Carbon-Free Colchester

Location County of Colchester, NS, Canada
Client Municipality of the County of Colchester
Client Type Municipal Government
Population (2016) 50,585
Schedule June 2020 – December 2021

The County of Colchester is located in the north central region of the province of Nova Scotia (total area of 3,628 square kilometres). The majority of the county is governed by the Municipality of the County of Colchester, with the exception of two towns (Stewiacke and Truro) and the First Nations community of Millbrook. Colchester’s population is expected to grow slowly over the next 30 years.

Project Objective

In response to climate change, Colchester initiated Carbon-Free Colchester, a community energy and emissions plan to transition the municipality to renewable energy and to reduce Colchester’s GHG emissions. Carbon-Free Colchester builds upon previous work by the municipality, including the Sustainable Colchester 2029 plan. Carbon-Free Colchester outlines the measures the Municipality, businesses, and residents need to take to achieve deep emissions reductions, and achieve the target of producing net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. The plan also explores how these measures can be funded, their economic benefits, and the governance structure and policies required for success.

Outcomes

Actions required for achieving Carbon-free Colchester were identified through a combination of best practice research, industry plans and innovation expectations, and consultation with the municipality, members of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, and members of the public. 

These actions fall into five key areas:

1. Affordable, zero-emissions buildings
2. Zero-emissions transportation
3. Renewable energy for everyone
4. An empowered community
5. A path to zero for business

Analysis showed that implementing these actions,  would lead to a 92% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050. The remaining emissions stem from livestock, residual fuel oil, diesel use, and landfill organic matter decomposition. Based on cost savings and avoided maintenance costs, combined with anticipated revenue, the implementation of the plan would results in a net financial benefit to the community of $2.23 billion.  The plan would also generate jobs by adding 20,200 ‘person-years of employment.’

Services: Climate action planning

Tools: City energy and emissions model for the US

Link to final report.

Read more: The SaltWire reported on the release of Carbon-Free Colchester in their piece Carbon-free Colchester by 2050: Plan outlines rural energy and transportation potential