Targets and Progress

The City of Saskatoon's Climate Action Commitment 

Consistent with our strategic goal of Environmental Leadership, the City signed on to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) in November 2015. This international pact commits the City of Saskatoon to take action on both the causes and effects of climate change by reducing emissions and building resiliency plans for Saskatoon’s infrastructure and services. There are currently 63 Canadian signatories to GCoM. 

Emission Reduction Targets 

The City of Saskatoon is committed to climate action as a member of GCoM. The City’s current Climate Action Plan consists of two frameworks: The Low Emissions Community Plan (LEC Plan) and the Corporate Climate Adaptation Strategy (Adaptation Strategy). The 2023 Climate Action Progress Report (Report) presents updated greenhouse gas inventories and recent progress on the actions recommended in the LEC Plan and Adaptation Strategy.

For the first time, the Report includes information on the Green Network to recognize the importance of nature-based climate solutions in the City’s climate action planning. The implementation and quantification of nature-based climate solutions will be key to achieving the net-zero emissions target of the new Climate Action Plan, as well as playing a critical role in preparing the community for a changing climate. This work is being guided by the City’s Green Infrastructure Strategy (2020) and corresponding implementation plan, Pathways for an Integrated Green Network (2022).

The new Climate Action Plan – scheduled for completion later in 2025 – will include updates on the City’s climate mitigation and adaptation frameworks, expand on the existing plan to incorporate important content on nature-based solutions and the Green Network, and embed equity, reconciliation, and economic factors.

The LEC plan includes a financial and economic analysis, and was designed to enhance the following benefits: 

• Reduced expenses for residents, businesses, and the municipality. Investments in technology, conservation, efficiency, and clean energy generation reduce operating and maintenance costs, provide new revenue opportunities, and protect our community from rising energy and fuel prices.
• A diversified and growing economy, resilient to both local and global changes. Our community can capitalize on new and existing sectors like renewable energy, building, construction, and cleantech with additional employment opportunities.
• Improved equity and quality of life for all. This is achieved through improved accessibility, housing quality, food security, and poverty alleviation.
• Improved community health. Active lifestyles, cleaner air, and improved water and soil quality can significantly reduce rates of hospitalization, illness and disease, and mortality for everyone in our community. 

Tracking Our Progress 

You can track our progress in the 2023 Climate Action Progress Report. 

To meet Saskatoon’s net-zero target and manage our resources and waste more effectively, we’re working to reduce emissions in several critical sectors: 

• Buildings and energy efficiency: Improving the energy efficiency of civic and community buildings by making upgrades to insulation, windows, and heating/cooling systems.
• Energy Generation: Switching to renewable and low-emissions energy where possible.
• Transportation: Electrifying the City's fleet, creating infrastructure for active transportation, and encouraging use of public transit.
• Land use: Increasing density of our neighbourhoods and increasing the share of multi-unit housing.
• Waste management: Diverting waste away from the landfill (food and yard waste create emissions as they break down in the landfill).
• Water conservation: Reducing potable water use (water takes energy to treat and pump).