CUI and city builders from across the country exchanged stories and best practices on rebuilding communities from the ground up, building local economies, climate resilience and social equity at the neighbourhood scale. Successes from the My Main Street and Healthy Communities initiatives were highlighted, showing the success of multi-solving approaches that include place-making, street activations and other interventions to strengthen the essential fabric of communities: our Main Streets. Participants brought their best examples of innovation and success, and abiding challenges to crowd source solutions!

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Gabriela Masfarre Pinto, Community Engagement Lead, Canadian Urban Institute
• Gay Stephenson, Community Partnership Lead, Canadian Urban Institute — Moderator

Presentation and notes:

• Groundtruthing the city: My main street — Presentation
  
• Groundtruthing the city: My main street — Notes 

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. In this session, examples, promising practices, and lessons learned from communities across the country were shared.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Jonathan Arnold, Clean Growth Director (Acting), Canadian Climate Institute — Moderator
• Sara MacRae, Manager of Climate and Energy, Dufferin County
• 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
  

No presentations slides were used during this interactive session.

More and more, there is a growing need to engage communities differently. But what does this mean? Who are we trying to reach and how will we reach them? Whether it’s supporting equitable access to services or how to better connect everyone in a diverse neighbourhood on what matters to them — digital engagement unlocks barriers to participation. In this sessions, ICLEI, Evergreen, and Digital Public Square focused on how to co-create an opportunity to engage whole communities in placemaking with a proven approach that emphasizes privacy while maximizing inclusive participation.

Speakers and moderators for this session include:

• Ewa Jackson, Managing Director, ICLEI Canada — Facilitator
• Hiba Kariem, Climate Change Project Coordinator, ICLEI Canada – Facilitator
• Farhaan Ladhani, CEO and Co-Founder, Digital Public Square
• Lois Lindsay, Chief Program Officer, Evergreen
• Adriana Montes, Program Officer, Evergreen
  

Presentations: 

• Community reflect in the Annex, Toronto engagement results — Presented by Farhaan Ladhani, CEO and Co-Founder, Digital Public Square
• Conversations on the role of digital in building more inclusive communities — Presented by Lois Lindsay Chief Program Officer, Evergreen 

As the extreme weather events of 2021 have demonstrated, climate change is impacting BC now and will continue to do so in the future. The Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy (CPAS) lays out actions in pathways to help prepare BC for the changing climate. This session introduced the pathways and actions in the CPAS that are most relevant to communities, including expanded community emergency preparedness funds, community wildfire risk reduction programs, and expanded hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment toolkit.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Charlie Gordon, Senior Policy Analyst, Climate Action Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
• Tina Neale, Director, Climate Risk Management, Climate Action Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
• Dominique Sigg, Manager, Climate Adaptation Governance and Strategy, Climate Action Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
• Emma Squires, Senior Policy Analyst, Climate Action Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
• Johanna Wolf, Manager, Climate Risk Programs and Implementation, Climate Action Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Presentation:

• British Columbia’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy 

Interested in equitable food systems while cultivating community? This tour explored Victoria’s resilient local food network. Participants heard from local food 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 included innovative programs like the City’s award-winning Get Growing, Victoria! and regional initiatives like Growing Together. Site visits included 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 was be led by:

• Alex Harned, Get Growing Victoria!

Presentation:

• ‘Sprouting conversations: Food, land, and social connections – Presented by Ariel Reyes Antuan, Founder of IYE Creative

The City of Victoria’s Transportation Team led this multi-modal tour to explore transportation infrastructure, transit-oriented development, and placemaking features within the downtown streetscape. Participants learned about the City’s efforts to support safe and accessible, active transportation, traffic signal technologies, transit initiatives, shared mobility and EV charging. Sites included City Hall, Chinatown, Old Town and transportation hubs, including the downtown ferry terminal and harbour airport. Participants got 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 was led by:

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

No presentations slides were used during this interactive session.

