Calgary Climate Symposium
Calgary Climate Symposium
Join the conversation to build a resilient,
climate-equitable future for Calgary.
The Calgary Climate Symposium explores climate change and its effects on Calgarians. Together, we can create a more resilient city.
The 2024 Calgary Climate Symposium will explore:
- Climate hazards’ impact on Calgarians, our city, and the environment.
- How Calgary can embrace a low-carbon future and gain economic benefits.
- How communities can unite to lessen climate impacts and boost city resilience.
This year’s Symposium takes place from Oct. 21 to 25. The theme is:
"Innovating for a resilient and equitable future: Calgary's path to climate solutions."
Make sure to mark the event in your calendar. We look forward to seeing you in-person and online!
Event program
The 2024 Symposium will be hosted using Microsoft Teams Live Events. Two events will be co-hosted by the University of Calgary on Zoom. We chose Microsoft Teams Live Events to protect participants’ privacy.
Attendees won’t need to provide personal information or share audio/video. Each session will end with a Q&A where attendees can ask the MC and speakers questions.
Stay connected
Join the Climate Program updates mailing list to receive updates and education events throughout the year. You’ll also receive notice when 2025 registration opens.
Have questions about the Calgary Climate Symposium? Contact:
ClimateProgram@calgary.ca
Opening ceremony event
Join us for the opening ceremony of the 6th annual Calgary Climate Symposium. This pivotal event educates and empowers Calgarians to take meaningful climate action.
The Symposium kicks off at 10 a.m. on Oct. 21 at the Central Public Library.
During the kick-off of this year’s Symposium, we will hear from:
- Mayor Gondek
- Deb Hamilton (General Manager, Planning and Development Services)
- Duane Mistaken Chief
- Lorna Crowshoe (Sr. Indigenous Policy Strategist, City and Regional Planning) and,
- Dawn Smith (Manager, Climate Governance and Reporting).
These leaders will set the stage for a week of insightful sessions. The focus will be on climate equity, energy-efficient homes, food resilience, electric mobility and more.
This free event expands your knowledge and empowers you to reduce emissions and climate risk in our city. Learn from experts and community leaders on building a sustainable and resilient Calgary.
Date and Time: Monday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. MDT
Location: Central Public Library, Room 3-16B
If you are unable to join us in-person, you may view the livestream here or at Calgary.ca/live.
Register for the Calgary Climate Symposium opening ceremony2024 events
Mon., Oct. 21
Mon., Oct. 21
Leading the Way: Calgary’s Journey to Net-Zero and Climate Resilience
Calgary aims to become a net-zero and climate-resilient city by 2050. These long-term goals improve quality of life and create a healthier city in a changing climate.
The City is ramping up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts aim to reduce climate change’s negative impacts on people, buildings, the natural environment, and systems. Join City Climate and Environment staff to learn about our climate focus and progress.
Learn about the steps we're implementing to reduce and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Join the conversation to contribute to a healthier, thriving city.
Date and Time: Monday, Oct. 21;
11 a.m. – noon MDT
Location: Central Public Library, Room 3-16B
If you are unable to join us in-person, you may view the livestream here or at Calgary.ca/live.
Climate Conversations: Indigenous Science, Biodiversity, and Climate Action
Hosted by the University of Calgary Office of Sustainability
The University of Calgary Climate Conversations speaker series brings you keynote speaker Dr. Myrle Ballard. Dr. Ballard is a UCalgary Associate Professor with the Faculty of Science. She is also the first Director of Indigenous Science for Environment and Climate Change Canada. Learn about the vital importance of Indigenous Science and the Three-Eyed Seeing approach for meaningful climate action. This approach protects community and ecosystem health, honouring Indigenous communities’ relationship with the land.
Dr. Ballard explains Indigenous Science “is the knowledge of survival since time immemorial and includes knowledge of plants, the weather, animal behaviour and patterns, birds and water.” Dr. Ballard will discuss the importance of using Indigenous science concepts like bridging, braiding, and weaving in climate change work. Dr. Ballard will be joined by Gavin Woodburn - a master's geoscience student from UCalgary.
Date and Time: Monday, Oct. 21;
noon – 1:30 p.m. MDT
Location: Online through Zoom
Nourishing Our Food Future: Co-creating Food Resilience for YYC
Do you care about the future of our food system? Join us to pause, listen and imagine a vision for Calgary’s food system. The City will share its Food Resilience Strategy—the first of its kind in Canada. We will host a discussion with diverse food system members to tackle emerging challenges and build resilience. We’ll end with a creative activity to develop a shared cookbook for municipal food resilience. The session includes a sampling of local food.
Note: This is an in-person workshop with a sampling of local food. Please bring a reusable water bottle.
