CNCA Innovation Fund

This project conducted research on the movements and motivations of gig economy workers to consider equity and inform the feasibility, future development and design of a transport pricing strategy for road user fees in Vancouver’s city centre.

Output: 

• Gig Worker Mobility Study

A project by the City of Sydney to develop an Aboriginal Carbon Farming Market in New South Wales to undertake and maintain regeneration projects: with the objective to establish a market signal, precedent and an ethical system for securing long-term finance streams to traditional custodians and Indigenous enterprises.

Outputs:

Aboriginal Carbon Foundation — NSW Aboriginal Carbon Farming Project

• Brochure
• Council Briefing
• Stakeholder Briefing
• Partnership Planning Framework
• Supplier Partnership Information

The City of Boulder—with the cities of Helsinki, Minneapolis, and Stockholm—explored the potential for integrating biochar into urban climate action strategies. The project combined both city specific biochar and biomass assessments with additional technical assessments of biochar benefits, technical specifications, best practices for uses, and a preliminary guide to integrating equity considerations in biochar facility development.

Outputs:

• Urban Forest Biomass/Biochar Playbook
• Opportunity Assessment for Municipalities
• Biochar’s Potential for Environmental Justice
• City Biochar-Urban Forestry Strategies:
  • Boulder
  • Helsinki
  • Minneapolis
  • Stockholm

The City of Denver developed a background paper for current last-mile delivery operations in the City & County of Denver and identified ways in which deliveries might be accomplished in a more sustainable, safe, and equitable manner.

Output:

• Zero-Emissions Last-Mile Deliveries in Denver Background Paper

The Cities of Minneapolis and Stockholm developed and tested pilot Mobility Hubs within their communities. The City of Minneapolis created strategies and actions to promote their pilot project through marketing, education, and an encouragement campaign. The City of Stockholm designed and implemented a pilot project to decrease the use and ownership of personal cars by targeting a location with an existing city-owned garage. Learnings are captured in the project outputs.

Outputs:

• Minneapolis Mobility Hub Ambassadors Deep Dive
• Minneapolis Mobility Hub Engagement Deep Dive
• Minneapolis Mobility Hub Function+Features Deep Dive
• Minneapolis Mobility Hub Resilience Deep Dive
• Stockholm Mobility Hub Outcomes Report
• Stockholm Mobility Stations in Europe
• Stockholm Parking Study for Medborgarplatsen Pilot Site
• Stockholm Site Survey for Medborgarplatsen

The City of Sydney created a framework to increase whole building engagement in achieving net zero emissions using a gamified approach that catalyzed building owners to leverage existing programs, resources and industry stakeholders to deliver coordinated and meaningful environmental engagement with their tenants and occupants.

Outputs:

• Better Buildings Cup Measurement & Engagement Framework
• Better Buildings Cup Engagement Report – Bring Your Best Self
• Better Buildings Cup Engagement Report – Positive Power
• Better Buildings Cup Evaluation Report

The City of Yokohama created a platform for residents and businesses to promote the introduction of renewable energy without the help of city subsidies.

Outputs:

• Report 1: Examination and development of a support platform for installation of solar power
• Report 2: Means for the local production of power for local consumption post feed-in tariff

A tool to measure the extent to which specific elements of urban projects can impact the achievement of cities’ strategic goals and commitments towards sustainable development, contributing to the search for effective results in reducing GHG emissions, in the heat islands and improvement in air quality.

Outputs:

• IMPROve Urban Design Project Impact Tool Manual (PDF)
• IMPROve Urban Design Project Impact Tool (Download)

An online platform to calculate energy consumption in buildings and visualize/compare performance against typological and market standards. Based on information provided by users, the platform offers strategies to improve performance.

Outputs:

• Pro Rio Building Energy Consumption Tool

Outputs:

• Zero Emission Buildings Taskforce Report
• Zero Emission Buildings Taskforce New Construction Summary 

These publications mark the end of a one-year project carried out in collaboration between five climate vanguard cities, all members of CNCA: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm. A suite of background notes and reports have been developed that explore carbon capture storage and utilization technologies (CCSU), and the solutions they provide to cities. Until now, the discussion on carbon capture has rarely been mentioned in the context of cities.

