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August 10, 2023
What We Heard Report- Housing Solutions Lab Exploring Our Future Co-Design Workshop
May 4, 2023
What We Heard Report- Housing Solutions Lab Context Workshop
May 4, 2023
What We Heard Report – Housing Solutions Lab Homeowners Workshop
April 28, 2023
This What We Heard report reflects the dialogue at the online roundtable convened by SFU’s Renewable Cities on March 9th, 2023, to explore the potential for harnessing..
March 8, 2023
This Renewable Cities’ roundtable discussion paper aims to catalyze policy and planning discourse amongst diverse stakeholders to accelerate action on three critical priorities: affordability, climate change..
February 21, 2023
Under-utilized single-family homes are a significant, untapped opportunity to create a much-needed rental housing supply on Vancouver’s North Shore and beyond, according to SFU’s new..
January 10, 2023
Last year, Nathan and his wife moved from a Vancouver apartment to a townhouse in South Surrey for a bigger home and more green space…
November 15, 2022
Renewable Cities’ response to proposed City of Vancouver motion: Transport Pricing Suspension. To view the PDF version of this letter click here. Re: Support for..
September 22, 2022
Local governments have an extraordinary opportunity to address the big, challenging priorities of British Columbians: Cost of Living Health Care Climate Change Housing Economy Safety..
June 23, 2022
BC’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy fails to address key extreme heat prevention recommendations.
June 7, 2022
As we approach the one-year anniversary of British Columbia’s record-setting heat dome, a new report by the BC Coroners Service, Extreme Heat and Human Mortality:..
May 30, 2022
Engaging building and local government stakeholders on overcoming barriers to prefabrication and mass timber construction.
May 16, 2022
On May 18, 2022, Vancouver City Council is considering the Broadway Plan, an ambitious plan to guide the next 30 years of growth along the..
March 24, 2022
A course correction for Metro 2050 Regional Growth Strategy: ensure policies support a vision for a sustainable, low carbon, climate resilient region.
January 31, 2022
Thought leaders on climate and cities share their high priority climate actions for 2022.
January 28, 2022
New project aims to characterize and solve the biggest local government barriers to mid-rise, mass timber construction: land use policies.
January 27, 2022
Renewable Cities recommends a course correction on sustainable land use in Metro Vancouver.
January 26, 2022
The proposed Making HOME policy has the potential to contribute to multiple city priorities: climate action, affordability, congestion management, neighbourhood revitalization and resilience.
December 22, 2021
In 2021, Renewable Cities advised local, provincial and federal governments on low-cost, high-impact climate policies to support the urban energy transition.
December 1, 2021
Without better land use, there will be more fossil fuel cars and congestion on our roads in 2030 than today.
November 9, 2021
The City of Vancouver must be commended for courageously considering the removal of barriers to low rise rental and commercial along major arterials in low..
November 2, 2021
Renewable Cities policy review: While there are some bumpy sections, B.C.’s updated climate plan includes destinations that should attract national and global attention in helping confront local and global crisis.
June 1, 2021
Canada’s long-term infrastructure vision should be built around ten shared, interrelated priorities that respond to social, economic and environmental challenges.
February 10, 2021
Renewable Cities provides analysis for the BC Government on setting sectoral targets for emissions reductions.
January 19, 2021
A new low carbon innovation centre aimed at accelerating urban climate action is coming to Metro Vancouver.
January 6, 2021
Renewable Cities’ submission on B.C.’s proposed ZEV Act regulations.
November 24, 2020
A resilient recovery roadmap for climate action in cities.
November 16, 2020
Renewable Cities urges Vancouver City Councillors to support the Climate Emergency Action Plan.
November 3, 2020
Renewable Cities offers support and considerations for Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.
October 29, 2020
Building complete, compact rural and urban communities in B.C. is essential for ensuring a resilient, prosperous and equitable future. Compact development reduces GHG emissions, minimizes..
September 1, 2020
B.C.’s housing and demography mismatch presents challenges, but also massive, untapped opportunities.
July 22, 2020
Renewable Cities makes policy recommendations for affordable, low carbon housing solutions.
February 27, 2020
Bus Electrification is a prudent investment for cutting carbon, dirty diesel air pollution and upwards pressure on transit fares. However, TransLink must move beyond technical fixes to cost effectively cut carbon and congestion across the region.
December 18, 2019
Thank you for joining us on our journey in 2019 as we helped accelerate the transition to renewable, resilient, restorative cities.
December 10, 2019
To meet our climate targets, it’s essential for the incoming government to link permanent transit infrastructure funding to a commitment for municipalities to plan smart, compact communities.
November 29, 2019
Renewable Cities executive director Alex Boston says it’s time to rethink B.C.’s ferry system to make it more climate-friendly.
November 25, 2019
Watch a recording of the session Electrifying Personal Transportation – Insights from Leading Jurisdictions at the Global Grid Forum 2019
October 18, 2019
The Coalition for Urban Transitions has released a new report highlighting the value of compact, connected and clean cities: Climate Emergency, Urban Opportunity.
October 18, 2019
Renewable Cities partnered with Edison Electric Institute and the Dutch Consulate to bring some of the world’s most advanced jurisdictions in transportation electrification to Vancouver, BC.
August 27, 2019
Renewable Cities supports FCM’s call for improved transit funding, along with a requirement for linking transit infrastructure to sustainable land use.
August 26, 2019
EVENT UPDATE: Elected officials moved the low carbon agenda forward at the Climate Caucus Summit in Vancouver, BC.
June 6, 2019
A climate crisis is upon us and cities are stepping up to tackle it—but they can’t do it without support at state, provincial, and national levels. Alex Boston and Gregor Robertson make the case for collaboration.
May 23, 2019
When California formulated the most aggressive climate change action plan in the United States, it reflected the need for close coordination between the state and its 540 local governments and state investment in local action.
May 22, 2019
Transit-oriented development is an essential component in any sustainable communities toolkit for urban areas. Mike McKeever shares his top 10 “must-do’s” in this guest post.
April 29, 2019
Home to a 200,000 vehicle fleet, a dense charging network and innovative policies, the European nation is a world leader in adopting zero-emission vehicles. Guest post by Sonja Munnix.
April 26, 2019
Vancouver is poised to chart a path demonstrating the intensity of effort required to avoid the most serious consequences of climate change.
February 12, 2019
A comprehensive approach to policy can leverage the strengths of each individual level of government.
January 16, 2019
Accelerating the Renewable City Strategy is an investment into a climate resilient, cost-effective and equitable future.
January 10, 2019
Urban energy leaders share reflections and outlook for energy efficient, renewable cities.
January 9, 2019
An overview of recent international progress and obstacles to be overcome.
December 5, 2018
New policies outlined by the Government of BC will empower community climate action.
November 26, 2018
TransLink’s renewable energy strategy could be a template for bus fleets throughout the province.
November 13, 2018
How can national, subnational and local governments collaborate on the clean energy transition? | May 29–30, 2019
November 8, 2018
We suggest minimum residential and job density thresholds, along with targets for greenhouse gas reductions.
November 6, 2018
It has taken a decade to get all three levels of government on board for a new rapid transit deal for Metro Vancouver.
November 6, 2018
What can we learn from two transit authorities transitioning to 100% RE? | Nov. 28, 2018
November 5, 2018
Which Canadian local governments have taken steps towards 100% RE?
October 11, 2018
If TransLink’s precedent-setting work can be leveraged, we have an opportunity to cut costs and pollution in communities throughout B.C.
October 5, 2018
TransLink’s renewables strategy will cut costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
September 17, 2018
Top local government highlights from San Francisco’s international gathering.
September 4, 2018
Clean transportation and efficient buildings are key to affordability, health and climate.
July 10, 2018
Leading local governments to discuss the implementation of 100% RE on September 14 in San Francisco.
June 25, 2018
SFU’s Faculty of Environment and Renewable Cities to reconvene online course beginning fall 2018.
June 13, 2018
This initiative will help build the capacity of B.C. local governments to generate renewable natural gas.
May 28, 2018
Join us on June 15 for the launch of a new collaborative research project to explore options for local government RNG production. | Jun. 15, 2018
April 9, 2018
One of Canada’s biggest and most stubborn emissions sources is personal transportation. Appropriately, one of the biggest infrastructure envelopes is public transit.
March 28, 2018
With Claudia Kemfert, Head of Department of Energy, Transportation, and Environment at DIW Berlin. | Apr. 12, 2018
March 18, 2018
Before good progress can be made, we need to stop thinking in silos and bring all three levels of government to table.
March 6, 2018
A conversation with Ethan Zindler, Head of Americas for Bloomberg New Energy Finance. | Mar. 13, 2018
February 28, 2018
This project engaged all three levels of government to better coordinate climate and energy policy.
February 22, 2018
A conversation with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for British Columbia. | Feb. 9, 2018
February 21, 2018
There are a wide range of hidden housing solutions on single-family lots: secondary suites; stratification of character homes; laneway suites; and laneway stratas.
January 10, 2018
A review of global trends and developments and a thought leaders’ outlook for 2018.
December 19, 2017
From Global Learning Forum 2017 to COP23, and everything between, see what the team accomplished.
November 9, 2017
Cities would be wise to keep people at the centre of the urban and transportation planning.
November 5, 2017
Without a history of striving for challenging goals, Vancouver wouldn’t be the city it is today.
October 26, 2017
Three cities in British Columbia have committed to phasing out fossil fuels by 2050.
October 4, 2017
320 participants from around the world came together to discuss the urban energy transition.
September 11, 2017
This event represented the 2nd gathering of North American cities committed to 100% RE.
July 27, 2017
New SFU Faculty of Environment online course will teach renewable energy transition strategies.
July 5, 2017
250 cities in the United States made an aspirational commitment to 100% renewable energy.
May 20, 2017
Representatives from over 100 different municipalities converged to discuss the urban renewable energy transition.
May 4, 2017
Vancouver’s goal is consistent with the B.C. Government’s aim to make buildings ready for net zero emissions by 2032.
May 1, 2017
From an incredible group of people, including implementers and global thinkers, to cities with vanguard targets. And more!
December 20, 2016
100% renewable energy developments and highlights from Renewable Cities’ latest year of work.
October 3, 2016
Leaders from municipalities, the private sector, NGOs, utilities, the research community, and First Nations will gather to discuss 100% RE.
September 26, 2016
20 cities from across the US and Canada came together to discuss the path forward on renewable energy.
August 22, 2016
British Columbia’s capital becomes the second city in the province to aim for 100% renewable energy.
August 12, 2016
Vancouver’s new Zero Emission Building Plan represents this exact shift.
July 20, 2016
Our dialogue event brought together 20 cities to help advance the urban energy transition.
July 4, 2016
How can the private sector help cities deliver on the promise of the Paris Agreement?
June 29, 2016
100 policy-makers and experts gathered to develop solutions for Vancouver and New York City.
June 28, 2016
Cities need supportive policies, resources, and coordination for the urban energy transition.
June 23, 2016
Oxford is now the second local government in Canada with a comprehensive 100% RE plan.
May 17, 2016
Urban energy leaders are invited to participate in Global Learning Forum 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
May 10, 2016
We caught up with Global Learning Forum alumni for an update and to get their thoughts on renewables.
April 7, 2016
We support an ambitious Climate Leadership Plan that promotes renewables and energy efficiency.
April 4, 2016
This East Vancouver building is a solar, financing, and electric vehicle pioneer.
March 7, 2016
These international dialogues examined how cities are thinking about the transition to 100% renewable energy.
February 22, 2016
Join us for two events at GLOBE 2016: Zero Emissions, Big Business and the Renewable Energy Challenge.
January 25, 2016
We’re pleased to present a number of outcome materials from our program’s launch event, the Global Learning Forum, which was held in Vancouver, BC from May 13-15…
January 8, 2016
Renewable Cities officially launched in 2015 and we’re proud of our accomplishments, locally and internationally.
November 26, 2015
In co-operation with other levels of government, Canadian cities can achieve significant new emissions reductions that go well beyond what Canada has already pledged.
November 25, 2015
Our team will be facilitating a dialogue with a diverse group of world cities at the UN climate talks in Paris.
November 10, 2015
With the Renewable City Strategy in place, residents, the City, and taxpayers will be able to capitalize on a number of energy-saving benefits.
November 5, 2015
The Renewable City Strategy charts a course for the City of Vancouver to move past fossil fuels by 2050, community-wide.
November 4, 2015
Vancouver’s strategy can help to deliver on that need while paying dividends to locals in the form of energy savings, cleaner air, and green jobs.
September 10, 2015
The annual World Future Council forum brings together leading thinkers and researchers working towards regenerative cities.
August 19, 2015
The purpose of this dialogue is to bring together key city staff and thinkers to develop criteria for 100% renewable cities.
May 29, 2015
Over a year of scoping, consultations with partners, and research has fed into our program’s development.
May 8, 2015
Going green in this way isn’t just good for the planet, it is also good for the regional economy.
May 1, 2015
Shifting to 100-per-cent renewable energy is possible and a crucial step toward achieving climate security.
January 15, 2015
Michael Small is the former Canadian High Commissioner to Australia and brings decades of policy and diplomatic experience.