The City of Victoria’s Zero Waste Team guided this tour to showcase Victoria’s momentum towards a circular economy.  Participants visited a local deconstruction site where experts in salvage and reuse are taking apart a building piece-by-piece to preserve old growth lumber. Next, they visited Ecologyst, a locally owned and operated clothing company to explore tangible examples of the circular economy in action while sharing about their supply chain evolution, degrowth and carbon emissions reduction over the last few years. Participants ended the tour by learning how clever bin design, labeling and new sensor technology is helping to divert waste from the city’s streets and parks. 

This Session on the Move was led by:

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

No presentations slides were used during this interactive session.

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. Participants joined 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 concluded at a selected craft brewery where attendees will had the opportunity to sample some of the town’s best ales and get to mingle with other attendees.

This Session on the Move was led by:

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

No presentations slides were used during this interactive session.

Victoria’s nature-based solutions, including the urban forest and green stormwater infrastructure, are sustainably and simultaneously adapting to and mitigating climate change. Participants explored numerous examples throughout the community where practical action is being taken to restore, protect, and enhance the urban water cycle. Discussions also included the tensions between preservation and development. This urban nature tour provided participants with the opportunity to learn and have meaningful conversations together.

This Session on the Move was led by:

• Brianne Tenk, Stormwater Management Specialist, City of Victoria

No presentations slides were used during this interactive session.

Participants met amazing students, teachers and program providers in the Victoria region leading the change. The tour started 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 shared how One Planet Principles are being embedded in their learning and work. Participants then took a tour with Reynolds Secondary School students who showcased their courtyard garden & microfarm, clothes swap program and nature conservation work. The final stop was 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. Participants toured their amazing new innovative, inclusive and sustainable Gateway to Nature development which celebrates culture, spirit and place, and learned more about (and sampled snacks from!) the broader One Planet community, advancing sustainability in the region.

This Session on the Move was led by:

• Rebecca Newlove, Manager of Sustainability, District of Saanich 

No presentations slides were used during this interactive session.

Local governments have an important role in meeting the B.C’s legislated climate targets and are at the forefront of mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures. The new CleanBC Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) provides local governments and Modern Treaty Nations with predictable and stable funding to support the implementation of local climate action that reduces emissions and prepares communities for the impacts of a changing climate.

LGCAP supports local climate action to help B.C. achieve provincial climate goals outlined in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 and the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. This session consisted a presentation from the B.C.’s Climate Action Secretariat and opportunity to discuss the CleanBC, Local Government Climate Action program (LG-CAP). Discussions focused on Climate infrastructure and climate lens application, Clean Transportation Action Plan (CTAP) and efficiency-first model specific to local governments, and LGCAP Reporting and what local governments in B.C are up to.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Dave Aharonian, Senior Policy Analyst, BC Climate Action Secretariat,
  
• Yaheli Klein, Senior Policy Analyst, BC Climate Action Secretariat,
  
• Elizabeth Lytviak, Policy Analyst, BC Climate Action Secretariat
  
• Ken Porter, Manager, BC Climate Action Secretariat
  

Presentation:

• CleanBC local government climate action 

How are cities achieving both adaptation and mitigation goals simultaneously? This session explored how local governments and their partners are taking action on all aspects of climate change that both reduce GHG’s and increase resilience to our changing climate with a focus on how to capitalize on multisolving actions that addresses building resilience and decarbonization, among other sustainability goals. This action-oriented conversation inlcuded innovative opportunities to achieve multiple benefits and that leverage tight budgets can create more livable cities.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Ian Dessureault, Professional Environmental Advisor, City of Laval
• Jillian Hudgins, Environmental Strategist, City of Fredricton — Moderator
• Élène Levasseur, Research Coordinator, Researcher, Architecture Without Borders Quebec
• Kacia Tolsma, LCR Program Manager, ACT – Action on Climate Team, Simon Fraser University

Presentations:

