy transition will  baseline existing energy use, explore different scenarios, engage the community, and suggest monitoring and reporting options.
    Video: Saanich TAP project

  • Population: 114,148 (2016)
  • Area: 103.78 km2 (40.07 sq mi)
  • Link: Saanich Climate Plan
Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Renewable energy mix, and energy efficiency measures.
  • Implementation: Vancouver is the most densely populated city in Canada, and the largest city in the Province of British Columbia. It is also part of the third largest Canadian metropolitan area, Metro Vancouver. The city is often recognized as one of world’s most livable city thanks to its compact urban fabric and mixed-use development. It is an active economic centre due to its location on the Pacific Rim.  Vancouver sea-port, Port Metro Vancouver is the third largest port in tonnage in North America. In December 2015, the city decided to commit to a 100% renewable energy target by 2050. To achieve this, it laid out the "Renewable City Strategy 2015-2050", which would not only be in line with Vancouver’s compliance with the UN Covenant of Mayors in October 2015, but also the Greenest City 2020 action plan. Based on thorough research and analysis of current energy consumption data, international best practices and civil society consultation and expertise, the city's Strategy draws clear guidelines on buildings and transport, which account for 90% of the city energy consumption. To reach the 100% RE goal, the city will involve private and public stakeholders such as businesses, citizens and all levels of government (local, regional, provincial, and federal). By expanding distributed energy systems and improving existing city infrastructure, Vancouver also aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% below 2007 levels before 2050, and decrease its energy use from 53.3 million GJ in 2014 to 38.3 million GJ by 2050.
  • Population: 631,486 (city), 2,463,431 (metro)(2016)
  • Area: 114.97 km2 (44.39 sq mi)(city), 2,878.52 km2(1,111.40 sq mi)(metro)
  • Link: City of Vancouver: Renewable City Strategy 2015-2050
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2050
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Mix of RE technologies, electrical cars, district energy system, and Passive House standard in all new construction.
  • Implementation: The city of Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city and is situated at the southern point of Vancouver Island, directly north of the American border. In December 2016, the Victoria City Council released detailed plans for the city to become 100% RE by the year 2050, following a vote by the city council in August 2016. Victoria is the third city in Canada to announce plans for a 100% renewable energy future, where all energy needs will be provided by renewable means, including heating, cooling and transport. The measure was accompanied by a motion to reduce Victoria’s GHG footprint by 80%. The Victoria City Council has developed a detailed plan, including benchmarking and deadlines for the reduction of GHGs and increases of the city’s renewable energy mix until 2050. Areas of emphasis include increasing the proportion of electrical cars in the city’s fleet, continued development of the city’s district energy system, and adoption of Passive House standards to all new construction.
  • Population: 85,792 (2016)
  • Area: Capital city: 19.47 km2 (7.52 sq mi), Metro: 696.15 km2(268.79 sq mi)
  • Link: City of Victoria: Climate Leadership Plan
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada