Once the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and forecast, reduction target, and Local Action Plan (LAP) have been prepared, the focus turns to implementation of the LAP. While municipal staff will be responsible for putting the plan into motion and maintaining momentum, in-house personnel, non-governmental organizations and private-sector contractors can complete the implementation of specific projects. The approval and support of council, municipal staff and the community are essential to the plan’s success.

Program management
The following items are key to the structure put in place for the implementation process:

1. Staffing and communications
Consult with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM): Assign one staff person to act as the principal liaison with FCM.

• Communication: Communicate the objectives of PCP and the LAP internally and externally, particularly to council. The information must be communicated to the city/town manager and department heads. Links must also be established between the LAP and the municipal government’s official plan and other planning documents.
• Resources: Obtain adequate resources (identify the funding and staff/outside assistance required).
• Measures: Ensure the implementation of existing measures.

2. Financing and budgeting
Municipal governments have several options for financing the implementation of PCP initiatives. These include the use of internal funds and third party financing through performance contracting and borrowing. FCM’s Green Municipal Funds (GMF) can provide grants and loans for innovative environmental projects.

For budgeting purposes, the following questions should be answered:

• Which measures can be incorporated into existing projects or expenditures?
• Which measures will require new expenditures?
• What is the payback period? (Paybacks of five to seven years generate deeper reductions.)
• What are the potential savings over the lifetime of the improvement?
• Is funding available in the existing municipal budget?
• What alternative funding sources exist?
• What are the project’s life cycle costs?

3. Project timeline
Allow your LAP enough development time to meet its emissions reduction goal by the target year, taking into account future administrative, technical and political changes, council and staff turnover, and other issues.

• Prepare an implementation schedule that meets the emissions reduction goal in the target year;
• Integrate the schedule with existing processes and responsibilities; and
• Provide time for stakeholder review and input.

4. Stakeholder engagement
Strong stakeholder engagement is required during the development and implementation phases to ensure support for the plan.

• Consider establishing a "community task force"; and
• Recruit volunteers and interns to assist with implementation and promotion of the plan to the public.