Date and Time: Monday, Oct. 21;
2 – 3:30 p.m. MDT
Location: Central Public Library, Room 3-16B
Climate Conversations: Caring for More Than Human Worlds in Regimes of Forced Migration
Hosted by the University of Calgary Office of Sustainability
In this talk, we will offer insights on centering an ethic of care for More Than Human worlds. These insights come from our two-year work with newcomer youth of colour in Calgary through the YARI Collective project. We will illustrate how youth developed and centered care for More Than Human worlds. We will showcase projects like simulations, animations, documentaries, and a community garden. All of this took place within the sociopolitical context of forced migration regimes. We will show how care for the climate crisis and More Than Human worlds emerged from the youth's experience of forced migration; colonialism, wars and racialization during resettlement. The presentation will showcase newcomer youth’s work and discussions with the YARI Collective research team.
Date and Time: Monday, Oct. 21;
5 – 6:30 p.m. MDT
Location: Online through Zoom
Tues., Oct. 22
Tues., Oct. 22
The Launch of Calgary’s Home Energy Performance Map
Join us for the exciting launch of Calgary’s Home Energy Performance Map. This innovative tool provides open access to home energy performance data across the city. This map features EnerGuide labels and energy scores to help homeowners compare efficiency and save costs.
The initiative boosts energy efficiency and cuts greenhouse gas emissions, supporting Calgary’s climate goals. Discover how this tool benefits you and supports a greener Calgary.
Date and Time: Tuesday, Oct. 22,
11 a.m. – noon MDT
Location: Online through Microsoft Teams
Equity in Climate Action: Empowering Calgary Communities
Climate change impacts like shifting seasons, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding affect society unevenly. Some factors can influence a person’s ability to access resources and opportunities needed to protect themselves and contribute to climate action. It’s crucial Calgarians are empowered to take climate action. Join us to explore collective, fair, and equitable climate action in Calgary.
Date and Time: Tuesday, Oct. 22;
1 – 2:30 p.m. MDT
Location: Online through Microsoft Teams
Wed., Oct. 23
Wed., Oct. 23
Charging Ahead: Navigating the Electric Vehicle Landscape in Our Communities
With electric vehicle adoption on the rise, communities across Canada are preparing for the future. This event will include presentations from The City and Plug’n Drive.
The focus will be on EV strategies, trends, industry insights, and community engagement.
Date and Time: Wednesday, Oct. 23,
11 a.m. – noon MDT
Location: Online through Microsoft Teams
Alberta Ecotrust’s Approach to Affordably Advancing Emissions Reductions in the Building Sector
This session will highlight Alberta Ecotrust’s programming in the building sector. These programs include the Retrofit Accelerator, Home Upgrades Program, and Emissions-Neutral Buildings Information Exchange (ENBIX). The Retrofit Accelerator enables building owners to reduce carbon emissions through retrofits. The Home Upgrades Program makes energy efficiency improvements accessible for lower-income households. ENBIX promotes knowledge sharing and fosters innovation and leadership for emissions-neutral building practices in Alberta. Join experts to explore how these programs drive climate action, while considering how to lower costs and improve climate equity.
Date and Time: Wednesday, Oct. 23;
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. MDT
Location: Online through Microsoft Teams
Thurs., Oct. 24
Thurs., Oct. 24
The Electric Micromobility Movement: E-Bikes, E-Scooters and Urban Mobility Solutions in Calgary
Electric bikes and scooters are popular and reliable modes of transportation. This session, featuring The City, Calgary Climate Hub, and Bike Calgary, will focus on the rise of electric micromobility in Calgary. It will also provide tips to stay safe while commuting.
Date and Time: Thursday, Oct. 24;
1 – 2:15 p.m. MDT
Location: Online through Microsoft Teams
Fri., Oct. 25
Fri., Oct. 25
Building Climate Resilience in the Residential Sector
Climate change is making many hazards more likely and severe. This increases the risk of physical impacts to homes. It also affects the health and wellbeing of occupants. Enhancing residential resilience now will save costs for Calgarians and society over time. So, what is being done to build resilience in the residential sector? Join us to discuss tools, materials, policies, and projects aimed at reducing climate impacts on our homes.
Date and Time: Friday, Oct. 25;
10 – 11:30 a.m. MDT
Location: Online through Microsoft Teams
Did you know?
The Calgary Climate Symposium is one of several climate events this October.
- BUILDEX Alberta is hosting its annual conference on Oct. 24–25 at BMO Centre. This event will highlight what's next for the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial projects across the province.
- The Canadian Renewable Energy Association is hosting its annual summit, Electricity Transformation Canada, on Oct. 21–23, at BMO Center. The event will focus on key connections for Canada’s electrical shift.
- The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host its 3rd National Climate Gathering on Oct. 7–10, 2024. The theme is "Catalyzing First Nations Climate and Conservation Leadership for Transformative Change."
Symposium partners
Thank you to all of our 2024 Calgary Climate Symposium partners.