SFU’s Renewable Cities is working with the B.C. government to engage all municipalities and other stakeholders to increase mass timber understanding and explore key barriers that might exist at the local level. 

We are bridging the chasm between climate action and affordability with solutions that cost effectively take advantage of immense under-utilized assets across our communities.

Renewable Cities is exploring opportunities to reducing B.C.’s emissions through more equitable transport and less car-reliant land uses.

Renewable Cities is working to identify options for low carbon, affordable housing on underutilized, public and non-profit land in B.C.

Our focus is to establish sustainable urban land use as a central climate action strategy with local and senior governments to deliver on GHG reduction targets, reduce vulnerability to climate impacts and solve related urgent problems.

Timeline: Winter 2022 – Present

Renewable Cities and SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue are supporting the development of a new low carbon innovation centre to accelerate urban climate solutions across Metro Vancouver through research, capacity building and innovative financial tools.

Timeline: Fall 2020 – Winter 2022

This collaborative research initiative will help build the capacity of B.C. local governments to generate renewable natural gas (RNG).

Timeline: Spring 2018 – Winter 2022

Held in Vancouver, British Columbia and streamed online, this regular public dialogue series addresses urban climate and energy issues.

• Register for upcoming events
• Watch dialogue recordings on YouTube

Timeline: Winter 2018 – Spring 2019

How can national, subnational and local governments enable the clean energy transition? Join our conference, held in parallel with the 2019 Clean Energy Ministerial.

Date: May 29–30, 2019

This interdisciplinary online course helps to provide the knowledge and perspective needed to lead a municipal-level renewable energy transition. Co-delivered with Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Environment.

Timeline: Fall 2017 – Fall 2018

These annual international dialogue workshops bring city officials together to share knowledge and advance implementation of 100% RE.

• North American Dialogue 3: San Francisco (September 2018)
• North American Dialogue 2: Denver (July 2017)
• North American Dialogue 1: San Francisco (July 2016)

Timeline: Spring 2016 – Fall 2018

Our forums have convened a combined 600 delegates from 20 different countries to discuss the transition to 100% renewable energy in cities.

• Global Learning Forum 2017
• Global Learning Forum 2015

Timeline: Spring 2014 – Fall 2017

This international research and dialogue partnership developed a practical toolkit for a sustainable transition to 100% RE.

• 100% RE Building Blocks (May 2017)
• Kassel International Dialogue on 100% Renewable Energy (Fall 2015)

Timeline: Fall 2015 – Spring 2017

Renewable Cities participates in United National Climate Conferences in collaboration with a range of partners.

• COP23 Dialogue—The Local Dimension of NDCs: 100% Renewable Energy
• COP22 Event—100% RE for 1.5°C
• COP21 Dialogue—100% Renewable Energy in Cities

Timeline: Summer 2015 – Fall 2017

Vancouver was the first city in North America to adopt a comprehensive 100% RE strategy. Renewable Cities both helped to initiate and supports this work.

• Mapping enabling policies for Vancouver’s 100% renewable energy strategy
• Initiating Vancouver’s 100% renewable energy commitment and plan

Timeline: Winter 2015 – Fall 2018