Outputs:

• Main Report: How CCSU Can Help Cities Go Carbon Neutral
• Climate Profiles of the Five Cities and Their Ongoing Work with CCSU
• Measures to Encourage CCSU in Cities
• Key Barriers in the 5 Cities
• Carbon Capture and Storage in City-Based Carbon Accounting
• The Role of Carbon Capture and Storage in Transforming Cities
• How Cities Can Address Emissions From Industry
• Barriers to Transport and Storage of CO₂ Within the EU
• Carbon Capture in the EU Emissions Trading System
• Potential Business Models
• EU Funding Opportunities
• Recommendations for Cities
• Report: Technology Screening

Now in its 5th year of operation, the CNCA Innovation Fund is pleased to announce the CNCA member cities awarded grants to pursue innovative projects that will accelerate carbon neutrality.

• Rio de Janeiro will create a tool to prioritize interventions that have the biggest impact on GHG emissions, air quality and the urban heat island effect.
• Rio de Janeiro will receive a second award to implement energy benchmarking within the city and across Brazil.
• Sydney will drive buildings and businesses to net-zero energy through a gamification platform.
• Yokohama will promote solar energy in a post-Feed In Tariff economy.

This tool, along with the accompanying report, provides guidance on calculating and implementing energy performance standards for greenhouse gas reduction in existing buildings.

Outputs:

• Project Summary
• Final Report: Performance Targets and Metrics
• Target Calculation Tool: Workbook Spreadsheet (Download)

This project developed a primer tool to support the market transformation of building electrification initiatives across North America and Europe that advance decarbonization goals.

Outputs:

• Building Electrification Primer for City-Utility Coordination
• Webinar Held on 4 October, 2019 (View Recording)

This project established a Scandinavian Green Public Procurement Alliance (SGPPA) to address the direct tendering of transport services in Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) fleet. Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo share lessons and draft templates from this developing process.

Outputs:

• Lessons Learned (2019)
  • 2020 Addendum 
• Market Analysis for Non-Road Mobile Machinery Sector
• SGPPA CO2 Baseline Reporting
• SGPPA Procurement Strategy
• SGPPA Cooperation Agreement

The City of Yokohama and their partners pioneered a study on “urban blue carbon,” in order to propose an internationally applicable method to accurately estimate the carbon reduction effect in the urban coastal line. This field study is conducted in Kanazawa Bay, Yokohama’s coastal area, to measure the carbon absorption and fixation volume of seaweed. 

Outputs:

• Report

This project co-funded the development of three case studies documenting GHG reduction successes and the lessons learned in improving the cost-effectiveness of implementing these projects.

Outputs:

• Case Study 1 – Single Family Passive House
• Case Study 2 – High Performance Laneway House
• Case Study 3 – Multi-Unit Residential Passive House

This project implemented the second phase of the Thermal Decarbonization Initiative for Cities. The project team designed and tested pilot programs to scale up demand for heat pumps and strengthen local supply chains – specifically in the small residential sector. An air source heat pump tool was created to provide a high-level estimate of GHG savings for installing air source heat pumps in 4 U.S. cities: Boulder, Burlington, New York City and Washington, D.C.

Outputs:

• Air Source Heat Pump GHG Savings Calculation Tool (Download)

Boulder:

• Summary of Boulder Building Electrification Workshop
• Options for EnergySmart Rebate Requirements
• Summary of Best Practices for Energy Campaign Marketing
• Heat Pump Adoption Marketing Campaign – Digital Metrics

Burlington:

• Summary of Burlington Building Electrification Workshop
• Burlington Electric Department Rebate Postcard

New York City:

• NYC Air Source Heat Pump Operational Cost Tool (Download)

Washington, DC:

• Summary of Washington, DC Building Electrification Workshop
• Summary of Washington, D.C. Available Incentive Programs
• Department of Energy and Environment, DC Heat Pump Rebate Program Design 

This project produced a downloadable consumption-based emissions inventory (CBEI) toolkit to support urban greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.

Outputs

• Consumption-based Emissions Inventory Toolkit

This project funded an in-depth workshop to explore human centered design techniques to help center racial equity and social justice in climate action planning.

Outputs

• HCD City of Seattle Workshop Summary

This project defined a minimum performance standard for HVAC systems in a single metric, with: (1) baseline systems for various building types; (2) calculation software; and (3) code language for incorporation at the city and state level. This standard has been proposed for incorporation into the Washington state energy code.

Outputs:

• TSPR The Total Performance System Ratio as a Metric for HVAC
• Proposed TSPR Code Language Change
• TSPR FAQs
• TSPR Presentation at ACEEE 2018
• TSPR Flyer Officials

This project developed an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Methodology which has been accredited and published by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). This methodology provides monitoring parameters to quantify emission reductions of EV charging infrastructure.

