Climate Adaptation
Climate Action in Saskatoon: Mitigation and Adaption
Climate adaptation is necessary because Saskatoon is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Even with significant reductions in emissions, our climate will continue to change. The amount of change we need to prepare for and adapt to depends on how much we reduce global emissions (mitigation). Early adaptation saves money in the long run by anticipating and preparing for impacts before they occur.
Cities continue to be at the forefront of climate action, leading mitigation and adaptation efforts and responding to the effects of climate change. Saskatoon's climate action plan has two main parts: reducing emissions (mitigation) and preparing the city for a changing climate (adaptation).
| Mitigation | Adaptation | |
| What is it? | Reduce our emissions to net zero. | Adjust to the expected and actual effects of climate change in Saskatoon. |
| Goals | Limit the amount of climate change across the world. | Reduce risk and prepare for the health, safety, and financial impacts of climate change. Increase our ability to thrive as we navigate new climate conditions. |
| Examples | Energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, switching to renewable energy. | Planning for extreme heat, reducing flood risk, insulating and shading homes and businesses. |
Mitigation and adaptation work best together. Some actions can achieve both mitigation and adaptation goals. For example, improving insulation in buildings decreases the energy required to heat and cool, reducing emissions, and makes the buildings more comfortable in hot weather, helping us adapt to increased hot days in summer.
How the City of Saskatoon is Adapting to Climate Change
The purpose of the Climate Resilience Playbook (Climate Action Strategy) is to prepare the whole community for the impacts of a changing climate in Saskatoon. The Playbook outlines a broad set of actions to strengthen and address priorities to encourage climate-ready housing; prepare for and respond to extreme weather, heat, and smoke; support overall community resilience; increase reliability and resilience of natural and built infrastructure; and protect employee health and safety. The Playbook is categorized into six goals as follows:
- Build, upgrade, and protect HOMES & BUILDINGS to be safe and resilient
- Reduce health risks from HEAT & WILDFIRE SMOKE
- Provide EMERGENCY RESPONSE during extreme conditions
- Support PEOPLE, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMUNITIES to be connected, resilient and prepared
- Increase resilience of NATURAL & BUILT INFRASTRUCTURE
- Protect EMPLOYEE HEALTH & SAFETY
Track Our Progress
Progress on mitigation and adaptation measures are included in the 2023 Climate Action Progress Report.
You can learn more about our emissions reduction targets and progress at Saskatoon.ca/ClimateTargets.