Resources for public sector organizations
Last updated on June 24, 2025On this page
- Funding information
- Emissions reduction initiatives
- Climate risk management for the health sector
- Climate resilient design guidelines
- Offsetting
- Annual Public Sector Climate Leadership Symposium
Funding information
- Federal Funding, Grants and Incentives - The Federal Government of Canada manages several funding, grants and incentive programs to encourage research, development and demonstration of energy and related solutions in Canada.
Emission reduction initiatives in the public sector
- Guidelines for Environmentally Responsible Procurement - These procurement guidelines are designed to encourage ministries to consider environmentally responsible products and services as part of their purchasing decisions
- Low Carbon Building Materials - Learn about the use of low carbon building materials in public sector buildings and the opportunity to earn LEED v4 credits
- Electric Vehicle Charging Station Corporate Supply Arrangement - Information on a corporate supply arrangement that allows the provincial public sector, First Nations, and local governments to purchase vehicle charging stations directly from suppliers, often with favourable pricing
- Alternatives to Business Travel - Information on how videoconferencing and other workstation tools can significantly cut travel and overtime costs, transit time and emissions
- Energy management training - Natural Resources Canada - Tools, resources and information on energy and energy management
Climate risk management for the health sector
Climate impacts on health fact sheets
A series of fact sheets examining climate impacts and adaptation opportunities in the health sector:
- Overview (PDF, 1MB)
- Facilities (PDF, 803KB)
- Communities (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Public Health (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Front-Line Health Care (PDF, 967KB)
Reports and tools
- Moving towards Climate Resilient Health Facilities for Vancouver Coastal Health (PDF, 8.9MB) - This report seeks to understand how climate change will pose a risk to health facility operations in order to ensure high levels of care, minimize cascading impacts on health services, and control operational over-runs
- Canadian Coalition of Green Healthcare - The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care enables the health care sector to lead the integration of environmentally responsible practices into the delivery of health care
- Government of Canada: Climate Change and Public Health Fact Sheets - The Public Health Agency aims to help Canadians understand how the environment can impact health, and how we can all work together to protect ourselves, our families and our communities
- Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Health Care Facilities Toolkit - This web-based toolkit includes a Best Practices document, vulnerability assessment framework for medical facilities and additional resources that encourage practical steps for building resilience
- Green Infrastructure and Health Guide - The Willamette Partnership and Oregon Public Health Institute built the Green Infrastructure and Health Guide to help local government, communities, and health care organizations connect green infrastructure and public health in new ways
Climate resilient design guidelines
- Infrastructure Canada’s Climate Lens - The Climate Lens has two components: the greenhouse gas mitigation assessment, which will measure the anticipated emissions impact of an infrastructure project, and the climate change resilience assessment, which will employ a risk management approach to anticipate, prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover from a climate change related disruption or impact
- B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Technical Circular T04/19 (PDF, 407KB) - This Technical Circular provides direction to the transportation community to consider future climate in highway infrastructure
Offsetting
Offsetting is a key component of B.C.’s Carbon Neutral Government program.
By investing in B.C.-based offset projects, public sector organizations offset their remaining greenhouse gas emissions and become carbon neutral.
At the same time, offsetting advances green technologies, supports clean job growth and stimulates the economy. For example, offset projects improve forest management and sequester carbon, which provide a new mechanism to protect biodiversity and contribute to a conservation economy in B.C. communities.
Find out more about B.C.’s offset portfolio.
Public Sector Climate Leadership Symposium
A wide range of information and real-world experience in reducing emissions and adapting to climate change.
