Climate equity
What is climate equity?
The Calgary Climate Strategy - Pathways to 2050 includes 'equity and inclusiveness' as one of the overarching principles.
The effects of climate change, like heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and flooding, don’t affect everyone equally. Factors such as gender, race, income, ability and family structure can influence how well a person can access resources to protect themselves. These factors also impact how they can contribute to our collective efforts to combat climate change.
It’s important that all Calgarians can take action on climate change. The main areas of the Climate Strategy to improve equity are to:
- Help Calgarians who have trouble heating and powering their homes.
- Focus on equity to help people and communities become more resilient to climate change. Climate resilience means that our communities, economies and environments can deal with climate problems. It also means they can adapt and change when needed.
Climate change affects everyone, but it doesn’t impact everyone the same way.
Climate equity programs
Energy efficiency resources can reduce poverty, create jobs and improve health. They also help fight climate change.
Home Upgrades Program (HUP)
HUP offers free installation of energy-saving home upgrades for income-qualified Calgarians. HUP is funded by The City and run by Alberta Ecotrust Foundation and Kambo Energy Group.
Building community resilience to climate impacts has many benefits. These include improving well-being, saving money and supporting jobs. The City is committed to helping and empowering Calgarians to take climate action.
Apply for HUP
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 helps small groups with projects and education to build climate resilience.
Learn more about ClimateReadyYYCResources
This information offers advice and details about other programs and resources. We encourage you to read it and do your own research to find what you need.
Climate education and resources
Understanding energy bills and how to save energy:
- Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCAHelps) helps Alberta energy customers. They offer:
- A tool to compare energy rates and products.
- A guide on how to read your bill.
- Green Calgary is a charity that helps Calgarians live sustainably. They offer:
- Free workshops on energy efficiency with a free kit to take home.
- A free rental program for energy self-audit kits to find ways to save energy at home.
- An energy efficiency tip sheet gives ideas forsaving energy.
- Learn about your City of Calgary water bill.
- Alberta Utilities Commission has a page on short-term billing help.
Water and adaptation resources:
- The Climate Ready Home Guide has tips on how to prepare your home for various weather events. Click here for a PDF copy of the guide.
- Find tips on planting trees and shrubs here.
- This water guide gives tips and tools to make your home and yard use less water.
- YardSmart offers tips for an easy-to-maintain, water-efficient yard that fits Calgary’s climate.
- Brochures are available in English, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese
Climate programs
Energy efficiency programs:
- Home Upgrades Program: free energy-saving upgrades for low-income homeowners. Funded by the City of Calgary and run by Alberta Ecotrust and Kambo Energy Group.
- Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP): offers financing for home energy improvements. Sign up for email updates.
Other programs:
- Branching Out Tree Program: free trees from the City of Calgary. Check for new updates each spring.
- Rain Barrel Program: rain barrels a reduced price. On sale April 1.
Other financial supports
- Fair Entry helps low-income Calgarians use one form to get discounted rates. This applies to various 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 offers affordable phone and internet plans, disability support and well-being services.
- City of Calgary affordable housing offers application help and resources.
Emergency supports
- Alberta Works Emergency Fund: helps with food, clothes, child care, transport, shelter, utility arrears, eviction payments and home repairs.
- Basic Needs Fund: helps with first month's rent, utilities and medical costs. You can get help through Rise Calgary or 211 Distress Centre.
- CUPS Crisis Intervention Fund: gives one-time first month's help for rent, utilities, eviction notice and deposits.
- Emergency Needs Allowance: helps with food, clothes, child care, transport, damage deposit and home repairs.
Other resources
Newcomers
- Centre for Newcomers: offers services like language classes, help with settling in, job support, catering work experience, volunteer opportunities and youth programs.
- Calgary’s Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY): helps immigrant and refugee youth and their families learn about Canadian culture and the school system.
- Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA): provides help with settling in, language and job training, family issues and more.
- The Immigrant Education Society (TIES): offers job and settlement programs.
Indigenous peoples
- City of Calgary Community Supports for Indigenous People
- Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary: offers housing, youth and family programs and language help.
- Miskananwah Community Services: provides family support, youth services, mental health support, crisis help, housing and cultural activities.
- Métis Calgary Family Services: offers community-based services for urban Indigenous people.
- Circle of Wisdom Elders Senior Center: helps with advocacy, traditional teachings, basic needs, relationships and community activities.
Youth, women and seniors
- Trellis: helps kids, teens and families.
- Youth Employment Centre: gives free job help for ages 15-24.
- City of Calgary Older Adult and Age-Friendly Resources: helps senior citizens.
- YWCA: supports women and children with a 24-hour crisis line, counseling, childcare, shelters and more.
- Women in Need Society (WINS): gives basic needs, emotional support and important resources.
- Women’s Centre of Calgary: helps women with support and connections.
Other supports
- Calgary Public Library has computers, printers and learning tools.
- Use the Calgary community food map or download a list to find free and cheap food places.
- Use the Benefits Wayfinder guide to find government help.
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
Advancing Energy Equity Together: Calgary’s Energy Equity Strategy
The Energy Equity Strategy is the first step toward an energy-equitable city where everyone can afford to efficiently heat, cool and power their home with clean energy. Read the Strategy to learn more about energy equity and what The City plans to do to help Calgarians with their energy needs.
To develop the Strategy, we spoke to Calgarians who have to choose between paying for their energy bills and other essentials. We also spoke with groups that care about fair access to energy. Read the “What We Heard” reports to learn about the problems and solutions we talked about.
Get involved and make a difference
Would you like to help improve climate equity in Calgary? Join us to meet people who care, learn new skills and become a leader in your community. Together, we can make a fair and sustainable future for everyone.