The City of Calgary Climate Implementation Plan 2023–2026 is a municipal climate action program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen climate resilience across Calgary. The plan operationalizes Calgary’s long-term climate strategy by outlining specific short-term actions focused on renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, climate adaptation, and community engagement. The initiative supports Canada’s national climate commitments while addressing local environmental risks, including extreme weather events and urban climate impacts.
Description of Town
Type of Town:
☒ Urban (Central Business District)
☒ Urban (Mainly consists of commercial area)
☒ Urban (Mainly consists of residential area)
☐ Village (village)
☐ Village (island)
☐ Others
Coverage rate of population with access to tap water: Approximately 100%
Coverage rate of population with access to gas: High; Calgary has established natural gas infrastructure but promotes electrification and energy efficiency transitions.
Power plant capacity: Not applicable at city level; electricity supplied through Alberta provincial energy grid.
Specific power plant type: Grid electricity including fossil fuel generation and increasing renewable energy integration.
Number of public transportation vehicles per 10,000 population: Moderate to high public transport availability including bus and light rail transit systems.
Popularization rate of telephone, including mobile telephone Over 100 sets per 100 persons
Per capita area of paved roads High transportation infrastructure coverage typical of major North American cities.
Per capita area of public green space High, including parks, river valleys, and protected natural areas.
Climate conditions Cold winters, warm summers, semi-arid continental climate.
Expected Future Development
Expected demographic changes: Continued population growth and urban expansion requiring sustainable infrastructure and services.
Expected industrial/economic changes: Expansion of clean energy, sustainable building technologies, and environmental innovation sectors.
Other expected development: Expansion of low-carbon transportation infrastructure, renewable energy deployment, climate adaptation infrastructure, and community climate programs.
Town Policy, Vision or Objective
What is the policy, vision, or objective of the town?
• Calgary aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while building climate-resilient communities. The Climate Implementation Plan supports the city’s long-term net-zero emissions pathway through targeted actions in energy, transportation, waste, infrastructure, and community engagement.
Brief outline of the low carbon town development plan:
The Climate Implementation Plan focuses on:
• Increasing renewable energy use and energy efficiency
• Promoting low-carbon transportation including public transit and electric vehicles
• Improving building performance through retrofits and energy management systems
• Enhancing climate adaptation and extreme weather resilience
• Supporting waste reduction and circular economy initiatives
• Encouraging public participation and behavioural change
The plan emphasizes collaboration between municipal government, businesses, and residents to achieve emission reduction goals.
Current stage of development of the town:
☐ Planning stage
☐ Construction stage
☒ Already existing
Start date of the project: 2023
Completion date of the project: 2026
Low Carbon Measures
Does your low carbon town or development plan have CO2 emission reduction target?:
☒ Yes
☐ No
Key low carbon measures employed or to be employed
Urban functions
☒ Compact city design
☒ Heat island phenomenon countermeasures
☐ Efficient road arrangement plan
☐ Well-developed public transportation
☐ Car Sharing
☐ Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
☒ Plan for highly efficient infrastructure
☐ Other
Industry sector
☐ Factory energy management system
☐ Other
Transport sector
☐ Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
☒ Light Rail Transit (LRT)
☐ Intra-city community bicycle
☒ Electric vehicle
☐ Electric busses
☒ LED street lighting
☐ Other
Residential sector
☐ Fuel cells
☒ Low or zero emission houses
☐ Eco-friendly home appliances
☒ PV panel
☐ Solar heated water supply facilities
☐ Heat-pump hot water supply with natural refrigerant
☒ Use of natural light
☐ Low emission glass
☐ Home Energy Management System (HEMS)
☐ Thermal storage air conditioning system
☐ Other
Commercial sector
☐ Low or zero emission building
☒ High insulation/highly airtight materials
☐ Sun shading system
☐ High performance facade
☐ Low emission glass
☐ Double skin facade
☐ Roof greening
☐ Highly efficient air conditioning facilities
☒ LED/Inverter lighting
☐ Use of natural light
☒ Building Energy Management System (BEMS)
☐ Thermal storage air conditioning system
☐ Other
Other demand side measures:
Renewable energy
☒ PV power generation
☐ Solar thermal utilization
☐ Biomass power generation
☐ Wind power generation
☐ Geo-thermal power generation
☐ Micro-hydroelectric power generation
☐ Others
Untapped energy
☐ Use of sea/river water
☐ Use of waste heat such as waste incineration plants
☐ Use of waste heat such as sewage treatment plants
☐ Use of waste heat from factories
☐ Others
Other supply side measures:
Demand and supply side measures
☒ Advanced metering systems
☒ Smart grid system
☐ Electric condenser system
☒ Area Energy Management System
☐ Others
Estimated cost savings in implementing low-carbon measures: Break down by Activity/Sector, potential source, estimated savings – e.g.:
Energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy adoption reduce energy costs for municipal operations, businesses, and households. Sustainable transport reduces fuel consumption and improves environmental and public health outcomes.
Estimated energy consumption before completion of the project:
Baseline energy consumption reflects conventional urban energy demand prior to implementation of climate action measures.
Estimated energy consumption after completion of the project:
Energy consumption and emissions are expected to decline through building efficiency upgrades, renewable energy adoption, and low-carbon transport programs.
Project Management
What central/local government departments are/will be involved in development of the project?
• City of Calgary — planning, implementation, monitoring
• Province of Alberta — regulatory and policy coordination
• Government of Canada — national climate policy support and funding programs
What private company, non-governmental organizations are/will be involved in development of the project?
• Energy utilities and renewable energy developers — implementation
• Technology and infrastructure providers — development and intermediary roles
• Environmental organizations and community groups — stakeholder engagement and education
How is/will be the development of the town funded?
Funding is supported through municipal budgets, provincial and federal grants, private investment, and public-private partnerships focused on climate infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.
Other relevant information, if any:
The Climate Implementation Plan integrates climate mitigation and adaptation measures to support long-term resilience against extreme weather events and environmental risks.