Introduction
Plenary Resilience and Adaptation
- New Legislation and Regulations for Local Authorities and Public Sector Organizations - Risk Assessment (PDF, 1.4MB)
- Risk Assessment 101 - Breakout Session (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Putting the Resilience in Disaster Risk Reduction: From assessment to action in B.C. (PDF, 920KB)
- Realizing Resilient Buildings (R2B) - Barriers and Enablers for Climate Adaptation and Resilience in the Building Sector (PDF, 1.8MB)
- Realizing Resilient Buildings (R2B) - Breakout Session (PDF, 3.9MB)
- Resources for Building Public Sector Organizations' Climate Resilience (PDF, 3.4MB)
Plenary Greening Transportation
- Driving Change: Capital Regional District - Low-Carbon Mobility Initiatives (PDF, 3.3MB)
- Planning Together BC - Integrated Transportation and Land Use for Thriving Communities (PDF, 2MB)
- BC Active Transportation Programs (PDF, 1MB)
- Interior Health - Electric Vehicle Transition Plan - Breakout Session (PDF, 6.5MB)
Plenary Buildings and Infrastructure
- Integrated Demand-side Management for Conservation and Energy Management (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Pathways to Net Zero Embodied Carbon in Buildings (PDF, 714KB)
- Zero Emissions New Homes: Vancouver's Experience - Zero Carbon Step Code (PDF, 2MB)
Plenary: From Gas to Electricity
Public Sector Organizations
- Carbon Neutral Government Program Updates (PDF, 718KB)
- Fleet Decarbonization (PDF, 1.1MB)
- Fleet Decarbonization - Engagement (PDF, 931KB)
- Developing a Public Sector Existing Buildings Strategy (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Developing a Public Sector Existing Buildings Strategy - Engagement (PDF, 634KB)
Local Government
- City of Abbotsford - Green Civic Building Strategy (PDF, 1.4MB)
- City of Nelson - Pre-treated Organics Diversion Program (PDF, 1.9MB)
- Regional District of Kootenay Boundary - Climate Action Plan (PDF, 2MB)
- BC Hydro - Sustainable Communities Program (PDF, 2.1MB)
- City of Kamloops Youth Climate Corps - Climate Friendly Homes Program (PDF, 2.1MB)
- Municipal Finance Authority of BC - Environmental Social Governance (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Role of Networks in Meaningful Collaboration (PDF, 2.4MB)
- Corporate Emissions, Contracted Services and Community-wide Emissions Reporting (PDF, 1.6MB)
- Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) - Year 2 Overview and Looking Ahead to Year 3 (PDF, 1.2MB)
2022 Public Sector Climate Leadership Symposium
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
- Climate Ready Requirements (PDF, 3.5MB)
- CleanBC Government Fleet Program (PDF, 1MB)
- Electric School Buses (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Geo Exchange System Upgrades (PDF, 1.1MB)
Session 4
November 2019 Public Sector Climate Leadership Symposium
Plenary Session 1
Plenary Session 2
Plenary Session 3
Plenary Session 4
- Designing for Future Climate (PDF, 2.2MB)
- Mobilizing Building Adaptation and Resilience (PDF, 2.5MB)
- Designing Climate Resilient Buildings (PDF, 2.9MB)
Plenary Session 5
- Moving Toward Climate Resilience (PDF, 5.3MB)
- HealthADAPT Climate Change and Health Adaptation (PDF, 705KB)
- Mapping Spatial Patterns in Vulnerability to Climate Change Related Health Hazards (PDF, 2MB)
- Interior Health’s Approach to a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (PDF, 1MB)
Breakout Sessions
- Passive House on Campus (PDF, 9.5MB)
- Buildings in Healthcare (PDF, 2.7MB)
- Greening Building Operations (PDF, 2MB)
Main Session 2 - Part 1
- BCIT: Overview of Research Projects: Microgrid, Remote Solar PVs, Streetlight Charging Stations (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Fleet Electrification: Infrastructure and Policy (PDF, 2MB)
- Life Cycle Analysis: Electric and ICE Vehicles (PDF, 1.9MB)
Main Session 2 - Part 2
Breakout Sessions
- Climate Data for Energy Efficient Buildings (PDF, 1.8MB)
- Greening Your School (District) (PDF, 1.8MB)
- Castles and Cathedrals (Greening Our School) (PDF, 1.3MB)
Main Room Session
March 2019 Public Sector Climate Leadership Symposium
Note: There were no symposia events in calendar year 2018
Introductions
Adaptation
Buildings
- EfficiencyBC - Commercial, Institutional and Multi-family (CIM) Buildings (PDF, 1MB)
- PS Leadership in Buildings (PDF, 1MB)
Fleets
2017 Public Sector Climate Leadership Symposium
Public Sector Climate Action Commitments
Adaptation Deep Dive
Building Solutions
- Belmont Secondary School Energy Reduction (PDF, 1MB)
- Energy Step Code: Building Beyond the Standard (PDF, 2MB)
- Energy SMART Buildings (PDF, 1MB)
- FortisBC: Working Together Towards Innovative Energy Solutions (PDF, 1MB)
Carbon Neutral Government Updates
Low Carbon Building Materials
- Perkins + Will (PDF, 17MB)
- ContempraTM Portland Limestone Cement and its use in Lower Carbon Intensity Concrete (PDF, 3MB)
- LEED v4 and Low Carbon Materials (PDF, 5MB)
- Brock Commons Tallwood House (PDF, 3MB)
Collaborating with Local Governments
2016 Public Sector Climate Leadership Symposium
Keynote Address: Lessons in Hospital Resilience
Review of North American health care resilience initiatives and programs.
Setting the Stage: Public Sector Climate Action in BC and National Context
Overview of national and provincial commitments to climate action and the role of BC’s public sector.