• Developing knowledge on adaptation to increase community flood resilience — Presented by Élène Levasseur, Ph.D., Research Coordinator, Researcher, Architecture Without Borders Quebec
• Low carbon resilience: Climate action that multitasks — Presented by Kacia Tolsma, MRM, Low Carbon Resilience Program Manager, ACT, SFU
• Mitigate AND adapt: Advancing low carbon resilience — Presented by Ian Dessureault, Professional Environmental Advisor, City of Laval 

Communities across Canada have accessed the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) delivered by FCM over the past five years to develop tools, projects, plans and networks.  This World Café allowed participants to learn about some of the resources that remain available to help your community.  Municipal staff and partner organization experts who developed specific projects or tools were on hand to demonstrate, share experience and answer questions. 

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Sara Brown, CEO, Northwest Terrirtories Association of Communities (NWTAC)
• Montana Burgess, Executive Director, West Kootenay Community EcoSociety
• Devin Causley, Manager Capacity Building , Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, Federation of Canadian Municipalities — Moderator
• Ewa Jackson, Managing Director, ICLEI Canada
• Philip Kelly, Advisor, MCIP FCM
• Ben Koczwarski, Senior Lead for Asset Management, MAMP FCM
• Jarret Matanowitsch, Director of Planning and Building Services, District of Central Saanich
• Megan Meaney, Executive Director, ICLEI Canada
• Shannon Miedema, Director of Environment & Climate Change, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Matt Osler, Senior Project Engineer, City of Surrey
• Chloe Repka, Project Coordinator, ACT-SFU
• Luke Sales, Director of Planning, Town of Qualicum Beach 
• Rebecca Sivel, Project Manager, MCIP FCM
• Jacquie Taylor, Funding Manager, MCIP FCM
• Eric Timmins, Senior Lead, Projects, Quest Canada
• Maria Tomovic, Manager Capacity Development, GMF FCM

Presentation:

• Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) world café 

Resilient buildings can better withstand the stresses and shocks from climate change and earthquakes – maximizing the ability of people in the buildings, and the buildings themselves, to adapt, be prepared, and persevere. New resources are beginning to shed light on the strategies that need to be implemented to support more resilient new and existing buildings that work in tandem with supporting decarbonization. The recently launched Climate Ready Housing Design Guide is an editable toolkit that design teams can use to inform more climate resilient design of new or existing housing. Understanding that there are significant barriers to the effective implementation of climate resilient strategies in the building sector across the province, BC Housing and the Province of BC have also commissioned research on the barriers and enablers to realizing climate and seismic resilient buildings, and the findings will soon inform a toolkit for BC local governments.

This session offered an overview of these resources and provided participants with the opportunity to give their input on the barriers and enablers to advancing resilient buildings in their community as well as to hear about other community experiences through an interactive workshop.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Lisa Westerhoff, Principal, Integral Group
• Tamsin Mills, RPP, Nationally recognized specialist in climate resilience and adaptation
• Cariad Garratt, Principal, Pinna Sustainability
• Steve Roddick, Sustainability Consultant, Pinna Sustainability

Presentations:

• Climate-ready housing design guide & other BC Housing Research Centre Projects — Presented by Lisa Westerhoff, Principal, Integral Group
• Realizing resilient buildings (R2B) — Presented by Cariad Garratt, Principal, Pinna Sustainability Inc. 

