Sam | CHRM Consulting

Consumption-based solutions – report and tool

Sam — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:40:38 +0000

Consumption-based Solutions for Climate Action Guide

This new resource provides guidance on how BC communities can “Shrink, Share, & Regenerate” to act on their consumption-based emissions and ecological footprints, while also enhancing community well-being. These solutions are needed now more than ever, as we face accelerating geopolitical challenges and planetary crises.

The guide contains:

A Framework for Action: A practical approach to shrink (reduce footprint impacts), share (advance equity), and regenerate (restore nature) across five key leverage points: community planning, buildings, transportation, food, and consumable goods.
Key Priorities: Actionable ideas grounded in the typical ecological and carbon footprints of BC communities.
Getting Started: Step-by-step guidance on implementing these strategies, along with sample metrics to help communities track their progress.

Access the Consumption-based Solutions for Climate Action Guide here.

CBEI and EF Archetype Tool for BC Communities

This new tool provides estimates of consumption-based emission inventories (CBEI) and ecological footprints (EF) for most BC communities and regional districts from 2011-2023. It also includes a typical breakdown of a CBEI for Food, Buildings, Consumables and Waste, and Transportation.

Access the Archetype Tool here.

Webinar: Role of Cities in Advancing Sustainable Lifestyles

Sam — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:50:30 +0000

Recently, we hosted an Ecocity Webinar titled “The Role of Cities in Advancing Sustainable Lifestyles”. The webinar explored how local governments and their partners can advance sustainable lifestyles to act on climate, justice, and biodiversity. These lifestyle changes, supported by the right policies, infrastructure and technologies, will be pivotal in the transformative change needed to address our climate and ecological challenges. The good news is that these changes will also improve our health and well-being.

Guest speakers included: Vanessa Timmer, Executive Director, OneEarth Living & Blake Robinson, Urban Futures Studio, Utrecht University.

View the webinar here.

Resources shared during the webinar include:

IMAGE Sustainable Lifestyle (Utrecht University & OneEarth Living): This project is developing qualitative modelling and compelling visions and narratives of alternative future sustainable lifestyle scenarios.
Cities Stockholm+50 High-Level Forum on sustainable consumption – Wednesday 1 June 2022 (recording): This was one of the first global city events to debate the systemic importance of consumption-based emissions and cities.
Carbon footprint misconceptions (Ipsos): The latest Perils of Perception study by Ipsos looks at how the general public in 30 markets around the world perceive environmental action; revealing many misconceptions.
Motivations for Lighter Living (OneEarth Living): a resource guide based on studies that reveal dominant motivations for “smart consumption” to help mainstream lighter living actions.

These resources can be used to learn how to shape and tailor sustainable lifestyles messages for different audiences and contexts as well as strategies for generating internal alignment and engaging the public:

In the news: the Greater Victoria 2030 District

Sam — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 16:39:51 +0000

Check out this recent article on the Greater Victoria 2030 District in Victoria News and Saanich News! It profiles our work and highlights a few District buildings, like the Bay Centre, The Hudson, and the Atrium.

The article highlights the progress that the District buildings have made to date.

Interview: CBC’s On the Island

Sam — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 16:37:57 +0000

This morning, Cora Hallsworth, was interviewed by Gregor Craigie from CBC’s “On the Island” about the One Planet Student Challenge that ends on April 28th. Listen to “On the Island” here.

More about the One Planet Student Challenge

Grade 6-12 students in Greater Victoria are invited to submit entries to “share places, activities and things in our community that help us with One Planet Living”.

Read more about the challenge here. Submissions are due on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Presentation: Consumption-Based Emissions Inventory

Sam — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 17:24:02 +0000

Cora Hallsworth presented on Consumption-Based Emissions Inventories to the Climate Caucus. Participants learned how to deepen action on climate change by building your community’s understanding of the ‘consumption-based’ impacts of our communities.

Human-induced climate change, as with much of our impact on natural systems, like biodiversity loss and pollution, is driven by unsustainable levels of consumption. Yet, typical municipal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories and plans do not include the impacts of all consumption that is occurring within the boundaries of a community. They miss the impact of all the products and materials we import into our communities. The Consumption-based Emissions Inventory (CBEI) helps shine a light on all the consumption-related GHG emissions caused by a population regardless of where they occur worldwide.

Some resources from the call:

The Centre for Ecocities webinars on using the Tool, and engaging stakeholders.
The Centre for Ecocities Tool for creating CBEIs and ecological footprints.
Motivations work (how to engage people in sustainable lifestyles by targeting their unique motivations – eg health, frugality, etc).
Communications/visioning to engage people in sustainable lifestyles.
Good life contest (now closed but will be pleased to share results when they come in).
Cora’s slides from the call.

Watch the recording here

Seeking Associates!

Sam — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 21:32:04 +0000

CHRM Consulting is seeking Associates to work on innovative projects focused on advancing climate and sustainability knowledge and action in communities. We are looking to bring on Associates to support two key project areas at the moment:

Emissions Inventory Specialist

We are looking for an analyst level Associate to work on CBEIs and EFs with us. This is an innovative new practice area that is becoming increasingly of interest to local governments.

Green/Sustainable Building Specialist

CHRM currently leads the Greater Victoria 2030 District, and to support this work we are seeking an Associate that is skilled in green/sustainable building practices. The ideal candidate is a strong and effective communicator, and a solid understanding of the opportunities to advance GHG emission reductions in commercial buildings.

Greater Victoria 2030 District wins Climate & Energy Action Award

Sam — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 21:29:34 +0000

The District of Saanich and the City of Victoria have been recognized for their role in creating the Greater Victoria 2030 District by the Community Energy Association. They received the 2022 Climate & Energy Action Award in the Community Planning & Development category at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Whistler on September 15, 2022.

Read the press release here.

2022 BIV500 List

Sam — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 20:09:39 +0000

We are excited to announce that our founder, Cora Hallsworth, has made the BIV500 list for the second year in a row, in the category Urban Planning and Design.

The BIV500 recognizes the 500 most influential business leaders in BC.

2022 One Planet Student Winners

Sam — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 02:01:25 +0000

On June 9, we celebrated the student winners showcased the winners and runner ups across categories.

We received 60 exciting entries from across the region! The video below showcases the winners and finalists who submitted videos or illustrations exploring “How can we bring One Planet Living ideas into our communities and personal lives?”

You’ll also learn about organisations and individuals involved in One Planet Saanich and One Planet BC.

The 2022 challenge is hosted by OneEarth as part of the One Planet Saanich initiative, in collaboration with the District of Saanich. Funding has been provided by the District of Saanich, City of Victoria BC and Vancity.

With support from OneEarth team members: Alice Henry, Lauren Thu, Edna Catumbela, Cora Hallsworth and Dagmar Timmer.

Learn more about One Planet Saanich / One Planet BC: http://www.oneplanetbc.com

2022 REFBC Land Awards

Sam — Mon, 09 May 2022 16:52:16 +0000

The Greater Victoria 2030 District is a finalist for the 2022 Real Estate Foundation of BC Land Awards. Established in 2010, the biennial awards program celebrates big ideas and bold leadership in sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use and real estate practices across BC. The Land Awards recognize outstanding projects, including in the Built Environment category, and standout leaders that are working to build healthy, resilient, and inclusive communities and protect our shared land and water. Project award nominations were judged by volunteer committees of subject matter experts. The judges considered the creativity, impact, collaboration, engagement, and future of each project. Winners will be announced at a gala event on June 9th.

More information is available here.