Outputs:

• Verified Carbon Standard

More information on continuing work:

• Factsheet: Connecticut Green Bank EV Charging Carbon Credit Project
• Webinar Recording: Capitalizing Carbon Revenues for EV Charging

This project engaged a cohort of Australian cities to align around the application of a values-based approach to communication and engagement. This approach is designed to catalyze action for net-zero carbon outcomes. Three successful workshops facilitated a learning environment that resulted in tools to enable city campaign planning.

Outputs:

• Integrated Communications Planner
• Landscape Analysis Guide
• Research: A National View on Climate Change
• Net Zero Research Summary Insights
• Shared Values Based Approach for Cities
• Planning to Measure Impact
• Communicating Aggregate Decarbonization Efforts
• Compare and Contrast Campaign Results
• CNCA Workshop Report 1
• CNCA Workshop Report 2
• CNCA Workshop Report 3
• Summary of Key Learnings and Progress
• Shared Project Management Plan Template

This project was designed so that the Cities of Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC could better understand the challenges and opportunities with the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in relation to their climate goals. The cities shared their research, approaches, and knowledge about AVs, and learned about AV policy efforts around North America. An AVs in the Pacific Northwest Baseline Report was developed and two workshops were held.

Outputs:

• AVs in Pacific NW Baseline Report
• Autonomous Vehicles in the Pacific Northwest
  • Workshop 1
  • Workshop 2
• Automated Mobility in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver (BC)
• AVs in the PNW Policy Brief (March 2019)
• New Mobility in the Right-of-Way (March 2019)

The Energy Leap project is seeking to adapt the Energiesprong model for the UK, testing innovative ways to deliver net zero energy refurbishments for up to ten demonstrator properties, and helping overcome some of the barriers to delivering zero carbon retrofit at scale. The report below summarizes progress and shares the lessons learned to date from London’s effort to understand whether the Energiesprong model can be successfully transferred to London.

Outputs:

• Mayor of London Energy Leap Project (Energiesprong) – Lessons Learned

This project enabled knowledge sharing and replication efforts stemming from the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP). The project was designed to be shared to encourage further PPAs. Activities include: undertaking market research and stakeholder mapping, developing a replication strategy, developing a procurement manual and replication guide, raising awareness about the opportunity for corporate power purchase agreements, and hosting a customer engagement and knowledge sharing program.

Outputs

• MREP Renewable Energy Procurement Guide
• MREP Corporate PPA Masterclasses delivered in Sydney and Melbourne
• MREP Presentations
• Video
• Tender

This guide provides options and actionable steps for other cities interested in completing similar analyses to guide the development of approaches to transitioning away from fossil fuel-based heating. In particular, this guide discusses key steps and best practices to: (1) Establish goals and parameters for a thermal decarbonization initiative within the local context; (2) Identify and collect data from publicly-available data sources; (3) Conduct a market analysis of the local building stock; and (4) Leverage market analysis to engage key stakeholders and develop policies and programs for scaling the local RH&C market.

Outputs:

• Renewable Heating and Cooling Best Practice Action Guide
• Boulder: Report Summary
• New York City: Report Summary
• Washington DC: Report Summary

Stockholm Royal Seaport is appointed the next generation sustainable city districts with ambitious environmental goals including resource efficiency and becoming climate positive (according to the Climate Positive Development Program framework). One of the areas subject to investigations has been wastewater management. This project, led by Stockholm, delivers a feasibility study describing the potential and scenarios of source separating wastewater systems for dense urban areas.

Outputs:

• Final Report: Food and Energy in a Circular Economy

This project examined market barriers to a business model that brings the “Energiesprong” program from the Netherlands to San Francisco. Varying market conditions in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area will determine REALIZE’s approach to successfully facilitate the development of a mass scale energy retrofit market. Categorizing properties by market conditions will allow REALIZE to target Low Income Housing Tax Credit affordable properties that present minimal barriers to entry, while continuing to improve market conditions for future market segments. Products contain work completed to gain insight into market conditions, barriers, and solutions in an effort to advance REALIZE technical solutions at a rapid rate through a robust to-go-market strategy.

Outputs:

• REALIZE Demand and Energy Stakeholder Workshop Summary
• How to Guide: Net Zero Retrofit Technical and Cost Benchmark Studies
• Multifamily Net Zero Retrofit Market: Technical and Cost Benchmarks for San Francisco

This project developed and implemented pilot programs designed to expand the early adoption of renewable thermal in the existing residential building stock in New England. It created market analysis and campaign design methodologies, and summarized campaign findings so other cities can use lessons learned as they follow suit.

Outputs:

• Final Summary Report from Project Activities
• Key Findings from Pilot Renewable Heating and Cooling Campaigns
• Analysis of Local Markets

This project implemented dual energy efficiency and seismic resiliency improvements in standard housing stock project, testing a method to improve the energy efficiency and seismic resiliency in older housing stock by trying the use of an emerging approach to wall assemblies. A report detailing the project from start to finish is posted here.

