Resource Library

This project identifies the barriers of energy conservation measures through case studies. Strategies are currently being developed by BC Housing to determine the most impactful energy conservation measures that can achieve the Clean BC 50% greenhouse gas emission reduction target. Increasing the building envelope's R-Value, switching to an air source heat pump fuel source, and ventilation upgrades are impactful strategies for deep energy savings.

Partner: BC Housing
Keywords: green buildings, GHG reduction

This report seeks to examine barriers to effective green infrastructure (GI) operations and maintenance (O&M) models and aims to document best practices in developing alternative frameworks. Alternative programs include community stewardship programs and workforce development programs. Lessons learned from these alternative strategies demonstrate how GI O&M can be leveraged to provide social and equity benefits.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: access to nature, clean water, green economy

Gaps and limitations exist within the current municipal, provincial, and federal data collections on mental health and wellness. These gaps do not highlight the inequities Indigenous Peoples endure accessing quality health services. Applying Indigenous principles and concepts of health and wellness to the review of data helps to reveal and address these inequities. Recommendations include, centering Indigenous ways of knowing into research about Indigenous Peoples, by Indigenous Peoples.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: healthy city

This project aims to identify best practices in planning for sea level rise for employment lands in the City of Vancouver, including industrial and port lands. Includes a summary of tools and approaches found in the literature and used by other jurisdictions including land use/regulatory tools, engineering, financial tools, economic resilience planning, multi-stakeholder engagement and public awareness and education. Implementation considerations and recommended next steps are provided.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: climate and renewables, green economy, healthy city

This study identifies the major challenges and opportunities for the implementation of on-street electric vehicle charging from light poles in the City of Vancouver, aiming to address homes without access to off-street parking. It includes a review of the programs and projects of other jurisdictions; an assessment of the existing streetlight poles electrical infrastructure; and a recommendation of possible locations for pilot projects.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: green economy, green transportation, healthy city

This project focuses on improving our understanding of the health and environmental impacts of street dirt and establishing a benchmarking of Vancouver's street sweeping operations. It consists of a literature review of street dirt analysis, including chemicals of concern and potential chemical concentrations, as well as and a benchmarking study which gathers street sweeping operational and fleet data from various cities to compare with Vancouver's street sweeping operations. 

Partner: City of Vancouver
Keywords: clean water, healthy city, lighter footprint

This report synthesizes the outcomes of the various elements of the Lower Fraser Valley visual air quality pilot study and, where possible, identifies the key features of the study that could be relevant to developing recommendations for a visual air quality program. Regional work on visual air quality has been coordinated by the BC Visibility Coordinating Committee. Results, findings and recommendations arising from the pilot study inform the development of actions for improving visual air quality.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: sustainable development, green economy

This project aims to gain a better understanding of the relationship between N₂O emissions and wastewater treatment plant processes in Metro Vancouver. A literature review was conducted to investigate the potential sources of N₂O emissions in Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, potential measurement methods and measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from Metro Vancouver wastewater treatment plants.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: water

The goal of this project is to increase BC Energy Step Code adoption in small and medium communities by optimizing the Community Energy Association's support efforts. This report focuses specifically on the unique challenges and opportunities of implementing the BC Energy Step Code in smaller communities by identifying common barriers and determining actions for the Community Energy Association moving forward. This research is largely informed by interviews conducted with planners and building officials.

Partner: Community Energy Association
Keywords: green buildings, leadership & behaviour change