Together we build
Together we build
The City of Calgary knows that sustainability is a long-term process and series of difficult challenges for you, our business community. We know that you understand the importance of reducing emissions, cutting costs, and enabling customers and partners to do the same. We know that you are finding efficiencies, reducing waste and capitalizing on opportunity. We get it.
This is why we are creating programs that make upgrades cost-effective, making sustainable development processes easier, and providing events that educate and equip your teams.
Together we can make sustainability the business of Calgary.
New and noteworthy
Trending themes in sustainability
Incentives and savings
Explore a variety of incentives and tools to help you improve building performance, lower utility costs and make energy retrofits cost-effective.
Building and development
Learn how we’re streamlining development processes for energy efficient residential and commercial properties.
Building operations
Explore a variety of strategies to improve building performance, lower energy and water costs, and reduce emissions.
Small business community
Discover ways to lower energy and water costs for your business, make energy efficiency upgrades and more.
Parking and transportation
Explore ways to lower emissions and support electric vehicle (EV) use in multi-residential and commercial developments.
Business community in action
Businesses across Calgary are taking action to lower energy use and emissions.
The City of Calgary’s BenchmarkYYC program not only helps participants improve building efficiency, it also recognizes leaders in emissions reduction and energy efficiency practices. Here’s a look at the 2024 BenchmarkYYC Award winners.
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Most Improved Property
Calgary Board of Education – Catherine Nichols Gunn School32% emissions reduction YoY
29.7 kg CO2e/m2 between 2021 and 2022
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Lowest GHG emissions intensity - Library
Calgary Public Library – Memorial Park Library19% better than average
94.5 kg CO2e/m2
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Lowest GHG emissions intensity – Multi-family
Boardwalk REIT – Westwinds Village56% better than average
32.6 kg CO2e/m2
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Lowest GHG emissions intensity – K-12 schools
Calgary Board of Education – Balmoral School54% better than average
30.2 kg CO2e/m2
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Lowest GHG emissions intensity – Commercial
Goodwill Industries Alberta – Calgary Impact Centre71% better than average
36.3 kg CO2e/m2
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Lowest GHG emissions intensity – Offices
Cadillac Fairview – Calgary City Centre44% better than average
64.9 kg CO2e/m2
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Lowest GHG emissions intensity – Non-refrigerated warehouse
The City of Calgary – Corporate Warehouse47% better than average
49.3 kg CO2e/m2
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Lowest GHG emissions intensity – Recreation centres
The City of Calgary – Ernie Starr Arena66% better than average
52.7 kg CO2e/m2
Savings and more
In the news
Land acknowledgements
The city of Calgary, where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, was historically a place of confluence where the sharing of resources, ideas and opportunities naturally come together. Long before Scottish settlers named it Calgary, the original Indigenous Nations of this area had their own names for the land. In the Blackfoot language, it is called Moh-kins-tsis (moh-GIN’-stis (a soft ‘g’). The Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi (ee-YETH’-kah nah-COH’-dah WHISK’-ah-tah-bay) First Nations refer this place as Wicispa Oyade (weh-CHIS’-spa oh-YAH’-day) and the people of the Tsuut’ina (Soot-tenna) nation call it Guts-ists-I (GOOT’-sis). The Métis call the Calgary area Otos-kwunee (oh-TUSS’ - kwanee).
Indigenous Peoples, the Original Peoples of the land, have long been stewards of the environment. Today, we acknowledge a shared responsibility to take action as part of the global community to reduce our emissions and safeguard our environment. Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing play a crucial role in shaping our approach to climate change, offering invaluable perspectives and practices.
We acknowledge all Indigenous people who have made Calgary their home.