Province of Nova Scotia Contributes $7.5 Million to HCi3 in Support of Local Climate Action
June 20, 2023 – Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS— The Province of Nova Scotia is contributing $7.5 million to the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund as part of its commitment to local climate action through Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth.
This funding will support HCi3’s long-term sustainability and have an immediate impact through the Accelerating to Zero grant program, which funds Halifax-area organizations seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an inclusive, net-zero future. HCi3 formally awarded the 2023 grants to 14 recipients at today’s funding announcement.
HCi3’s work, including its grant program, supports the ambitious climate change plans laid out by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Today’s provincial contribution builds on $18 million provided by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund to establish HCi3 as part of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) Network.
The 2023 Accelerating to Zero Grant Program is the second round of funding HCi3 has awarded since fully starting operations in 2021. The program provides grants of up to $50,000 to innovative projects that help Halifax/Kjipuktuk move towards an inclusive net-zero future by 2050. HCi3 takes a “multi-solving” approach, seeking to advance a low carbon transition while also contributing to social equity, reconciliation, and community benefit. See the list of 2023 grant recipients here.
Quotes:
“Everyone has a role to play in fighting climate change. Our investment in HCi3 projects means community leaders in Halifax Regional Municipality can make a real difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which helps move this city and our province toward net-zero.”
Hon. Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables.
“After two years of operations, HCi3 has supported twenty-five projects focused on local greenhouse gas reductions, community benefit and social equity. Halifax is a leader in climate action, and we will be accelerating our impact this year and for years to come through this generous provincial contribution.”
Stephen MacDonald, CEO, HCi3.
“Climate action begins right here in our community. Today’s provincial contribution builds on $18 million provided by the Government of Canada and while establishing HCi3 as part of the Low Carbon Cities Canada Network. This is how we build a sustainable and prosperous future, together.”
Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Halifax is a leader in climate change action and meeting the challenge before us means being responsive to new ideas that will help our community meet its net-zero commitments. This funding will help us move toward a more resilient future.”
Mayor Mike Savage, Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality
“Bringing clean energy to equity-deserving communities is opening the door to inclusivity, innovation, and education for the historically marginalized community of Uniacke Square. Black, indigenous, and children of color do not get to see this technology very often. Talking about the environment and the ways they can be a part of the healing and restoration of the earth is not common in our community, or any community where essential needs are not met. Through our Green Labs, we make learning about environmental stewardship fun and accessible. We want to see the most vulnerable communities to climate change being a part of the conversation through experiential education from an early age, and by making the community more resilient.”
Veronica Gutierrez, Manager of Growth and Sustainability, Hope Blooms.
“HCi3’s commitment to the net-zero economy is in synergy with Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction plan. This grant is helping projects like ours deploy clean transportation on local university campuses and offer economic development opportunities in the communities. We are thrilled to be working with HCi3 to roll out this innovative project.”
Ravi Kempaiah, Co-founder, Zen Energy Inc.
About the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund
The Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund seeks to invest in a net-zero Halifax/Kjipuktuk for everyone as part of Canada’s goal to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. HCi3 is helping Halifax/Kjipuktuk reach its full emissions reduction potential while also promoting equity and reconciliation and unlocking shared benefits for local communities.
HCi3 is a not-for-profit organization established as a wholly owned subsidiary of EfficiencyOne, a national leader in the design and delivery of energy efficiency programs and services in Nova Scotia.
HCi3 is a member of Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) – a collaboration among seven local LC3 centres and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund established through a generous contribution from the Government of Canada.
About Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth
You can learn more about the province’s climate change plan, Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth, here.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Janet Tobin
Communication Lead
902-499-6494
jtobin@efficiencyone.com