Articles & Media

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..

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…

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..

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..

BC’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy fails to address key extreme heat prevention recommendations.

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:..

Engaging building and local government stakeholders on overcoming barriers to prefabrication and mass timber construction.

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..

A course correction for Metro 2050 Regional Growth Strategy: ensure policies support a vision for a sustainable, low carbon, climate resilient region.

Thought leaders on climate and cities share their high priority climate actions for 2022.

New project aims to characterize and solve the biggest local government barriers to mid-rise, mass timber construction: land use policies.

Renewable Cities recommends a course correction on sustainable land use in Metro Vancouver.

The proposed Making HOME policy has the potential to contribute to multiple city priorities: climate action, affordability, congestion management, neighbourhood revitalization and resilience.

In 2021, Renewable Cities advised local, provincial and federal governments on low-cost, high-impact climate policies to support the urban energy transition.

Without better land use, there will be more fossil fuel cars and congestion on our roads in 2030 than today.

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..

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.

Canada’s long-term infrastructure vision should be built around ten shared, interrelated priorities that respond to social, economic and environmental challenges.

Renewable Cities provides analysis for the BC Government on setting sectoral targets for emissions reductions.

A new low carbon innovation centre aimed at accelerating urban climate action is coming to Metro Vancouver.

Renewable Cities’ submission on B.C.’s proposed ZEV Act regulations.

A resilient recovery roadmap for climate action in cities.

Renewable Cities urges Vancouver City Councillors to support the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Renewable Cities offers support and considerations for Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.

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..

B.C.’s housing and demography mismatch presents challenges, but also massive, untapped opportunities.

Renewable Cities makes policy recommendations for affordable, low carbon housing solutions.

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.

Thank you for joining us on our journey in 2019 as we helped accelerate the transition to renewable, resilient, restorative cities.

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.

Renewable Cities executive director Alex Boston says it’s time to rethink B.C.’s ferry system to make it more climate-friendly.

Watch a recording of the session Electrifying Personal Transportation – Insights from Leading Jurisdictions at the Global Grid Forum 2019

The Coalition for Urban Transitions has released a new report highlighting the value of compact, connected and clean cities: Climate Emergency, Urban Opportunity.

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.

Renewable Cities supports FCM’s call for improved transit funding, along with a requirement for linking transit infrastructure to sustainable land use.

EVENT UPDATE: Elected officials moved the low carbon agenda forward at the Climate Caucus Summit in Vancouver, BC.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vancouver is poised to chart a path demonstrating the intensity of effort required to avoid the most serious consequences of climate change.

A comprehensive approach to policy can leverage the strengths of each individual level of government.

Accelerating the Renewable City Strategy is an investment into a climate resilient, cost-effective and equitable future.

Urban energy leaders share reflections and outlook for energy efficient, renewable cities.

An overview of recent international progress and obstacles to be overcome.

New policies outlined by the Government of BC will empower community climate action.

TransLink’s renewable energy strategy could be a template for bus fleets throughout the province.

How can national, subnational and local governments collaborate on the clean energy transition? | May 29–30, 2019

We suggest minimum residential and job density thresholds, along with targets for greenhouse gas reductions.

It has taken a decade to get all three levels of government on board for a new rapid transit deal for Metro Vancouver.

What can we learn from two transit authorities transitioning to 100% RE? | Nov. 28, 2018

Which Canadian local governments have taken steps towards 100% RE?

If TransLink’s precedent-setting work can be leveraged, we have an opportunity to cut costs and pollution in communities throughout B.C.

TransLink’s renewables strategy will cut costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Top local government highlights from San Francisco’s international gathering.

Clean transportation and efficient buildings are key to affordability, health and climate.

Leading local governments to discuss the implementation of 100% RE on September 14 in San Francisco.

SFU’s Faculty of Environment and Renewable Cities to reconvene online course beginning fall 2018.

