Climate Challenge Fund Projects
The Climate Challenge Fund program has provided support for projects by organizations from across the province, including businesses, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and academic research institutions. Funded projects are working to reduce and remove greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate through education, research and innovation.
Which organizations received funding from the Climate Challenge Fund in 2022-23?
Canadian Home Builders’ Association (PEI) Inc. - $100,000 for Energy Efficient Boot Camp for Consumers
Description: Whether it is renovating or building a new home, most consumers in PEI do not know what they should do when it comes to upgrading energy efficiency for their homes. In a series of free sessions, homeowners will be given a Building Science 101 Course instructing on everything from foundations to attic insulation and everything in between. A Boot Camp will help consumers understand the “House as a System” approach, how a house performs, how construction and renovation planning can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help the environment, create more comfortable living spaces, and save hundreds of dollars from being wasted in escaping energy.
Clean Foundation - $98,492 for Island Climate Action – Advancing Municipalities’ Solutions on Climate Change
Description: Small towns and rural municipalities are on the front lines of climate change. The commitment to take action is there, but it can be limited by a lack of capacity, resources, and time. This project will equip rural municipalities on PEI with the tools and skills to promote solutions on climate change. Based on Clean Foundation’s successful work with rural municipalities in Nova Scotia, this project will make climate action planning accessible and actionable. Rural municipalities in PEI have unique challenges; they are often under-staffed and under-resourced. But there is an opportunity for communities to collaborate creatively, implementing small changes to make a big impact. Clean will work with three municipalities to address their priority climate actions. Through capacity-building workshops, support with planning and proposal writing, and seed funding, participating Island communities will be better prepared to launch and succeed with their priority mitigation, adaptation, and education activities.
Dalhousie University (Agricultural College, Truro) - $100,000 for Assessment of inclusion of Kelp (shore weed) as a feed supplement in dairy and beef cattle diet to mitigate methane and increase the resilience of livestock industries
Description: The agriculture sector accounts for 9% of the total GHG emissions in Canada and 26% on Prince Edward Island of which beef and dairy cattle have the greatest contributions through their enteric fermentation and methane emissions. Storm-tossed kelp (shore weeds) is harvested and processed by North Atlantic Organics and fed to the ruminant animals in the Atlantic region to promote health, production, and reproduction performance of cows though there is limited data available to confirm these potentials. Methane mitigation potential of kelp has been identified in the lab; however, this potential has not been confirmed using live animals. In this project, we will assess the effect of kelp inclusion in the diet of dairy/beef cows on methane mitigation and on animals’ production, health, and reproductive performance. This data will inform the development of agri-environmental policy and programs to mitigate GHG emissions on PEI and other provinces.
Net Zero Atlantic (NZA) - $98,696 for Supporting PEI’s transition to net-zero emissions through energy system modelling
Description: The path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040 in PEI is both time- and resource-constrained. Energy system models can be used in this context to compare climate change mitigation options and strategically plan for meeting climate change goals through cost-effective and timely means. Motivated by these circumstances, NZA is building an open-source energy system model for PEI and other Atlantic Canadian provinces. The Atlantic Canada Energy System (ACES) model will serve as a shared tool for answering questions about the future of our region’s energy system. Net Zero Atlantic is proposing to engage with PEI stakeholders and to localize and improve the ACES model’s representation of GHG emissions and mitigation options in PEI. These efforts will make ACES better suited to the interests and needs of PEI stakeholders as well as build capacity in energy system modelling and climate change mitigation in PEI.
PEI Certified Organic Producers Cooperative (PEI COPC) - $100,000 for Farming Carbon: Accessing carbon credits through biochar to finance soil-first organic farming
Description: Innovation in agricultural practices is increasingly required to regenerate the stocks of soil carbon that have been depleted over decades of land-use intensification. Restoring soil carbon also constitutes one of our largest carbon sequestration opportunities, and largely due to net zero commitments, financing for sustainable agriculture is increasingly available through carbon credits. Using soils as a carbon reservoir also pairs strategically well with bioenergy pathways that yield nutrient and carbon rich byproducts for integration with farming practices for soil health benefits. Biochar is one such product, providing a technological avenue to rapidly and directly inject soils with organic matter, priming them for protracted increases in soil carbon and healthier levels of microbial activity over time. The PEI Certified Organic Producers Cooperative aims to integrate biochar application, at a large scale, into local organic farming regimes and establish the verifiable methodology needed to access carbon credit financing.
