Edmonton adopts new strategy to transition to cleaner energy

EDMONTON—Edmonton is looking to transition to cleaner energy options to become carbon neutral.

City officials approved a new Community Energy Transition Strategy earlier this month to establish targets aligned with the Paris Agreement and outline local economic opportunities.

“We are already seeing the consequences of climate change,” said Stephanie McCabe, deputy city manager, urban form and corporate strategic development, in a press release. “Energy transition is a way to create local jobs today, while reducing emissions and avoiding the most catastrophic impacts like increased wildfires and urban flooding that science has warned us about.”

To achieve carbon neutral status by 2050, the city is looking at action in four areas:

1. Renewable and Resilient Energy Transition
2. Emissions Neutral Buildings
3. Low Carbon City and Transportation
4. Carbon Capture and Nature Based Solutions

“The Energy Transition Strategy is a jobs, public health and quality of life plan, as much as it is a climate response,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “This strategy builds on our proud heritage as energy problem solvers here in the heart of Canada’s traditional energy economy, to remain prosperous through the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.”