This initiative will help build the capacity of B.C. local governments to generate renewable natural gas.

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

One of Canada’s biggest and most stubborn emissions sources is personal transportation. Appropriately, one of the biggest infrastructure envelopes is public transit.

With Claudia Kemfert, Head of Department of Energy, Transportation, and Environment at DIW Berlin. | Apr. 12, 2018

Before good progress can be made, we need to stop thinking in silos and bring all three levels of government to table.

A conversation with Ethan Zindler, Head of Americas for Bloomberg New Energy Finance. | Mar. 13, 2018

This project engaged all three levels of government to better coordinate climate and energy policy.

A conversation with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for British Columbia. | Feb. 9, 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.

A review of global trends and developments and a thought leaders’ outlook for 2018.

From Global Learning Forum 2017 to COP23, and everything between, see what the team accomplished.

Alex is a nationally recognized and respected professional with deep expertise in community energy planning.

Cities would be wise to keep people at the centre of the urban and transportation planning.

Without a history of striving for challenging goals, Vancouver wouldn’t be the city it is today.

Three cities in British Columbia have committed to phasing out fossil fuels by 2050.

320 participants from around the world came together to discuss the urban energy transition.

This event represented the 2nd gathering of North American cities committed to 100% RE.

New SFU Faculty of Environment online course will teach renewable energy transition strategies.

250 cities in the United States made an aspirational commitment to 100% renewable energy.

Representatives from over 100 different municipalities converged to discuss the urban renewable energy transition.

Vancouver’s goal is consistent with the B.C. Government’s aim to make buildings ready for net zero emissions by 2032.

From an incredible group of people, including implementers and global thinkers, to cities with vanguard targets. And more!

100% renewable energy developments and highlights from Renewable Cities’ latest year of work.

Leaders from municipalities, the private sector, NGOs, utilities, the research community, and First Nations will gather to discuss 100% RE.

20 cities from across the US and Canada came together to discuss the path forward on renewable energy.

British Columbia’s capital becomes the second city in the province to aim for 100% renewable energy.

Vancouver’s new Zero Emission Building Plan represents this exact shift.

Our dialogue event brought together 20 cities to help advance the urban energy transition.

How can the private sector help cities deliver on the promise of the Paris Agreement?

100 policy-makers and experts gathered to develop solutions for Vancouver and New York City.

Cities need supportive policies, resources, and coordination for the urban energy transition.

Oxford is now the second local government in Canada with a comprehensive 100% RE plan.

Urban energy leaders are invited to participate in Global Learning Forum 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

We caught up with Global Learning Forum alumni for an update and to get their thoughts on renewables.

We support an ambitious Climate Leadership Plan that promotes renewables and energy efficiency.

This East Vancouver building is a solar, financing, and electric vehicle pioneer.

These international dialogues examined how cities are thinking about the transition to 100% renewable energy.

Join us for two events at GLOBE 2016: Zero Emissions, Big Business and the Renewable Energy Challenge.

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…

Renewable Cities officially launched in 2015 and we’re proud of our accomplishments, locally and internationally.

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.

Our team will be facilitating a dialogue with a diverse group of world cities at the UN climate talks in Paris.

With the Renewable City Strategy in place, residents, the City, and taxpayers will be able to capitalize on a number of energy-saving benefits.

The Renewable City Strategy charts a course for the City of Vancouver to move past fossil fuels by 2050, community-wide.

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.

The annual World Future Council forum brings together leading thinkers and researchers working towards regenerative cities.

The purpose of this dialogue is to bring together key city staff and thinkers to develop criteria for 100% renewable cities.

Over a year of scoping, consultations with partners, and research has fed into our program’s development.

Going green in this way isn’t just good for the planet, it is also good for the regional economy.

Shifting to 100-per-cent renewable energy is possible and a crucial step toward achieving climate security.

Michael Small is the former Canadian High Commissioner to Australia and brings decades of policy and diplomatic experience.