Prince Edward Island Invasive Species Council (PEIISC) - $66,797 for Mitigating Ecosystem Impacts of Climate Change by Monitoring and Managing Invasive Species
Description: Climate change is anticipated to cause the decline of white spruce, balsam fir, and white birch across Prince Edward Island (PEI) creating conditions ideal for the expansion of opportunistic invasive species. Invasive species can dramatically alter ecosystem processes, including those that affect carbon sequestration. There is an immediate need to broaden our understanding of invasive species on PEI and their influence on ecosystem carbon sequestration, monitor for changes and the introduction of new species, and manage current invasive species populations. This project will (1) Develop a standard province wide monitoring strategy for invasive species, tracking existing and emerging threats and monitoring for species with a high probability of future establishment. Early detection can prevent large ecologically and economically harmful infestations and protect wildlife habitat. And (2) control invasive species at the early stages of infestation (i.e. giant hogweed) and manage populations to contain or reduce impacts.
Scout Environmental - $99,000 for Reducing our Risks – a digital climate change journey for Islanders
Description: Climate change is a global issue, with unique local impacts and mitigation strategies. Scout is proposing to help Islanders better understand local risks, as well as empower them to take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on their homes and communities, all online. We will create an interactive digital tool, or “journey” that educates PEI residents on the increasing impacts climate change will have on them, their household, and members of their community. Building on the important research reported in the 2021 Climate Change Risk Assessment, Scout will work with local partners to adapt and deliver information that is personally engaging, locally relevant and immediately actionable by the general public. Our project will allow Islanders to learn, share resources, and take measurable action to reduce their risks from climate change.
Sentry: Water Monitoring and Control Inc. - $100,000 for Wastewater Optimization to Reduce Energy and Provide Environmental and Economic Benefits to the Community
Description: Wastewater treatment is one of the largest uses of energy for municipalities (approximately 35%) and accounts for 1% of total energy use globally. As we get smarter about wastewater quality, we will be able to treat it with minimal energy. That means real time control based on a real time signal is the key to adapting wastewater treatment plants for climate resilience. Through using the SENTRY signal at various points of the plant Charlottetown Pollution Control Plant will be able to reduce its energy burden by 10-40% based on current operational baseline. That translates into real dollar and energy savings that support our move towards adaptation meaning as the population and economy of PEI grows, the infrastructure needed to support it can adapt.
Town of Three Rivers - $100,000 for Reception Centers for Three Rivers
Description: The Proposed project is to establish two community Reception Centers, one to be located in Montague and one in Georgetown, to be used as a cooling/ warming room in preparation for more frequent heat stress events and for essential services during extended power outages due to extreme weather events or other disasters. Providing information and services so residents have a safe haven with valuable communication at stressful times. Two locations are necessary in a population where public transit is not readily available, and a large majority of the population are aged and live with a modest income. We aim to easily accommodate a large number of the Three Rivers Population.
UPEI, Centre for Health and Community Research - $100,000 for Engaging Islanders in mapping climate-related social and health factors to build resilience to climate change on PEI
Description: Engaging Islanders in mapping climate-related social and health factors is necessary to build resilience to climate change. Communities facing health and social challenges are the first affected and the hardest hit by our changing climate. Challenges such as poverty, marginalization, inadequate housing, poor health status, and lack of access to services must be addressed to develop effective climate adaptation plans. The CCRA highlights the need for quantitative data to better understand the differential impacts of climate-related risks and facilitate a coordinated cross-sectoral response. Our project will engage the public and decision-makers to explore the use of high-quality data to identify populations that disproportionately experience the negative impacts of climate change and determine the best way to visualize the results for public use. The process and outcomes of this project will empower community members to adapt to the changing climate and build more resilient communities together.
