The CitiesIPCC Legacy Research Grant Program is a natural extension of Alberta Ecotrust’s partnership with the City of Edmonton and its Change for Climate initiative. With a diverse committee of subject matter experts from academia, consulting firms, environmental nonprofits, and government, the CitiesIPCC Legacy Research Grant Program awarded nearly $200,000 to four research projects.
This inaugural year of research grants will help advance knowledge about how Edmonton can become an energy sustainable and climate resilient city. Alberta Ecotrust is pleased to be supporting this work that aligns so well with our vision of healthy ecosystems for all Albertans.
Meet the 2019 recipients of the CitiesIPCC Legacy Research Grant Program:
Climate Change, Older Adults & Immigrants: Exploring Community Vulnerability & Resilience
Dr. Shelby Yamamoto & Dr. Jordana Salma from the University of Alberta School of Public Health
Vulnerable populations are a critical consideration when developing municipal climate change plans. With estimates of life expectancy continuing to increase, an aging baby-boom generation, and rising levels of immigration to large metropolitan centers, action must be taken to assure the well-being of older adult and immigrant populations. Evidence from this study will help to inform a wide variety of climate change and healthy aging initiatives to protect the well-being of Edmontonians , (e.g. urban planning, infrastructure, household readiness, emergency services, transportation).
Dr. Karim El-Basyouny, Dr. Tae Kwon & Rachelle Foss from the University of Alberta Faculty of Engineering
The Edmonton river valley, which is the largest stretch of parkland in a North American city, runs directly through the urban area. In addition, increased use of the city’s green spaces adds to the potential threat of fires caused by human activity that may burn out of control due to higher temperatures and lower levels of precipitation. Coupled with the proximity of the river valley to both residential and commercial areas, the need for a fire-risk modeling and a comprehensive emergency response plan are significant to ensuring Edmonton is a climate resilient city. The researchers will determine the canopy and volume of undergrowth that acts as a key ignition source and develop a fire-risk model that will offer decision-making support to the City of Edmonton.
Dr. David Sauchyn, Samatha Kerr & Yuliya Andreichuk from the University of Regina Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative
From a range of future projections, the researchers will identify the climate risks to municipal infrastructure and public services specific to Edmonton in terms of the probability and consequences of exceeding critical thresholds in weather and water variables. They will provide guidelines for translating climate predictions and their uncertainty for engineering and planning applications. They will also analyze the sources to explain differences among climate projections.
Urban Transport Partnerships: Last Mile Solutions & Electrification
Vincent Morales, Binnu Jeyakumar & Janelle Lee from the Pembina Institute
Nearly one third of Edmonton’s green house gas emissions are from transportation. Last mile solutions for urban freight growth, increasing e-commerce activity, and the growing customer demands for faster deliveries have put tremendous pressure on retailers and delivery service companies to transport goods to customers. This pressure is compounded by the challenges of conducting last-mile deliveries in congested major urban centres, curbside competition, lagging freight and goods movement planning, and rising land costs. This research will investigate opportunities for efficiencies in urban freight, opportunities to decarbonize urban freight, and the role of utilities in enabling electrification of both urban freight vehicles as well as passenger vehicles.