First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Project

This three-year project seeks to accelerate opportunities for First Nations in BC, including rural and remote communities, to access safe, affordable, and reliable low-carbon and active transportation.

BCAFN Resolution 12/2023

Background

• Access to safe and effective transportation impacts First Nations’ human rights, including socio-economic well-being, human security, and First Nations’ inherent, constitutionally protected and Treaty rights, particularly for the many communities located in remote areas of BC.
• Safety is central to transportation. First Nations people, especially women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, are at a much higher risk of violence, contributing to the ongoing MMIWG2S+ crisis. Further, the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+ Calls for Justice contains specific calls about safe and affordable transit and transportation services (CFJ 4.8, CFJ 8.1).
• In recent years, dramatic events and climate-related disasters have further exposed the fragile and inequitable access to transportation experienced by First Nations in BC. Access to transportation is critical to building resilience in the face of pandemics and climate-related disasters. It is also urgent to reduce GHG emissions and address climate mitigation, considering the transportation sector emits the highest amount of CO2 in BC (42% of the total BC GHG emissions).
• In 2022, the Chiefs-in-Assembly of the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) organizations supported and endorsed the BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan (Resolutions: BCAFN 6/2022, UBCIC #2022-04 and FNS #0222.06), which identifies key actions towards achieving clean transportation with First Nations.

Objectives

• Assessing gaps and opportunities that restrict and assist First Nations in BC to access equitable, safe, reliable, and affordable low-carbon transportation and transportation services; and providing recommendations for legislation, policy and program reform to advance these goals.
• Strengthening community capacity and climate awareness in five First Nations communities through developing low-carbon transportation plans.
• Developing a comprehensive tool for First Nations communities in BC to plan and engage in actions to improve community members’ access to safe, reliable, and affordable low-carbon transportation.

Pilot Projects

The BCAFN is accepting Expressions of Interest for five (5) First Nations communities to participate in Community-Led Low-Carbon Transportation Pilot Projects. Each selected First Nation community will lead the creation of its own self-determined Low-Carbon Transportation Plan, responding to the specific needs, realities and priorities within their respective community. Selected First Nation communities will receive up to $65,000 in flexible funding to support the creation of their Low-Carbon Transportation Plan and Gap Analysis Report. Applications are due by August 14, 2023. 

Questions: Please direct any questions to Kristi Denby, Environment Policy Analyst

EOI FN Community-Led Low-Carbon Transportation Pilot Projects

Application Form - EOI FN Community-Led Low-Carbon Transportation Pilot Projects

Key Activities

• RESEARCH INTERNSHIP: BCAFN has secured a Master’s student to complete a 250-hour research internship through the UBC Sustainability Scholars Program. The research internship project aims to contribute baseline research and analysis on transportation and low-carbon transportation legislation, policies, programs and funding opportunities for First Nations in BC.
• TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT REPORT (TAR): This report will outline barriers and opportunities and provide recommendations to address gaps and strengthen opportunities to ensure that First Nations across BC have equitable access to transportation.
• FIVE (5) PILOT PROJECTS: BCAFN will undertake five pilot projects in communities that are representative of the diversity of realities First Nations face related to transportation across BC (coastal, remote and urban). BCAFN will support each pilot community in developing its low-carbon transportation plan to respond to each Nation’s specific needs, realities and priorities. The pilot projects also include a Gap Analysis Report.
• FIRST NATIONS LOW-CARBON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GUIDE: BCAFN will develop the guide through an iterative process with the five community-led First Nations pilot projects. The guide intends to support all First Nations communities in developing their transportation plans.
• ENGAGEMENT: Engage First Nations governments, Crown governments and relevant partners to discuss the findings and recommendations addressed in the TAR and seek support to implement the recommendations.

Phases