Cities and the way they are designed are not gender-neutral. Only 20% of mayors around the world are women, and a majority of technical work and infrastructure design has been historically considered a male domain. The result is that cities have been designed by men, systemically neglecting the needs and lived experiences of women and gender diverse people. In this highly interactive session, through a scenario-based discussion, participants looked at challenges and opportunities to develop cities that work for everyone.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Don Alexander, Professor, Geography Department and Master of Community Planning Program, Vancouver Island University
• Laura Clark, Doctoral Candidate, Vancouver Island University
• Jenna Dutton, Senior Planner – Social Policy, City of Victoria
• Courtenay Miller, Masters Student, Vancouver Island University
• Olivia Moores, Doctoral Candidate, Vancouver Island University
• Rena Viehbeck, Climate Change Program Manager, ICLEI Canada — Moderator

Scenarios and resources:

• Designed by men for men — Scenarios
• Gender and city design — Resources 

Across Canada, extreme weather events – such as wildfires, flooding, heat waves, and storms – have caused billions of dollars in economic damages annually. Information on the economic consequences of climate change, as well as on the costs and benefits of adaptation interventions is increasingly being demanded by decision-makers at all scales. While of course the economic costs are of paramount importance, the costs to human health and well-being, as well as to the natural environment, must also be considered in order to allocate public resources for climate adaptation, and to ensure that these resources are directed towards the most efficient actions. This session brought together researchers and municipal practitioners and presented information on the tools and methodologies that can be used to understand the costs of climate change and the strategies of how to build a local business case for action.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Richard Boyd, Director, Research and Economics, All One Sky Foundation
• Mark Boysen, General Manager, Operations Department, Cowichan Valley Regional District — Moderator
• Ewa Jackson, Managing Director, ICLEI Canada
• Chad Park, Vice-president of Sustainability & Citizenship, Co-operators

Presentations:

• Financing climate adaptation: A collaborative, imaginative approach to funding climate-resilient infrastructure in communities across Canada — Presented by Chad Park, Vice-president of Sustainability & Citizenship, Co-operators
• The cost of doing nothing: Building a local business case for adaptation — Presented by Ewa Jackson, Managing Director, ICLEI Canada
• Understanding the economic impacts of climate impacts and adaptation: building case for action — Presented by Richard Boyd, Director, Research and Economics, All One Sky Foundation

The City of Vancouver continues to take progressive steps towards climate action. This session explored some of the projects and plans that this metropolitan city is undertaking and explore what lessons can be applied to other communities. Participants discussed how equity can be centered in their own communities to face the complex challenges we all face. Spotlighted projects included: responding to the social equity, economic, and ecological challenges posed by sea level rise and coastal flooding; preparing for extreme heat through strategic alignment and community-partnered action; citywide ecological frameworks, and; implementing a just transition for workers that aligns with climate policies.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Angela Danyluk Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Vancouver
• Emily Dunlop, Senior Planner, Planning, Policy & Environment,Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation 
• Tamsin Mills, Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Vancouver
• Cathy Pasion, Climate Policy Manager, City of Vancouver — Moderator
• Vanessa Sun, Coordinator, Economic Transformation, Vancouver Economic Commission

Presentations:

• Sea2City design challenge — Presented by Angela Danyluk Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Vancouver
• Vancouver Plan: Ecological vision — Presented by Emily Dunlop, Senior Planner, Planning, Policy & Environment,Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
• City of Vancouver: A learning journey for communities big and small — Presented by Tamsin Mills, Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Vancouver
• A just transition in Vancouver — Presented by Vanessa Sun, Coordinator, Economic Transformation, Vancouver Economic Commission 

Climate change response requires collaborative, community-based approaches where governments and non-government actors work together to reduce emissions, assess risks, co-produce plans, and take action. This session presented several case studies of cross-sector partnerships, including ingredients for success and key challenges, as well as the importance of equity in partnership planning.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Summer Formosa, Grant Writer and Project Coordinator, City of Victoria
• Devanshi Kukadia, Research and Communications Manager, Clean Air Partnership
• Lorenzo Magzul, Project Manager, Community Social Planning Council
• Raphael Shay, Manager – Sustainable Development, Sunshine Coast Regional District
• Kristie Signer, Climate Action Outreach Coordinator, City of Victoria
• Glenys Verhulst, Sustainability Planner, District of Saanich
• Robert Wilson, Climate Change Project Assistant, ICLEI Canada — Facilitator

