3rd Party Incentives

WHAT

  • 3rd Party Incentives – Financial Supports to Go Green

    Deep GHGi emissions reductions will require widespread adoption of energy efficient transportation and building technologies. Local governments can promote climate protection by connecting citizens with 3rd party incentives promoting energy efficient transport, and energy efficiency for buildings. Incentives for improvements to business operations, commercial buildings and industrial processes also exist.

    Promoting 3rd party incentives works well in conjunction with civic programs such as facilities energy retrofits. Communicating with the public can build goodwill for civic action on climate changei. The City of Burnaby coordinated its comprehensive facilities retrofits with its Energy Fit public education campaign, which included information on 3rd party incentives [1,2]. Learn more by clicking the 'How' tab above.

    Complimentary Measures – Resources to Address Corporate Emissions

    Funding and training opportunities are also available to help local governments address their own corporate GHG emissions. 

     

    [Use the tab above to learn HOW to reduce emissions with this tool.]

    [1] The City of Burnaby. (2006). Energy Fit. http://www.burnaby.ca/cityhall/departments/departments_planning/plnnng_e...

    [2] Marnie Watson. (September 2008). Planning Department, City of Burnaby. Personal Communication.

     

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HOW

  • Promoting 3rd Party Incentives

    Communicate During Tax Season

    Including an informational insert in citizens tax envelopes is a highly effective strategy for local governments to inform community members about incentive opportunities, and other energy efficiency measures. The City of Burnaby (download sample) used this approach to great success, as did the Town of Smithers in conjunction with the non-profit One Sky.  

    Local governments can also use communications during rezoning and building permit applications to promote energy efficiency and connect citizens with 3rd party incentives. Be mindful that during permit applications, building designs are often relatively solidified, and incorporating efficient features can be more difficult. Local governments should prioritize strategies that can encourage energy efficiency earlier in the design and construction process.

    Utilize Local NGOs

    The District of Saanich contracted the non-profit organization City Green Solutions to act as the community's Energy Manager and offers free 'GreenStart' consultations to introduce home, retail and store owners to the grants and programs relavant to their building type. Green builders also receive one hour of free energy consulting.

    Incentive Programs & Educational Resources

    Local governments can encourage citizens to access the following resources:

    • LiveSmart BC is a Provincial program that educates British Columbians about opportunities to save money and reduce their GHGi footprints. LiveSmart provides incentives for home energy retrofits and more fuel efficient transport decisions. British Columbians applying for incentives through LiveSmart will automatically qualify for Federal ecoEnergy incentives for home retrofits, and are provided detailed information on applying for Federal ecoAUTO incentives. 
    • Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency offers the ecoENERGY retrofit incentives to small and medium sized businesses for energy efficiency improvements to buildings and industrial processes.
    • Solar BC offers $1000 incentives to homeowners who install solar hot water systems (LiveSmart BC and ecoENERGY Canada supply an additional $625). Solar hot water technology is exceptionally economically viable in BC, with installation costs usually paid back in energy savings after 6-8 years.   
    • The enterprising non-profiti Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre in Vancouver offers educational resources for British Columbians undertaking green buildingi projects, catering to a diversity of knowledge levels. Additionally, Lighthouse offers consulting services for projects, at charge.    
    • The enterprising non-profit City Green Solutions in Victoria offers educational resources and workshops promoting energy efficient building and retrofits. City Green also conducts energy assessments of homes and businesses.

    For an extensive list of programs that can help communities reduce their impact on the climate, see the funding and training program page.

    New incentive programs and educational resources are frequently launched, while others expire. If your organization is offering such programming, or you recongize updates required to our database, please contact us.

    Other Funding Directories

    The following sites list funding opportunities, incentives, and tools, available to encourage lower carbon buildings in BC’s communities:

    Natural Resources Canada – Directory of Energy Efficiency and Alternative Energy Programs in Canada

    Energy Savings Plan – Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs

     

     

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