UPEI, Sustainable Design Engineering - $99,500 for Sustainable Agriculture Practices to Improve Crop Productivity and Mitigate Climate Change – Phase-II
Description: Organic soil amendments can enhance carbon sequestration, improve soil health, increase crop yield, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural soils. This project explores “community biodigesters” that use agricultural/aquaculture/forestry/community wastes to produce green energy and soil organic amendments. During Phase-I (ongoing) of this project, plot-scale trials are being conducted to choose the best soil amendment among biodigestate and biochar. During Phase-II (the current proposal), different application rates of the best soil amendment will be evaluated to formulate agricultural management practices for economically viable and environmentally friendly potato production in Atlantic Canada with goals of addressing climate change and adaptation issues relating to agriculture, such as GHG emissions and poor soil health with low soil organic matter (SOM). The project aims at formulating sustainable agricultural practices that adapt to climate change, improve soil health by increasing its SOM and increase carbon sequestration and potato yield without deteriorating the environment.
UPEI, Sustainable Design Engineering - $97,300 for Life Cycle Assessment and Asset Integrity Management of Wind Turbines
Description: Wind turbines are a critical element for our transition to renewable energy technology systems (RETS) and the reduction of Prince Edwards Island’s climate footprint. This project focuses on the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of multiple scenarios as wind turbines approach their end-of-life and will communicate the benefit that RETS have on reducing our contribution to global warming. Here we define sustainability as minimizing the negative impacts of a system while promoting its positive contributions in terms of environmental, social, and economic metrics. We will be working with the Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) to examine the case for the sustainable extension of the life of wind turbines and examine how stakeholder engagement can increase the sustainability of engineering projects. PEI leads the country in percentage of wind energy contribution to the grid and can set an example by including stakeholders in the strategic and sustainable management of RETS.
Waterlution - $100,000 for Water Innovation Lab Atlantic 2022 (WIL Atlantic)
Description: WIL-Atlantic is a multi-phase capacity building and innovation acceleration initiative involving 100 young future water leaders (50 from PEI, 30 non-PEI Canadians and 20 global) who together will increase PEI’s adaptability, resilience, and innovation leadership in the face of climate change. The program combines leadership and skills training (scenario planning, trade-off analysis, stakeholder facilitation, adaptation leadership, change management, complex problem-solving, artistic practice for engagement) with on-the-land knowledge sharing from indigenous knowledge holders and water-dependent industries (farming and fisheries) so as to stimulate and accelerate innovative climate change solution-making. As skills are developed, innovation teams will create projects that tackle one of three core themes: rising sea levels and coastal erosion of island communities, flooding and water insecurity from changing weather events, and species impacts (crops and aquatic life). Extensions to the core program include participatory community-wide engagement and community-centric K-12 climate change curricular resources.
Wind Energy Institute of Canada - $99,990 for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation through Improved Climate and Renewable Energy Data and Sharing
Description: The Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) will take advantage of our long history of expertise in meteorological data and renewable energy assets, as well as our recently commissioned Climate Monitoring Facility, funded by the Climate Challenge Fund in partnership with the University of Prince Edward Island Climate Research Laboratory (UPEI-CRL), to improve climate change adaptation and mitigation through improved climate data and sharing and improved renewable energy efficiency. The goals of this project are to: 1. Improve knowledge of climate change by enhancing the WEICan/UPEI-CRL Climate Monitoring Facility with additional instrumentation 2. Prepare for changing weather patterns by understanding and increasing the efficiency/reducing downtime of renewable energy infrastructure installed in PEI 3. Improve knowledge sharing of climate change and adaptation by creating a website to share data from the climate monitoring facility as well as similar units that have been placed throughout the island with all stakeholders.
Which organizations previously received funding from the Climate Challenge Fund?
Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association - $19,800 for Summerside Rainwater Harvesting Campaign. (2021)
Island Nature Trust in partnership with the Sustainable Forest Alliance - $100,000 for restoring and measuring resilience of carbon rich Island lands through nature-based strategies. (2021)
Lennox Island First Nation - $80,190 for Netukulimk Education Program (Learning to take only what we need). (2021)
Maritime Electric Company - $56,845 for climate risk assessment and adaptation plan for transmission and distribution assets. (2021)
North Shore Fisherman’s Association - $75,150 for climate change impacts to sediment transport at select small craft harbours. (2021)
PEI Federation of Agriculture in partnership with the City of Charlottetown - $47,700 for Charlottetown Food Recovery Network. (2021)
PEI Watershed Alliance in partnership with the Glenaladale Heritage Trust Foundation - $100,000 for supporting climate-resilient ecosystems in PEI. (2021)
RE-FUEL Renewable Fuels Inc. in partnership with Aspin Kemp & Associates - $100,000 for green hydrogen: power to gas with C02 direct air capture. (2021)
Saint Mary’s University - $100,000 for PEI shoreline assessment and ecosystem services tool for nature-based climate change adaptation. (2021)
Smart Grocery Store Inc. - $100,000 for Monsieur Vrac plastic reduction. (2021)
Southern Kings and Queens Fisherman’s Association - $55,319 for climate change risk assessment of PEI lobster fishery. (2021)
The River Clyde Pageant - $91,350 for River Clyde Pageant sustainable community initiatives 2021 and 2022. (2021)
Town of Stratford - $32,550 for an inventory of Stratford’s urban forest, assessments of natural areas and the creation of a management plan for Stratford’s natural areas.(2021)
Wheatley River Improvement Group Inc. - $65,855 to increase the resiliency of Wheatley River brook trout by mitigating current inputs of sediment to the river, stabilizing the riverbank, restoring deep-water refuges and improving the canopy cover along the river. (2021)
BIPOC USHR – $100,000 to actively address inequities and discrimination that are generated or augmented by climate change and work to ensure discrimination is considered when addressing climate change. (2020)
Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) – $99,400 to explore sustainable agriculture practices to improve crop productivity and mitigate climate change. (2020)
The City of Charlottetown - $87,150 to support resilient homes, parks and people to adapt to increasing flooding and storm surges. (2020)
All EV PEI – $99,382 to provide an education, outreach, and experiential program province-wide to residents and businesses on the climate and ownership benefits of electric vehicles. (2020)
Indigenous Art of North America - $15,000 to create a carbon accounting platform for small businesses to provide product and service carbon weight data that can be shared publicly. The assumption is that, by being transparent in reporting; Indigenous Art of North America can create a competitive advantage by improving consumer knowledge of climate change. (2020)
The PEI Aquaculture Alliance - $19,652 to measure the carbon offsets of Prince Edward Island Mussel and Oyster Aquaculture. (2020)
The Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group - $16,047 to create of a multi- tier living shoreline demo site. Living shorelines are a soft engineering approach used to stabilize shorelines and slow down the effects of erosion by creating a shoreline that can better withstand wave energy and storms. (2020)
P.E.I Grass Fed Farms - $58,000 to further develop a hydroponic fodder system that produces reliable food source year round for cattle while also decreasing impacts during drought and winter seasons; protecting land from being cleared; and reducing emissions relating to traditional processes which involve tilling, seeding, chopping and bailing. (2020)
Upcycle Green Technology - $100,000 to support its Electric Converted Remanufactured Vehicle (ECRV) project. The project intends to reduce CO2 emission by replacing the combustion engine drivetrain of a used vehicle with an all-electric one. (2020)
The Town of Stratford - $28,700 to support a town-wide street tree planting program. It will bring much-needed trees to Stratford’s communities and would contribute to residents’ understanding and appreciation for the urban forest. (2020)
Rural Municipality of Wellington - $32,925 to install a Lift Station power generator on Mont-Carmel Road to allow for continued sewage collection service during long power interruptions due to severe climate events. (2020)
Wind Energy Institute of Canada - $100,000 to work with UPEI’s Climate Research Laboratory to create a climate monitoring facility, including a meteorological tower just north of WEICan’s existing electrical substation. This tower will provide the infrastructure for long-term climate change observations and experiments. (2020)
Redrock Power Systems - $80,967 to obtain approval in principal for the design of a new zero emission, hydrogen-fueled power system that could be used in marine, trucking or aerospace industries. Called HyCmax, this zero- emission, hydrogen-fueled power system combines leading edge fuel cell and battery technology. (2020)
The Department of Psychology at UPEI - $24,965 to develop of a tool to assess climate change anxiety. (2020)
The School of Climate Change and Adaptation at UPEI - $100,000 to develop 1km x 1km high-resolution regional climate scenarios for Prince Edward Island. Developing reliable and high-resolution climate projections for PEI will help local stakeholders and resource managers can make scientifically-sound decisions. (2020)
Where can I find more information about the Climate Challenge Fund?
Visit Apply to the Climate Challenge Fund for more information about application requirements and to apply to the fund.