Presentations:

• CSPC’s climate equity program — Presented by Lorenzo Magzul, Project Manager, Community Social Planning Council
• Collaboration for equity in climate action — Presented by Glenys Verhulst, Sustainability Planner, District of Saanich
• Using non-profits to deliver municipal climate action — Presented by Devanshi Kukadia, Research and Communications Manager, Clean Air Partnership

Climate change is happening now. As the globe continues to warm, extreme weather events will continue to threaten and impact communities, infrastructure and people worldwide and across Canada. To be resilient, people and their communities must be able to anticipate, accommodate, and positively adapt to or thrive amidst changing climate conditions and extreme weather events. The way we experience resilience differs by setting, facility, and neighbourhood. Due to a history of marginalization and disinvestment, Indigenous people, people of colour, immigrants, refugees, and lower-income populations experience increased exposure and sensitivity to climate hazards and a reduced capacity to adapt.

This session explored collaborative projects that are taking action to build stronger, safer, and more resilient neighbourhoods for everyone. Panelists presented promising practices of where these activities are taking place and share insights what is working and where there are still challenges to be addressed. Presented ideas were then be put into practice while participants worked with peers to develop neighbourhood-level actions to bring back to their communities.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Stacey Barter, Executive Director, Building Resilient Neighbourhoods
• Andrew Duffield, Director, Sustainable Development, City of Beaconsfield
• Trisha Henderson, Climate Action Officer, Town of Oakville
• Chris Hyde-Lay, Manager, Parks Services , Oak Bay — Moderator
• Dr. Stephen Sheppard, Professor at the University of British Columbia, Adjunct Professor at Nanjing University, Sustainability Research Fellow at Plymouth University, and Director of the University of British Columbia’s Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning research group

Presentations and group exercise:

• Oak Bay Coolkit Program: Engaging climate champions & residents in collective climate action at neighbourhood scale — Presented by Chris Hyde-Lay, Manager, Parks Services, Oak Bay and Dr. Stephen Sheppard, Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia
• Connect & prepare: Neighbours helping neighbours — Presented by Stacey Barter, Executive Director, Building Resilient Neighbourhoods
• Building climate change resilience through social cohesion — Presented by Andrew Duffield, Director, Sustainable Development, City of Beaconsfield
• Oakville ready: Ready to weather any storm — Presented by Trisha Henderson, Climate Action Officer, Town of Oakville
• Coolkit interactive session — Group Exercise and Moderated Discussion

Tackling GHG emissions from the transportation sector is key to reaching our net-zero goals. Transitioning to EVs, land-use planning, compact development and active transportation are all elements of a comprehensive approach to managing transportation emissions. In this session speakers helped frame both the problem and the opportunity and discussed the mechanisms local governments can use to address transportation challenges in the new post COVID reality.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Peter Whitelaw, Senior Planner, Renewable Cities
• Glenys Verhulst, Sustainability Planner, District of Saanich
• Sarah Webb, Manager, Transportation Planning & Development, City of Victoria

Presentations:

• Go Victoria! Advancing net zero transportation through mobility investments and land use policies in the City of Victoria — Presented by Sarah Webb, Manager, Transportation Planning & Development, City of Victoria
• Making the connection: Land use, transportation, climate, and more — Presented by Peter Whitelaw, Senior Planner, Renewable Cities
• Saanich community e-bike incentive pilot program — Presented by Glenys Verhulst, Sustainability Planner, District of Saanich

Not only is regional-scale climate mitigation and adaptation planning possible and effective, it is essential. At an annual Vancouver Island gathering of local elected officials in 2019, over 50 people met to discuss the threat of climate change to our local governments, communities, and First Nations. We asked, “What would it be like – and what would it take – to create a climate mitigation and adaptation plan for our entire region?” This interactive workshop offered the opportunity for participants to hear briefly from those involved in the collaborative climate planning work on Vancouver Island and the coast and to learn from each other about the opportunities, challenges and necessities of deep collaboration to address the climate and resilience issue with urgency.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Mayor Lisa Helps, City of Victoria
• Mayor Michelle Staples, City of Duncan
• Maya Chorobik, Director of Climate Leadership, Community Energy Association
• Felicia Fischer, Planner, Alderhill Planning
  
