Environmental Commitments
Environment Priority: 2026-2029 Strategic Plan
The City of Saskatoon recognizes that we are in a climate emergency; it is an era marked by increasing temperatures, extreme weather, ecological degradation, increasing costs and rising social divides.
Strategic Plan Outcomes
Through the City of Saskatoon’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, this City Council has the priority to take meaningful steps to help transform Saskatoon as a high per capita emitter of greenhouse gases to a thriving and resilient city, which models innovation in energy conservation, renewables, waste diversion, environmental protection, nature-based solutions and green infrastructure.
The outcomes of this transformation will be:
- A corporate culture with environmental sustainability resourced, supported and embedded into all decisions.
- Greenhouse gases are reduced and actions to manage the impacts of the climate crisis have been implemented in a way that maximizes co-benefits for all.
- Solid waste is reduced and diverted to conserve resources, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, optimize landfill operations and create local reuse and recycling opportunities that benefit the community.
- Natural ecosystems and the green network are managed, restored and integrated, while land, air and water resources are protected.
Environmental Sustainability Strategies and Implementation Plans
Strategies and implementation plans lay out the necessary actions to achieve City Council targets and the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan’s Environmental Sustainability priorities.
Climate Action
Active Transportation Plan – Addressing Saskatoon’s community and infrastructure needs for cycling, walking and other modes of active transportation.
Alternative Currents – Addressing renewable and low-emissions energy.
Corporate Climate Adaptation Strategy – The plan to prepare City of Saskatoon operations for a changing climate.
Low Emissions Community Plan – The City’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with targets and actions.
Land (Green Space, Natural Areas & Urban Forestry)
Green Infrastructure Strategy – The City’s vision for a green network that provides sustainable habitat for people and nature.
Pathways for an Integrated Green Network – A plan to increase the quantity and quality of natural infrastructure in Saskatoon, enhance the urban environment, and improve quality of life.
Urban Forestry Management Plan – Addressing the effective management, protection, enhancement, and growth of Saskatoon’s urban forest.
Waste
Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan – Addressing how to reduce waste and recycle or compost most of it.
Water
Water Conservation Strategy – A roadmap of actions that will help reduce water use in the community and in the City’s own operations.
Environmental Sustainability Targets
City Council has two environmental targets:
- Net zero emissions by 2050 – meaning that by the year 2050 the total amount of carbon that Saskatoon produces is equal to the amount removed from the atmosphere through sequestration.
- Seventy percent waste diversion – meaning that 70% of solid waste handled by the City of Saskatoon is diverted from landfill.