A Mandate for Planning
Planning and managing for energy and environmental performance – using best practices for emission reduction planning.
- Management System Approach in Climate Action (PDF, 958KB)
- How Are We Going to Develop a 10-year Emissions Reductions Plan? (PDF, 2.3MB)
- Value of Strategic Energy Management Plans (PDF, 152KB)
Key Factors in Achieving Emission Reductions
Insights from PSOs that have significantly reduced operational emissions.
- Key Factors in Achieving Emissions Reductions (PDF, 570KB)
- Key Factors in GHG reduction (PDF, 2.3MB)
- School District 23 Sustainability Initiatives (PDF, 3.8MB)
- A Culture of Sustainability at the Liquor Distribution Branch (PDF, 2.2MB)
- The Fifth Key to Success (PDF, 1.1MB)
Resilient Low-Carbon Facilities
Strategies and tactics to lower the carbon intensity and improve the resilience of public sector facilities.
- Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) (PDF, 1.7MB)
- Green and Resilient Buildings (PDF, 2.7MB)
- Building the Future, Net Zero and Net Ready (PDF, 2.7MB)
B.C.’s Energy Step Code
Learn about the new Energy Step Code and B.C.’s transition to net-zero energy buildings.
B.C.’s Fleet Champions Program
Supporting fleet managers in B.C. in their efforts towards electric vehicle uptake.
Now Wow! How?
Group activity to think strategically about climate change impacts and opportunities.
Climate Change Adaptation Panel
Hear insights about adaptation planning and risk assessment from Fraser Health, City of Vancouver, and ICLEI Canada.
- Building Adaptive and Resilient Communities (BARC) (PDF, 1.3MB)
- City of Vancouver - Preparing for Climate Change (PDF, 2.2MB)
- Healthcare Service Delivery - Extreme Weather and Climate Stressors (PDF, 724KB)
Historical Analytics
Trends and observations from an analysis of SMARTTool data.
SMARTTool Update
An update on the status of and plans for the SMARTTool refresh as well as an overview of new functionality.
Your Carbon Neutral Government Offsets Portfolio
A brief portfolio overview followed by a presentation detailing how an industrial fuel switching offset project is planned, implemented and quantified.
2015 Carbon Neutral Symposium
- Climate Change Adaptation 101 (PDF, 781KB) - Wondering how to bring adaptation into your business? You're the expert at change management
- PSO Leadership: Bella Bella Passive House (PDF, 38MB) - How Vancouver Coastal Health built B.C.'s first public sector facility to Passive House standards
- Best Practices Interactive Session (PDF, 881KB) - Drawing on our collective experience to identify best practices for reducing emissions
- Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA): Mitigation is not Enough (PDF, 1.5MB) - Here how VIHA is working with Engineers Canada to assess climate change risk to buildings
- Linking Adaptation and Emissions Reductions (PDF, 2.1MB) - Exploring how to address adaptation and mitigation at the same time
- Coastal First Nations: Great Bear Rainforest Carbon Offset Project (PDF, 20.3MB) - Environmental, economic and cultural benefits of this First Nations offset project
- Celebrating Public Sector Achievements in Carbon Neutral Government (PDF, 330KB) - Environmental and economic achievements of the first five years of carbon neutral government
- University of Victoria: Success Story (PDF, 1.8MB) - How University of Victoria achieved substantive reductions beyond average public sector reductions
- Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC): Success Story (PDF, 851KB) - How ICBC achieved substantive reductions beyond average public sector reductions
- Climate Adaptation Planning Process at BC Housing (PDF, 635KB) - Hear how one B.C. public sector organization is exploring adaptation options
- Opening up Adaptation (PDF, 981KB) - Small group exercise that builds on the approach taken by BC Housing to explore the questions at the start of adaptation planning
- Building Climate Resilience (PDF, 458KB) - Concrete steps to bring climate adaptation and mitigation home to your organization
2014 Carbon Neutral Symposium
- All About Biomass (PDF, 7.7MB)
- Climate Resilient Buildings Resources - Carbon Neutral Government 2015 (PDF, 163KB)
- CNG Symposium Opening Remarks (PDF, 356KB)
- Geoexchange (PDF, 421KB)
- Geoexchange Systems (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Revolving Funds (PDF, 78KB)
- Solar PV Systems (PDF, 3.8MB)
- Verification and Data Process Verification (PDF, 172KB)
Case studies
A comprehensive climate risk assessment matrix is becoming an integral part of organizational decision-making for Nanaimo Hospital's future retrofits, supporting measures to reduce costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the facility and patients.
For more information, view our case studies.