QUEST and Pollution Probe announced that three new pilot communities have been selected to participate in the development of the Smart Energy Communities Scorecard. The communities are Beaconsfield, Quebec; Campbell River, British Columbia; and Markham, Ontario.
“Campbell River is committed to demonstrating leadership on climate action and as part of implementing our Community Energy and Emissions Plan we are working to encourage economic development in the building, energy retrofit and renewable energy sectors,” said Andy Adams, mayor of Campbell River. “The Smart Energy Communities scorecard initiative will provide a valuable tool for communities across the country to measure progress on implementing our energy and emissions plans, and Campbell River is pleased to be selected to participate in this innovative national initiative.”
These three communities will be joining the six communities that have been participating in the development of the scorecard since March 2018.
The Smart Energy Communities Scorecard will be the first tool of its kind to apply a systems thinking approach to evaluate how the policies and processes of multiple sectors, including local governments, utilities, and the real estate sector, are advancing the Smart Energy Communities approach.
“The City of Beaconsfield’s mission is to provide an inclusive community which offers a high quality of life and respects the natural and built environments through responsible and innovative management,” said Georges Bourelle, mayor of Beaconsfield. “Our participation in the development of the Smart Energy Communities Scorecard provides the opportunity to collaborate with innovative communities across Canada, which will serve to motivate our residents to join us in the efforts to become a more sustainable, self-sufficient, and resilient community in the face of climate change.”
Smart Energy Communities improve energy efficiency, enhance reliability, cut costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Scorecard initiative will provide communities with:
- A suite of qualitative performance indicators that evaluate how multiple sectors in a community are contributing to Smart Energy Communities;
- A Scorecard Report that profiles the scores of the nine pilot communities, and the methodology for evaluating Smart Energy Communities;
- A web-based dashboard that illustrates a roadmap for action for the featured communities to advance along the pathway to becoming a Smart Energy Community; and
- Leadership in community energy planning, geographic representation, and community size were all taken into consideration when selecting the pilot communities.
To learn more about these communities and the Smart Energy Communities Scorecard visit: www.questcanada.org/scorecard.