Outputs:

• Improving Energy Efficiency and Seismic Resiliency in Older Housing Stock

A project that leveraged demonstrated European success in significantly reducing energy use through improved building envelope performance and collaboration between cities in order to accelerate the market transformation towards carbon neutral buildings in North America.

Outputs:

• A High Performance Buildings Barriers and Best Practice Report With Supporting Documents
• Zero Emissions Building Targets Report and Council Presentation
• North American Passive House Network Meeting Agenda, Presentation, and Outcomes Report

A project that addressed issues of displacement and gentrification through research and policy development, using Portland, OR as a test case.

Outputs:

• A Summary of Household Research in the Powell-Division Corridor
• Transit-Oriented Development and Gentrification Literature Review
• Rental Properties Typology Report
• A Memo on Population Change
• An Emissions Summary

A project to develop a strategy for transitioning to district-scale low-carbon energy systems in three communities in Boulder, Seattle and Minneapolis.

Outputs:

• The Playbook Executive Summary
• Energy System Transformation Full Playbook
• Boulder Energy Systems Transformation Strategy
• Minneapolis Energy Systems Transformation Strategy
• Seattle Energy Systems Transformation Strategy
• A Boulder Case Study: Chautauqua Report

A framework to develop a shared vocabulary, understanding and vision for how municipalities can develop a community-wide energy planning and management system that supports a transformation of their energy systems from a fossil fuel base to 100% renewable energy.

Outputs:

• City Energy Supply Strategy Profiles
• Energy Systems Framework (Executive Summary)
• Energy Systems Framework (Final)
• Energy Systems Transformation Framework
• Watch the Convening Video

A project to develop strategies for decarbonizing thermal energy systems in different building types in two cities: residential and commercial/light industrial buildings in Boulder and municipal buildings in San Francisco.

Outputs:

• Thermal Decarbonization Executive Summary
• Boulder Decarbonization Full Report
• San Francisco Decarbonization Full Report

 This project provides a detailed assessment of the extent to which the energiesprong retrofitting model is transferable to London, through the development of a robust business case and barriers report. The report assesses the level of ‘transferability’ of each of the key energiesprong pillars and, on the basis of this, identifies the practical steps needed to deliver the model in London.

Outputs:

• London Energiesprong Transferability Assessment
• Energiesprong UK Finance Model Introduction
• The Finance Model
• The Post Workshop Report

This synthesis report focuses on the potential for promoting “green vehicles” in Northern Europe benefitting climate, health and well-being as well as the quality of our air. It highlights the main observations, exchanges and recommendations identified over the two days of the workshop called: “Upscaling Green Vehicles in Northern Europe” arranged in Copenhagen as part of the CNCA meeting. The workshop initiative presents an opportunity for new collaborative projects between CNCA cities, car industry companies, energy companies, interest groups, and mobility operators with a clear interest in promoting green vehicles.

Outputs:

• Synthesis Workshop Report: Upscaling Green Vehicles in Northern Europe

A report to examine the technical and economic feasibility of moving towards net-zero high-rise residential buildings in Australia and identifies pathways to accelerate their commercialization. It is designed to inspire Federal and State Government policy makers and the development industry to move rapidly toward buildings that go well beyond current requirements of BASIX (NSW) and the National Construction Code. Accompanying documents include an article describing the importance of the work, and a presentation providing an overview of the work.

Outputs:

• Final Report: Accelerating Net-Zero High-Rise Residential Buildings in Australia

This project examined two fundamental aspects of the transition to 4th Generation District Heating Networks designed to enable a more cost effective transition away from fossil fuels to a future heat supply that is from local renewable, environmental and waste heat sources.

Outputs:

• Connecting Existing Buildings to District Heating Networks Summary Report
• Connecting Existing Buildings to District Heating Networks Technical Report

The Blueprint, presented in the main body of this report, is organized as a standalone document describing (1) the key activities involved in the process of developing hydrogen refueling stations, (2) the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders involved, and (3) a detailed stage-gate process describing all the key activities to be undertaken at each stage of the licensing and permitting process – from pre-application to issue of a final occupancy permit and operational license, and opening of the facility for public use – with detailed activity checklists for both HRS Developers, and Planning Authorities. Technical Appendices are provided to complement the Blueprint and provide project developers with a comprehensive knowledge base on technologies, standards and regulations, which includes case studies of hydrogen refueling stations in Europe, Japan and the United States.

Outputs:

• Development Approval of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations