Climate equity

Climate equity

What is climate equity?

In 2022, The City of Calgary declared a climate emergency and created the Calgary Climate Strategy – Pathways to 2050 with 'equity and inclusiveness' as one of the overarching principles.

Impacts of climate change – such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding – are not experienced evenly across our society. Factors such as gender, race, income, ability, and family structure can impact a person’s ability to access resources and opportunities needed to protect themselves from climate impacts and to contribute to our collective efforts to combat climate change. 

It is important that all Calgarians are empowered to take climate action.

The primary areas of focus in the climate strategy to improve climate equity are to:

  • support Calgarians impacted by energy poverty, and
  • improve the climate resilience of communities.

Climate equity programs

Access to resources to improve energy efficiency can be a powerful contribution to poverty reduction, job generation and personal health. In addition, these resources counter the growing risks of climate change.

Home Upgrades Program

The Home Upgrades Program, funded by The City and implemented by Alberta Ecotrust, helps support low-income Calgarians in lowering their energy consumption. In addition, the program supports the installation of energy-saving upgrades and provides energy education for free.

Learn more

Some resources to help

The information here offers guidance and insight on third party programs and resources. We encourage you to review this information and conduct your own research that meets your specific needs.

Climate education and resources

Understanding energy bills and how to reduce usage:

Water and adaptation resources: 

Climate programs

Energy efficiency programs:

  • Home Upgrades Program: free energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified homeowners based. The program is funded by the City of Calgary and implemented by Alberta Ecotrust and EmpowerMe.
  • Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) from the City of Calgary offers financing for home energy improvement. The next program intake will be in Spring 2024. Sign up for Email Updates.

Other programs:

  • Branching Out Tree Program provides trees at no cost from the City of Calgary. New updates are released each Spring.
  • Green Calgary Rain Barrel program offers rain barrels at a lower cost than retail stores ($82) that go on sale April 1.

Other financial supports

  • Fair Entry allows low-income Calgarians to fill out a single form to qualify for subsidized rates for different city programs including:
    • Transit Passes
    • Recreation and Sports Passes
    • No Cost Spay/Neuter
    • Property Tax Assistance
    • Waste and Recycling
    • Parking Permits
    • Senior Services Home Maintenance
    • Rogers internet, tv and phone services
  • Telus digital resources offers low cost phone and internet plans, training and assistance for people with disabilities and access to mental health services
  • City of Calgary Affordable Housing page helps with how to apply and offers other resources

Emergency supports

  • Alberta Works Emergency Fund provides assistance for food, clothing, child care, transportation, damage deposit, temporary shelter, utility arrears, eviction payments, and essential home and appliance repairs
  • Basic Needs Fund offers support for rental and utility arrears, first month rent/damage deposit and unforeseen medical expenses.
  • CUPS Crisis Intervention Fund has one-time financial aid to cover damage deposit, first month’s rent, utility disconnection, or eviction notice.
  • Emergency Needs Allowance Program through the Government of Alberta can cover costs for: food, clothing, child care, transportation, damage deposit, utility arrears, essential home repairs etc.

Other resources

Newcomers

Indigenous peoples

Youth, women, and seniors

Other supports

  • Calgary Public Library – technology access to computers, printing, and learning
  • Access to food - Use our Calgary community food map and/or download a list of locations to find access to no-cost and low-cost food locations
  • Benefits Wayfinder – guide to help find government benefits

Important phone numbers

  • Emergencies – 911
  • Community Resources (24-hour) – 211 can connect you to any resources you need
  • Health link – 811
  • City of Calgary (24-hour) – 311
  • Distress Centre crisis line (24-hour) – 403-266-4357 (text or phone)
  • Alberta Addiction Helpline (24-hour) - 1-866-332-2322

Get involved and make a difference

Do you want to contribute to improving climate equity in Calgary? By getting involved, you can build connections with like-minded people, learn valuable skills, and become a leader in your community. Together, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

  • Energy equity engagement

    The City is learning from Calgarians and organizations about challenges with heating and powering homes.

  • Connect with us

    If you are feeling vulnerable the impacts of climate change or struggling to afford your energy bills, there is a place for you in our climate equity efforts. Contact us to participate in one of the these programs.

  • Subscribe to the climate newsletter

    The City cannot achieve Calgary’s climate goals alone. Learn how you can adapt, be more resilient to a changing climate and build a healthy and green city.

More information

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