Key climate change initiatives
Greenhouse gas reduction targets
The City of Calgary signed the Calgary Climate Change Accord, committing to reducing corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050, based on 2005 levels.
The Calgary Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
In partnership with various community stakeholders, The City of Calgary is developing a strategic Greenhouse gas plan that outlines the actions and roles needed to reduce emissions on a community-wide basis. The research phase of the plan is complete and The City will begin working with the community in Spring 2011 to draft the plan. The plan will be completed by November 2011.
Calgary's Low Carbon Future Summit Outcomes
Stakeholder collaboration began with Calgary’s Low Carbon Future Summit. Over 400 engaged Calgarians developed outcomes that were used in the Research Report for the Calgary Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.
Green initiatives
By 2012, The City's operations will use 100 per cent green electricity. This is just one of the major initiatives The City's taking to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptation to climate change
It is widely recognized that the world's climate has already changed, and will continue to change for years as a result of greenhouse gases already in our atmosphere. Episodes of extreme heat, storms, floods and droughts are already being experienced. Adaptation is therefore any action that minimizes or prevents these negative impacts of climate change.
Examples of adaptation that a municipality could undertake include infrastructure upgrades, residential programs (sewer backflow and downspout disconnection), health programs (cooling centres, smog alerts, West Nile/Lime disease programs), and help for vulnerable people. The City of Calgary is currently researching the potential impacts and risks, and talking to other municipalities in Canada and abroad that have already implemented a mitigation strategy or action plan in order to learn from their experiences.
Leading climate change in Canada
The City's climate change program continues to be recognized as one of the leading municipal climate change efforts in Canada.
2006 - Target Minus 50 was awarded the Federation of Canadian Municipalities-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community award in the Energy/Renewable Energy category.
2005 - The City of Calgary became Canada's first city to reach the highest milestone in the Partners for Climate Protection program aimed at helping municipalities reduce GHG emissions.
2002 & 2003 - The City of Calgary was designated a Gold Level Reporter by the Voluntary Challenge Registry Inc., recognizing The City's GHG emission monitoring, reporting and reduction efforts.
2002 - The City of Calgary won the Alberta Emerald Foundation's Climate Change Award, recognizing the demonstration of outstanding environmental initiative and leadership in Alberta.
