Alberta Ecotrust Foundation has awarded funding to eight organizations through the 2025 Climate Innovation Grant, supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive innovation. The organizations, located in Calgary and Edmonton, were awarded a combined total of $864,513.58. 

“The cities of Calgary and Edmonton are making progress in their efforts to address climate change, alongside many organizations implementing local climate solutions,” shares Lori Rissling Wynn, Director of Grants and Initiatives at Alberta Ecotrust. “We're delighted to support this year’s grant recipients who are pioneering transformative changes in decarbonizing our systems, while also addressing environmental justice and climate resilience, creating a sustainable future for all.” 

Funded initiatives include carbon credit certification from deep energy retrofits, a Halal investment fund for sustainable housing in Edmonton, policy work to support a decarbonized electricity grid and more.

“IslamicFamily is bridging the gap between sustainability, affordability and designing for Canadian families through Canada’s first Halal Affordable Housing Fund. Alberta Ecotrust’s support allows us to equip communities with new tools to ensure housing solutions include equitable financing, robust environmental modelling around larger families, and deep long-term affordability," says Raymond Soussa, Community Relationships Investor at IslamicFamily.

This grant is funded by Alberta Ecotrust’s Climate Innovation Fund, which aims to accelerate urban climate solutions in Calgary and Edmonton. Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is grateful for additional funding from the Edmonton Community Foundation and the City of Calgary, whose contributions this year have increased the granting capacity in both cities.

The application period for the next round of the Climate Innovation Grant Program will open in early 2026. 

GRANT RECIPIENTS & PROJECTS:

Calgary and Edmonton

• Community Energy Cooperative Canada | Alberta Chapter of Community Energy Cooperative Canada

The Alberta Chapter of Community Energy Cooperative Canada (CECC) is a province-wide initiative working with the Solar Power Investment Cooperative of Edmonton (SPICE), the Bow Valley Green Energy Cooperative (BVGEC) and the Peace Energy Cooperative (PEC) to overcome barriers to community-owned renewable energy. Launching in August 2025, the project will strengthen Alberta’s clean energy co-op ecosystem by reducing administrative costs, advancing policy reform and sharing tools through a digital knowledge hub. In partnership with Indigenous organizations, the project empowers communities to finance and manage their own solar projects while creating jobs, equity and promoting climate resilience.

• Energy Futures Lab (EFL) | Alberta’s Electricity Future

The Alberta’s Electricity Future initiative will provide recommendations towards the creation of a formalized Alberta electricity distribution policy. In addition, they will make subsequent regulatory updates that clear a path for utilities to invest in technologies and solutions that help optimize the use of the existing distribution system, both now and in the future. This is a critical first step in decarbonizing Alberta’s grid.

• Ontoly | Scaling Carbon Credit Generation for Building Retrofits in Alberta

Ontoly, in partnership with Efficiency Capital, is launching a pilot in Edmonton and Calgary from August 2025 to August 2027 to certify carbon credits from deep energy retrofits. The project applies Ontoly’s software to quantify, certify and monetize emissions reductions, mobilizing capital to accelerate deep retrofit upgrades. This pilot will drive measurable greenhouse gas reductions, support equity-deserving communities and create a scalable model for clean energy finance in Alberta.

• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) | Power Density Improvements to a Salt Water Flow Battery

AquaCell Energy, in partnership with SAIT, is advancing saltwater flow batteries (SWFBs) to create the most affordable option for long-duration energy storage. This project will run over the next year, focusing on optimizing battery design by testing membranes, adjusting electrolyte composition and customizing materials to boost performance and lower costs. This innovation supports grid flexibility, renewable integration and energy self-sufficiency for remote communities and microgrids—paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient energy future. 

Calgary

• EQUS | Case Study of Onsite Utilities Cooperative: Unlocking Geo Exchange for Affordable, Low-Carbon Heating

EQUS, a not-for-profit utility, is working with Thermal Creek Geothermal and Truman Homes to complete a Final Investment Level Study on an innovative new financial model called an “Onsite Utilities Co-op.” The study will examine the deployment of geothermal energy on one of Truman Homes' multifamily developments, comparing building owner financing to on-site utilities cooperative models. Through this project, they hope to create a roadmap to develop cost-competitive geothermal assets.   

• Pollution Probe | Accelerating School Bus Electrification: Breaking Down Grid Infrastructure Barriers

Pollution Probe will conduct a technical analysis to estimate the grid infrastructure requirements for school bus electrification in Calgary, collaborating with the local utility, school boards and fleet operators. This initiative will estimate anticipated grid loads, enabling approximate estimates of necessary grid upgrades. Findings will be compiled in a detailed report which aims to facilitate informed decision-making and advocate for policy improvements, breaking down financial barriers and accelerating the transition to cleaner and healthier electric school transportation.

Edmonton

• IslamicFamily | Sustainable and Equitable Affordable Housing for Large and Extended Families

In partnership with SVX and Civida, IslamicFamily is launching Alberta’s first Halal Investment Fund, which is tailored to support affordable housing for large, ethnocultural families. This groundbreaking initiative combines Halal-compliant financing with an environmental framework that prioritizes lifecycle costing, net-zero design and climate resilience. By addressing cultural and environmental gaps in housing investment, this fund creates a new pathway for ethical capital to flow into community-driven, sustainable housing.

• Pollution Probe | Promoting Reliable Public Charging Stations in Edmonton

Pollution Probe is leading a one-year project to monitor public charging stations in Edmonton neighbourhoods. This project will culminate in a guide on public charging station reliability and management. This guide will help charging providers improve the service of their stations, which will contribute to an improved EV charging experience for Edmonton EV owners and increased EV adoption in the city.

• Sustainable Campus Collaborative (SCC) | Edmonton LMI MURB EV Chargers

SCC, in partnership with Swift Charge, Concordia University of Edmonton, Landmark, BM Homes and Indigenous housing providers, is launching a pilot project to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers integrated with energy management in low-to-medium-income (LMI) multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). This will provide equitable, affordable and convenient access to EV charging for residents currently facing barriers to EV adoption. 

For media inquiries:

Andrea Soler

Communications Director, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation

a.soler@albertaecotrust.com

403.209.2245