Ottawa — Today, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released the 22nd annual report of the Green Municipal FundTM (GMF), showcasing how it is driving innovation in its own operations, and for municipalities through program design, financing, projects and capacity development.

Municipalities big and small have the power and potential to transform lives and the world around us. GMF’s annual report illustrates how they are exploring new ways to ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future. Seemingly audacious ideas often start with an unanswerable question or a long-standing local challenge. GMF helps those ideas quickly grow into sustainable solutions that can be replicated coast-to-coast-to-coast to deliver triple-bottom-line benefits.

GMF envisions a future in which municipalities leverage environmentally sustainable solutions to build their communities and strengthen their economies. GMF is helping municipalities of all sizes across the country move to a low carbon future.

The federal government’s recently released Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) outlines the immediate, concrete steps our country will take to close the emissions gap to reduce GHGs by 40-45 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Achieving this target is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C and to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change. Now is the moment for bold climate action as we scale local pathways to net zero.

For more than two decades, GMF and FCM have been delivering climate programming that provides Canadian communities with the tools they need to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future while supporting the most vulnerable people.

GMF climate programs deliver proven, impactful solutions that can be scaled up across communities of all sizes – and we offer support for priorities identified in the ERP:

  • Low-emissions buildings and homes through the Community Efficiency Financing, Sustainable Affordable Housing and Community Buildings Retrofit initiatives
  • Transportation: GMF helps ensure active and low-carbon transit are accessible, efficient, safe, and convenient. Through our core offer we support options to reduce fossil fuels in fleets, and develop transportation networks and community option
  • Waste: GMF helps municipalities build a future in which waste is avoided, recovered, and reused through responsible resource management. GMF funds waste diversion and waste stream management options
  • Land use: GMF works with municipalities and their partners to ensure land is protected, restored, used, and managed responsibly. GMF funds brownfield site remediation, renewable energy production on brownfield, sustainable neighborhood action plans, on-site or off-site treatment of contaminated soils, groundwater, or other materials
  • The Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) Network of urban climate hubs is further enabling local innovation in seven major urban areas, helping almost 50 percent of Canadians live in more sustainable cities and creating examples for others to follow.

Quotes

“FCM’s Green Municipal Fund, together with municipalities and the federal government, is helping move the country toward Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals. Achieving the goal requires both bold investments in municipalities, and a disciplined approach to scaling up proven solutions – both elements that are at the core of GMF’s success. Together, we are working to build a future where we live, work and play in harmony with our natural environment.”

– Taneen Rudyk, FCM President

“For 22 years, we have helped municipalities switch to sustainability solutions faster, while delivering strong environment, economic and social co-benefits. By uniting with partners from all orders of government, as well as the private sector, GMF is proud to be part of a Canadian ecosystem inspiring innovation to create a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow.”

– Alan DeSousa, GMF Council Chair

“The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has consistently delivered progress on reducing pollution, enhancing energy efficiency, deploying zero-emissions infrastructure and assisting municipalities in leading the fight against climate change. The Government of Canada is pleased to work with them through the Green Municipal Fund, as we build more prosperous and net-zero communities across Canada.”

– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources

“Communities are on the front lines of climate action. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with a big assist from the Green Municipal Fund, is a crucial partner in helping meet Canada’s 2030 emissions targets while making our communities more resilient to the growing hazards of climate change. These projects help Canadians save on energy costs, and ensure a healthier environment for all of us to enjoy.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Collaboration between all levels of government is key to improving the lives of Canadians. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has been and will continue to be a crucial partner for our government as we work together to create more climate-resilient cities.”

– The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

 

FCM is the national voice of municipal governments, with more than 2,000 members representing more than 90 per cent of Canadians.
The Green Municipal Fund, a program of FCM, is funded through an endowment by the Government of Canada.

For more information: FCM Media Relations (613) 907-6395, media@fcm.ca 

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