• Dr. Karena (Kara) Shaw, Associate Professor in the School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria

Presentation:

• Collaborative, region wide climate and resilience planning: A wise practices guide

Since March 2020 CUI has worked with partners across Canada to host a national program called CUIxLOCAL. Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, Windsor and Halifax were the first to host discussions and events that brought together diverse perspectives and experience, to discuss what was working, what wasn’t, and what was next for their cities. Reports from each are laying the foundations for a new urban agenda – what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next for Canadian cities? With key community partners including Chambers of Commerce and public libraries, local governments and dynamic community-based organizations, how can we mobilize cross sectoral, diverse partnerships that bring local challenges and solutions to the attention of provincial and federal policy makers and funders?

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, Executive Director, Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEHS)
• Gabriela Masfarre Pinto, Community Engagement Lead, Canadian Urban Institute
• Maureen Sawa, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Victoria Public Library
• Dr. Michael Schwandt, Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health
• Gay Stephenson, Community Partnership Lead, Canadian Urban Institute — Moderator
• Kathy Whitcher, Executive Director, UDI Capital Region, Urban Development Institute

Presentation and notes:

• Building the new urban agenda: Listening to the local — Presentation
• Building the new urban agenda: Listening to the local — Notes 

Launching in early 2023, the WELL City program will support and empower local governments that demonstrate leadership to advance health, well-being, and social equity in their communities. This program will recognize local leadership action on topics such as food justice, reimagining public spaces, resilient building infrastructure, micromobility, parks, and more. Attendees of this interactive workshop learned about the WELL City framework and contributed input to help shape the program framework.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Olesy Alekseev, VP & Canada Country Lead, International WELL Building Institute
• Jodie Applewhite, Director of Advocacy and Policy, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) — Moderator
• Lisa Helps, Mayor, City of Victoria
• Susan MacMurchy, Special Advisor, Delos
• Liz Miles, VP Stakeholder Relations, International WELL Building Institute

Presentation:

• WELL Cities – Fostering resilience, equity and community well-being

GHG emissions from buildings are typically the largest share of a community’s GHG emissions profile, therefore buildings must be at the forefront of any local government’s net-zero emissions strategy. In this session, speakers will help to shed light on the complexity of reducing emissions in this sector, from scaling-up energy efficiency upgrades to transitioning to renewables, dealing with the current building stock and establishing policies to ensure the future building stock is net-zero ready.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Maya Chorobik, Director of Climate Leadership, Community Energy Association
• Darynne Hagen, Development Manager, Geosource Energy
• John Ho, Community Energy Specialist, City of Victoria
• Varun Juneja, Business Development Representative, Mitsubishi Electric
• Magdalena Szpala, Sustainability & Resiliency Director, BC Housing
• Lisa Westerhoff, Principal, Integral Group — Moderator

Presentations and diagrams:

• Heat pump: Important in the journey to net-zero — Presented by Varun Juneja, Business Development Representative, Mitsubishi Electric
• What are owners and local governments grappling with? — Slides presented by Lisa Westerhoff, Principal, Integral Group
• What are owners and local governments grappling with? — Slides presented by Maya Chorobik, Director of Climate Leadership, Community Energy Association
• What are owners and local governments grappling with? — Slides presented by John Ho, Community Energy Specialist, City of Victoria
• BC Housing presentation — Presented by Magdalena Szpala, Sustainability & Resiliency Director, BC Housing
• Geo-exchange diagram — Shared by Darynne Hagen, Development Manager, Geosource Energy

Thank you to Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Cooling for sponsoring this session.