In Calgary, we track the amount of greenhouse gas emissions added to the atmosphere every year through activities that happen within our city boundaries.

99 per cent of Calgary's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation and the heating, lighting and power demands in buildings. The remaining one per cent of emissions in Calgary come from methane from our landfills.

City of Calgary operations (our buildings and facilities, our fleet, our landfills) represent four per cent of the total emissions in Calgary. The remaining 96 per cent comes from the residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors in Calgary.

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Alberta has experienced significant changes to its climate in recent decades. Average annual temperatures in Alberta are expected to continue to increase.

Climate modelling tells us Calgary will experience more severe and frequent extreme weather events such as heat waves, drought and severe storms. A detailed analysis of the climate modelling results is provided within the *Climate Projections for Calgary Report.

*The science of climate modelling continues to evolve and every few years a new generation of climate projections are released. We are currently in the process of updating our climate projections to the most recent modelling available; however, this update will not be complete until 2027. Calgary’s current Climate Projections rely on RCP8.5 emissions scenario; the continued use of RCP8.5 remains acceptable for ongoing or legacy work until The City’s climate projections are updated.

Climate change hazards pose risks to the health and wellness of Calgarians, the economy, public infrastructure and services, homes and private property, and natural ecosystems.

Eight climate hazards are becoming more likely in Calgary and/or severe due to climate change.

Most of The City's climate work is non-statutory, meaning it is not required by provincial legislation and does not create additional regulatory requirements on its own. Our role is to provide information, planning, programs and tools that help support informed decision-making and long-term community resilience.

Development requirements are established through applicable legislation, regulations and City policies. The City's climate programs focus on planning, research, collaboration and supporting opportunities that help reduce climate-related risks and improve long-term outcomes for Calgary.

Climate change can affect City services, infrastructure, businesses and residents through hazards such as flooding, drought, extreme heat and severe storms. By planning ahead and understanding these risks, The City can help protect infrastructure, reduce future costs and support reliable services for Calgarians.

Climate and environmental programs can help identify opportunities to improve efficiency, support innovation, attract investment and strengthen Calgary's resilience. This work helps businesses, industry and communities prepare for future risks while supporting a strong local economy.

Yes. The City works with builders, developers, businesses, industry associations, community organizations, other governments and academic institutions to better understand challenges, share information and identify practical solutions that support Calgary's growth and resilience.

No. The City's work includes both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate-related hazards. This includes understanding risks from events such as flooding, drought, hail and flood, while also supporting efficient infrastructure and energy use.

The City supports innovation by sharing information, identifying emerging opportunities, partnering with industry and other organizations, and helping create conditions that encourage new technologies and approaches to solving environmental and climate-related challenges.

• Calgary Climate Symposium
• Earth Day and the City Nature Challenge
• Earth Hour
• Energy Efficiency Day
• Mayor’s Environment Expo
• World Water Day

Learn about actions you can take to help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and learn how you can prepare yourself and your property for hazards such as more severe storms caused by climate change. Visit Climate Actions for Calgarians and Climate Ready Home Guide.

Programs for businesses and non-profits

• Alberta Ecotrust – Climate Innovation Fund
• Canada Infrastructure Bank – Building Retrofits Initiative
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Company – National Housing Co-Investment Fund
• Emissions Reduction Alberta – Energy Savings for Business
• ENMAX - Community Solar Fund
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund
• Government of Canada – Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
• Government of Canada – Net Zero Accelerator Initiative
• TD – Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant

Financial incentives for individuals and homeowners

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Company – Greener Homes Loan Program
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Company – Eco Plus
• City of Calgary – Clean Energy Improvement Program
• Government of Canada Initiatives
• Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program
• Government of Canada – Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program
• Home Upgrades Program
• Royal Bank of Canada – Energy Saver Loan
• TD Insurance – Green Wheel Discount

• City of Calgary Research Library
• Building a Climate-Resilient City Research Series, 2017
• Calgarians at a Crossroads Public Opinion Poll from September 2021 
• Canadian Institute for Energy Training Courses
• Climate Atlas of Canada
• Climate Projections for Calgary Report 2024
• Climate Ready Home Guide
• Economics of Low Carbon Development Report for Calgary: Full Report, 2017
• Government of Canada Environment and Climate Change
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
• Low Carbon Cities Canada
• Plugshare: Find an electric vehicle charging station near you
• Prairie Climate Centre
• Ready Calgary emergency preparedness training
• Recommendations for Climate Adaptation Planning Feb 2023
• Residential Solar Calculator
• Video: The secret to talking about climate change
• Water Conservation Tips
• YardSmart Outdoor Water Conservation Resources

Resources that will inform the Climate Strategy update

• Canada’s Net Zero Future
• Climate Adaptation Best Practices White Paper: 2021
• Climate Mitigation Best Practices White Paper: 2021
• IPCC Assessment Report
• Everything Counts: Unpacking the IPCC's 1.5° Report
• Reconciliation and the Intersections of Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change
• Terminology
• 2020 Annual Report

• That The City of Calgary will become part of the global community (not-for-profit, public and private sectors) taking action on climate change through international initiatives such as the Global Covenant of Mayors, Resilient Cities Network, and Race to Zero, by adopting best practice and leveraging capital investment with the goal of becoming a global center of excellence in climate adaptation and mitigation, and energy transformation;
• That The City of Calgary makes climate change a strategic priority by accelerating the timelines for climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, updating the city-wide and corporate greenhouse gas reduction target to be net zero emissions by 2050 to help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius;
• That The City of Calgary engage with First Nations, through the Indigenous Relations Office, to foster relations, ensure collaboration, incorporation of traditional knowledge and ensure intersectional Climate Change strategies;
• That The City of Calgary develop strategic business plans and budgets across all departments that identify, invest in and accelerate ideas such as high priority emissions reduction, climate risk reduction opportunities, and implementation of a carbon budget;
• That Council direct that The City of Calgary to update agreements with civic partners and subsidiaries to support and ensure alignment with Calgary’s emissions reductions targets; and
• That The City of Calgary will advocate for funding from all orders of government for the purposes of accelerating immediate and near-term actions to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce climate risk to public built and natural infrastructure, deliver upstream flood and drought mitigation on the Bow River, build community resilience, seek disaster risk reduction from climate change and support strategic opportunities for Calgary’s economy.

View the Notice of Motion for the Climate Emergency Declaration and Call to Action (EC2021-1525)

In December 2021, Calgary City Council voted to build accountability into the Declaration of the Climate Emergency and Call to Action. This allowed:

• That Council direct Administration to develop a framework to measure and report on the Climate Strategy actions, budget and annual spend.
• That Council direct Administration to provide ongoing expenditure reports to be submitted to Audit Committee;
  • Future reports will explore financials including cost of action/inaction, avoided costs and cost savings as it relates to climate mitigation and adaptation.
  • Qualitative reporting to include indigenous world view, equity, and environment
• That Council direct Administration to update the city-wide and corporate greenhouse gas reduction target to be net-zero emissions by 2050 and set sector specific interim targets to ensure accountability and benchmarking;
• That Council direct Administration to present a plan to retrofit and update all City owned assets with clean energy infrastructure and improvements that exceeds current energy standards; 
  • The Plan should include anticipated timelines, a costs/savings analysis, and an action prioritization of City-owned facilities and operations 
  • Each Business Unit to build carbon targets and actions into their 2023 – 2026 business plans and budgets 
• That Council direct Administration to work with civic partners and subsidiaries to ensure alignment with Calgary’s climate risk reduction goals and emissions reductions target, including the interim targets; 
• That Council direct Administration to connect with community partners in an outreach and educational campaign that will empower all Calgarians to play their part in meeting the City’s net-zero target and reduce climate risk in our communities; 

View the Notice of Motion to Building Accountability into the Declaration of a Climate Emergency and Call to Action (EC2021-1698)

Calgary City Council voted on May 27, 2026, to rescind The City’s Climate Emergency Declaration, which had been in place since 2021. The decision followed a Council motion and recorded vote. While the declaration was removed, Council affirmed that Calgary’s Climate Strategy remains in place and continues to guide investment and ongoing climate-related work at The City.