The Low Carbon Economy Fund

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) is an important part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (the Framework).

The LCEF supports the Framework by leveraging investments in projects that will:

Generate clean growth
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Help meet or exceed Canada's Paris Agreement commitments

The LCEF is helping to:

Create jobs for Canadians for years to come
Deliver clean, sustained growth
Support innovation
Reduce energy bills

The LCEF has two parts: the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund and the Low Carbon Economy Challenge. The Low Carbon Economy Challenge is awarding over $500 million to projects across Canada that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and generate clean growth. Several examples of projects funded through the Low Carbon Economy Challenge are described below. More information about the Fund is available online.

Low Carbon Economy Challenge Project Highlights

City of Winnipeg Landfill Gas Expansion

The City of Winnipeg received an up to $1.3 million award to expand the Brady Road Resource Management Facility landfill gas capture system. This landfill is the second largest single-point emitter of GHG emissions in Manitoba. Expanding the landfill gas system is expected to increase the efficiency from 48 to 75 percent and prevent 1,580 tons of methane (39,500 tons of CO₂e) from being released into the atmosphere each year. This project is a key contributor towards reducing waste-related emissions identified in Winnipeg's Climate Action Plan and represents a key opportunity for federal and municipal governments to collaborate on climate action.

How Canada is Measuring Effectiveness

Methane emissions from landfills are included in the annual publication of Canada's National Inventory Report. This inventory accounts for avoided emissions from landfill through landfill gas collection.

Enwave Energy Corporation Prince Edward Island

Enwave Energy Corporation received an up to $3.5 million award to upgrade and expand the 35-year-old system that uses waste to produce energy for Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI). The upgrades will include a larger furnace, a heat recovery boiler, and controls to reduce air pollution. This project will divert an additional 23,000 tons of organic waste from landfills annually, which will prevent 235 tonnes of methane (5,909 tons of CO₂e) from being emitted by the waste sector. The facility will also increase annual energy production to the Charlottetown District Energy System, which will reduce heating fuel oil consumption by 79 percent and help achieve additional reductions in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions.

How Canada is Measuring Effectiveness

Waste diversion in PEI is tracked by the Island Waste Management Corporation. Increased diversion of organics from landfills will be reflected in estimated methane emissions in Canada's National Inventory Report.

City of Regina Landfill Gas Capture Expansion

City of Regina, Saskatchewan

Through the Low Carbon Economy Challenge, the City of Regina received an up to $1.3 million award to help expand its landfill gas collection system by installing up to 30 new gas wells and associated infrastructure. This expansion is expected to capture 1,508 total tons of methane (37,720 tons CO₂e) annually.

How Canada is Measuring Effectiveness

Methane emissions from landfills are included in the annual publication of Canada's National Inventory Report. This inventory accounts for avoided emissions from landfills through landfill gas collection.

ReGenerate Biogas On-site Microdigesters

Through the Low Carbon Economy Challenge, Regenerate Biogas Inc. received a $2.7 million award to install digester technology across five Canadian facilities. These digestors will create biogas through processing the organic waste, which in turn will be used onsite to offset natural gas use. This project is expected to divert 23,730 tons of waste from landfills annually, which will reduce the amount of methane emitted. Furthermore, the biogas created through this project will be directly consumed to offset natural gas use on site, further lowering GHG emissions.