There are many things, big and small, that we can all do to help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and build resilient communities in the face of climate change. Click to expand each section below to explore our resources and programs. Find out how you can be part of the solution.
Take Action
At home
- Climate Action To Go Kits are free to borrow activity kits that can help you learn about how to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at home.
UPDATE: New Climate Action To Go Kits are coming November 2024, along with thermal imaging kits! Check back soon. - Home Energy Navigator is a regional service that helps homeowners take the next step, regardless of where they are in their retrofit journey. Participants are connected with an Energy Concierge, who can provide support throughout a retrofit project.
- Better Homes BC helps British Columbians find rebates for renovating or building a home to save energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- Heat pump rebate top-ups are available for residents switching from fossil fuel to electric powered heating.
- Energy Coach is a free coaching service offered through Better Homes BC. Receive building-science based information about the options and opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your home or building.
- Certified Energy Advisors can give you expert, independent, and customized advice about improving your home's energy efficiency through energy saving upgrades.
On the go
- Get moving and reduce your carbon emissions by biking, walking, or taking public transit.
- Take advantage of rebates to make your next vehicle an electric one.
- The charging network is growing in BC! Find out where you can charge electric vehicles:
In the kitchen
- What we eat and where we get our food has climate impacts. Consider ways to reduce your individual contribution through food by:
- Eat less meat and dairy
- Eat in season and buy local. View our Fresh Food Calendar to check what is in season
- Grow your own food
- Try not to waste food and always compost your kitchen scraps. Visit lovefoodhatewaste.ca for tips and tricks.
Resources for Educators & School Programs
Cool It! Climate Leadership Training
- The CRD partners with the BC Sustainable Energy Association to deliver climate education to elementary students in the region. The Cool It! Climate Leadership Training programs teaches students about climate change and identifies how they can become a part of the solution.
Walk & Wheel to School
- The Walk and Wheel to School initiative is a fun and free offering for schools in the capital region. Its goal is to support schools to celebrate and encourage students and their families to choose active travel for all or part of their usual commute to school by offering a variety of free resources to help schools run celebratory event(s) when most convenient for them. Check out our Walk & Wheel to School Activity Guidebook.
Resources for Businesses & Workplaces
Transportation & Fleets
- Join the wave of BC fleets that are going electric. The CleanBC Go Electric Program is designed to encourage zero emission vehicle (ZEV) deployment offering incentives, knowledge, and support.
- Support active transportation at your work place. Try participating in GoByBike week and provide a place for employees to store bikes.
Rebates & Incentives
- Clean BC Better Buildings provides funding and capital incentives to encourage energy efficient design, construction and renovation of commercial buildings.
- Rebate and incentive programs for businesses to upgrade equipment to improve energy efficiency are available from both BC Hydro and Fortis BC.
- You can also check out these energy saving tips for your business or workplace.
Vancouver Island Green Business Certification
- The Vancouver Island Green Business Certification (VIGBC) program is a unique way to recognize and award the efforts of small and medium sized businesses that are taking action to reduce waste, paper usage, water and energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and furthering social responsibility in the community.For businesses, the certification is a guide to greening your operations and educating staff. For consumers, it is a symbol that lets you know which businesses have green practices and shop sustainably with confidence.
ClimateSmart Training
- The Climate Smart Business Program is a unique training program delivered to small and medium sized enterprises to help businesses measure their corporate greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to support organizations from a variety of sectors to better understand corporate energy and fuel use. In addition to three group training workshops, Climate Smart provides one on one coaching to help participants identify the best ways to reduce their impact through policy changes, technology adoption and behaviour change programs.
Reports & Data
Check out our reports and data on climate change, like our Coastal Flood Inundation Mapping Project or our Community Energy and Emissions Inventory.