Green Infrastructure

Overview

Under the federal government's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, Alberta is receiving $1.25 billion for green infrastructure projects over the next 10 years (2018-28).

Eligible organizations can apply for funding for projects that support the following sub-streams:

• climate change mitigation
• adaptation, resilience and disaster mitigation
• environmental quality

Program Guidelines (PDF, 207 KB) provide further information about ICIP.

Eligible projects

Climate change mitigation sub-stream

Investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Eligible projects must meet at least one of the following outcomes:

• increased capacity to manage more renewable energy
• increased access to clean energy transportation
• increased energy efficiency of buildings
• increased generation of clean energy

Eligible projects include:

• community and recreation centres incorporating green improvements, solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal and biofuels
• public transit projects which contribute to reduced GHG emissions are eligible under certain conditions

Ineligible projects:

• inter-city bus, rail, port and ferry infrastructure that are not part of a public transit system
• energy retrofit projects, with some exceptions
• emergency services infrastructure

Adaptation, resilience and disaster mitigation sub-stream

Investments to help organizations adapt and withstand climate change impacts, natural disasters and extreme weather events.

Eligible projects must meet at least one of the following outcomes:

• increased structural or natural capacity to adapt to climate change impacts, natural disasters and/or extreme weather events

Eligible projects include:

• dams or dykes
• rehabilitated or artificial wetlands
• green roofs

Ineligible projects:

• relocation of whole communities
• projects addressing seismic risks
• all emergency services infrastructure

Environmental quality sub-stream

Investments resulting in increased capacity to treat and manage water and wastewater, or to reduce or remediate soil or air pollution.

Eligible projects must meet at least one of the following outcomes:

• increased capacity to treat and/or manage wastewater and stormwater
• increased access to potable water
• increased capacity to reduce and/or remediate soil and/or air pollutants

Eligible projects include:

• water and wastewater treatment plants
• replacement of diesel storage tanks
• reduction of the environmental impact of landfills

Cost sharing

The federal government will cost share eligible projects up to the following:

• 40% for municipal and not-for-profit partners
• 50% for provincial projects
• 75% for projects with Indigenous partners
• 25% for private sector, for-profit partners (when eligible)

Please note that municipal projects funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program require a provincial cost-share of 33.33%.

Eligible applicants

• Municipal government
• Public sector body that is established by or under provincial statute or by regulation or is wholly-owned by Alberta, or a municipal government
• Not-for-profit organizations
• When working in collaboration with a municipality, a public or not-for-profit institution that is directly or indirectly authorized, under the terms of provincial or federal statute, or royal charter, to deliver post-secondary courses or programs that lead to recognized and transferable post-secondary credentials
• For-profit organizations, when working in collaboration with one or more of the entities referred to above or an Indigenous government listed below
• The following Indigenous Ultimate Recipients:
  • a band council within the meaning of section 2 of the Indian Act
  • a First Nation, Inuit or Métis government or authority established pursuant to a self-government agreement or a comprehensive land claim agreement between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada and an Indigenous people of Canada, that has been approved, given effect and declared valid by federal legislation
  • a First Nation, Inuit or Métis government that is established by or under legislation whether federal or provincial that incorporates a governance structure
  • a not-for-profit organization whose central mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes, working in collaboration with one or more of the Indigenous entities referred to above, a municipality, or Alberta

Important to know

The province will use information provided in the Expression of Interest to prioritize projects for submission to the federal government. Submissions will be reviewed to determine eligibility and assess the project for:

• alignment with Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program outcomes
• anticipated social, economic and environmental benefits
• impact on community and stakeholder identified needs
• project readiness, including the amount of funding secured and the level of planning that has occurred
• the applicant’s capacity to manage the project
• alignment with Government of Alberta priorities

Climate assessments

All projects with total eligible costs over $10 million and select green infrastructure projects will require climate assessments as part of the project submission process. This includes a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Assessment and the Climate Change Resilience Assessment.

When applicable, all funding applications will be judged, in part, on criteria required by the Government of Canada's Climate Lens.

More details will be shared with eligible applicants.

After you apply

After applying:

• the province will review projects for program eligibility, provincial priority and to ensure that cost-share requirements are met
• the province will identify projects to be submitted to the federal government for final approval
• project applicants will be invited to complete a federal application form

Please note that any expenditures related to contracts signed prior to federal approval, except for costs related to completing a Climate Lens Assessment, are ineligible for ICIP funding.

Reporting requirements

All projects with total eligible costs over $25 million will be required to report on Community Employment Benefits generated by the project.

This requirement is intended to increase employment opportunities for the following targeted groups in the construction industry and related sectors: apprentices, Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, youth, new Canadians, or small-sized, medium sized and social enterprises.

More details will be shared with eligible applicants.

Related grant programs

These grants may be used as potential sources of funding to fulfil provincial cost share requirements.

Alberta Community Resilience program

This multi-year, provincial grant helps communities develop long-term resilience to flood and drought effects to protect critical infrastructure and public safety.

Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program

Aims to improve natural watershed function to build resilience to droughts and floods through conservation, education and stewardship, research and data, and restoration and enhancement.

Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership

Provides cost-shared funding to eligible smaller municipalities to help construct water supply and treatment facilities and wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.

Water for Life

Supports the development of new regional water and wastewater systems, which are more cost-effective and/or environmentally desirable than independent systems.

Contact

Email: alberta.icip@gov.ab.ca