Canada has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Many communities across the country are leading the charge and have made a local commitment to this goal and are now defining a pathway to achieving it. But what are these pathways in practical terms? What are the actions required for moving towards this net-zero future? To what extent does net zero mean reducing existing emissions, versus capturing and storing GHGs? How do we ensure that the transition to net zero is equitable and inclusive? The idea of achieving net zero seems to raise as many questions as it does answers. Join this session, where examples, promising practices, and lessons learned from communities across the country are shared.

Speakers and moderators for this session include:

• Jonathan Arnold, Clean Growth Director (Acting), Canadian Climate Institute
• Megan Meaney, Executive Director, ICLEI Canada
• Shannon Miedema, Director of Environment & Climate Change, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Steve Young, Climate and Environmental Sustainability Specialist, City of Victoria
  

Check back soon for updates as speakers for this session are finalized.

Digital Public Square’s team has been working with communities around the world to connect people with big ideas and meaningful action that can raise the quality of life for everyone. Whether it’s supporting equitable access to life saving medicine or how to better connect everyone in a diverse neighbourhood on what matters to them — digital engagement unlocks barriers to participation. Join us for a session that will focus on how to co-create an opportunity to engage whole communities on taking climate action with a proven approach that emphasizes privacy while maximizing inclusive participation.

Speakers and moderators for this session include:

• Martin Canning, Executive Director, Smart Cities, Evergreen
• Ewa Jackson, Managing Director, ICLEI Canada
• Farhaan Ladhani, CEO and Co-Founder, Digital Public Square

One of the big opportunities for adaptation lies in investing in the protection or enhancement of nature to strengthen people’s resilience. Known today as nature-based solutions, these interventions can be extremely cost-effective, either as a substitute or a complement to traditional infrastructure. Working with nature can also provide additional co-benefits, not the least of which being storing carbon rather than causing emissions. Not only do we need more investment in these types of solutions, but we also need to enable bigger scale interventions. Funding for these types of projects needs to be commensurate with this scale. Join this session, as panelists explore the opportunities relate to nature-based solutions and how we can apply them at scale across the country.

Speakers and moderators for this session include:

• Laniel Bateman, Director of Climate Adaptation Policy, Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Roy Brooke, Executive Director, Municipal Natural Assets Initiative
• Dr. Chaeri Kim, Postdoctoral Fellow, Adaptation to Climate Change Team, Simon Fraser University
• Sheri Young, Climate Change and Energy Specialist, Town of Okotoks

Check back soon for updates as speakers for this session are finalized.

Bike around the city to learn about Victoria’s Neighbour Hubs! These Hubs are designed and built by Building Resilient Neighbourhoods, Neighbour Lab, the City of Victoria and residents that live in the area to inspire connection, resilience and community. With the threat of climate change, earthquakes, and future health crises, community mutual aid is vital for strengthening emergency preparedness. Each Neighbour Hub was co-created with area residents to best reflect the vision and needs of each community. The Hubs are equipped with accessible seating, storage for emergency supplies, solar-powered charging stations and bulletin boards that include emergency information.

This Session on the Move will be led by:

• Tanya Patterson, Emergency Program Coordinator, City of Victoria

Interested in equitable food systems while cultivating community? This tour will explore Victoria’s resilient local food network and hear from champions including small scale commercial urban food producers, community garden coordinators, soil health and gardening education experts, and organizations supporting communities that face barriers to accessing fresh, healthy, affordable food. Topics highlighted will include innovative programs like the City’s award-winning Get Growing, Victoria! and regional initiatives like Growing Together. Site visits will include a tour of an urban farm, a community garden, the Compost Education Centre, and regional food distribution hubs (Food Redistribution Centre, the South Island Farm Hub), and Kitchen Connect!

This Session on the Move will be led by:

• Alex Harnard, Get Growing Victoria!

Join the City’s Transportation Team on a multi-modal tour to explore transportation infrastructure, transit-oriented development, and placemaking features within the downtown streetscape. Learn about the City’s efforts to support safe and accessible, active transportation, traffic signal technologies, transit initiatives, shared mobility and EV charging. Sites will include City Hall, Chinatown, Old Town and transportation hubs, including the downtown ferry terminal and harbour airport. Participants will get a chance to experience the City by bike, walking and public transit with stops along the way to discuss mobility trends, pressures and opportunities in the growing capital city.

This Session on the Move will be led by:

• Sarah Webb, Sarah Webb, Manager, Transportation Planning & Development, City of Victoria

Join the City’s Zero Waste Team on a guided bus tour showcasing Victoria’s momentum towards a circular economy. Learn how clever bin design, labeling and new sensor technology is helping to divert waste from the city’s streets and parks. Visit a local deconstruction site where experts in salvage and reuse are taking apart a building piece-by-piece to preserve old growth lumber. Finally, tour the Food Rescue Distribution Centre to see how fresh food is being rescued and re-distributed throughout the region, feeding over 35,000 food-insecure households.

This Session on the Move will be led by:

• Rhiannon Moore, Zero Waste Outreach Coordinator, City of Victoria

Victoria is a hotbed of game changing climate-friendly new construction and retrofit projects of all types. It is also a place that is considered “the cradle of the craft beer revolution” where good beer is very much a part of the city’s social fabric. Join Victoria’s Community Energy Specialists (and special guests) to visit and learn about some notable buildings as well as supportive policies and programs that are transforming both the new and existing building stock. The tour will conclude at a selected craft brewery where attendees will have the opportunity to sample some of the town’s best ales and get to mingle with other attendees.

This Session on the Move will be led by:

• John Ho, Community Energy Specialist, Energy & Climate Action, City of Victoria
• Derek Decandle, Community Energy Specialist, City of Victoria

Victoria’s nature-based solutions, including the urban forest and green stormwater infrastructure, are sustainably and simultaneously adapting to and mitigating climate change. Explore numerous examples throughout the community where practical action is being taken to restore, protect, and enhance the urban water cycle. Discussions will also include the tensions between preservation and development. Join this urban nature session-on-the-move to learn and have meaningful conversations together.

This Session on the Move will be led by:

• Brianne Trent, City of Victoria

Join us for a ‘One Planet’ tour to meet amazing students, teachers and program providers in our region leading the change. We start at Artemis Place, a special education Independent school offering a nurturing community for students who haven’t found success in other school settings. The team will share how One Planet Principles are being embedded in their learning and work. Then take a tour with Reynolds Secondary School students who will showcase their courtyard garden & microfarm, clothes swap program and nature conservation work. Finish at the beautiful Prospect Lake site of Power to Be, a non-profit creating access to nature for people of all ages and abilities with a focus on individuals, community groups, and families living with physical, financial and social barriers. Tour their amazing new innovative, inclusive and sustainable Gateway to Nature development which celebrates culture, spirit and place, while learning more about (and sampling snacks from!) our broader One Planet community, advancing sustainability in the region.

This Session on the Move will be led by:

• Rebecca Newlove, Manager of Sustainability, District of Saanich