Climate equity

Climate equity

What is climate equity?

In 2022, The City of Calgary declared a climate emergency. They also created the Calgary Climate Strategy - Pathways to 2050. One of the main principles of this strategy is to focus on 'equity and inclusiveness'.

The impacts of climate change—like heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding—do not affect everyone equally. A person’s ability to access resources and protect themselves can depend on certain factors. These include gender, race, income, ability, and family structure. These same factors also influence how people can contribute to climate solutions. 

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. 
  • Improve the climate resilience of communities.

Climate equity programs

Access to resources that improve energy efficiency can help reduce poverty, create jobs, and support personal health. It also helps tackle the increasing risks of climate change.

Home Upgrades Program

The Home Upgrades Program is funded by The City and run by Alberta Ecotrust. It helps low-income Calgarians lower their energy use. It also supports the installation of energy-saving upgrades and offers free energy education.

Learn more

Building community resilience to climate impacts offers many benefits. These include improving well-being, saving costs, and supporting livelihoods. The City of Calgary is committed to helping and empowering Calgarians to take climate action.

ClimateReadyYYC

ClimateReadyYYC is funded by The City and run by the Federation of Calgary Communities. The program helps communities work together to build resilience to climate change. It also supports projects, activities, and education that empower small groups and organizations to build climate resilience.

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

Would you like to help improve climate equity in Calgary? Get involved and connect with like-minded people, learn useful skills, and become a leader in your community. Together, we can create an equitable and more sustainable future for everyone.

  • 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 the effects of climate change or having trouble paying your energy bills, you are welcome to join our climate equity efforts. Contact us to take part in one of 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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