Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Status: Needs Improving
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are linked to climate change which is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms. The emissions from the community as a whole show the combined impact of the residential and industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors.
In 2017, Saskatoon City Council adopted targets to reduce Community GHGs by 15% below 2014 levels by 2023, and 80% below 2014 levels by 2050.
The City's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan includes the following key actions within the Environmental Sustainability priority area:
- Implement climate actions in the Low Emissions Community Plan and the Corporate Adaptation Strategy within proposed timelines.
- Develop initiatives to improve energy conservation and efficiency in buildings, transportation and land use planning.
- Develop initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy or low emissions energy sources and promote opportunities for property owners to generate their own electricity from renewable sources.
Where are we now?
Planning for climate action begins with understanding the sources of our GHG emissions. The most recent inventory shows that Community GHG emissions decreased by 9%, or by approximately 342,600 tonnes CO2e, between 2014 and 2021. Emissions decreased across all sectors except the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sector. Per capita emissions decreased by 20%, indicating that community actions are influencing the rate at which we generate emissions, but not enough to impact the absolute emissions target. More details on the 2021 Community GHG emission inventory are available in: Climate Action Plan: Progress Report 2021
Data Table
| Year | Greenhouse Gas Emissions (tonnes CO2e) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2466200 | |
| 2003 | 3583300 | |
| 2006 (est) | 3835600 | |
| 2014 | 3852200 | |
| 2016 | 3686600 | |
| 2017 | 3713900 | |
| 2018 | 3860000 | |
| 2019 | 3771900 | |
| 2021 | 3509600 | |
| 2023 | 3274300 | |
| 2050 | 770400 |
Source: ICLEI Energy Services, 2005 (1990 and 2003 inventories); City of Saskatoon - Sustainability Division (2006 estimate, all subsequent inventories)
What Are We Doing?
Climate Action Plan
The City and its community partners are taking action on climate change and working to reduce GHG emissions. Supported by the Environmental Leadership goal of the Strategic Plan and guided by the Low Emissions Community Plan, the City and its community partners have implemented a number of initiatives to reduce emissions and improve the environmental impact of our activities, products, and services. Please visit the Climate Action Plan webpage for more info.
Home Energy Loan Program
The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) provides low-interest loans to Saskatoon homeowners to improve energy efficiency, install renewable energy, or reduce water use in their homes. The loans are repaid through participants' property taxes. Homeowners are eligible for loans between $1,000 and $40,000 for most retrofits, and up to $60,000 for deep energy retrofits that expect to reduce energy consumption by at least 50%.
HELP launched September 1, 2021 and received over 200 applications within the first two weeks! As of December 1, 2021, the program received 324 applications, with 11 retrofit projects currently under construction.
Dundonald Avenue Solar Farm
The City is in the planning stage of developing a 2.2 MW solar farm within city limits. The project - led by Saskatoon Light & Power - will generate enough energy to power 330 homes and reduce GHG emissions by 450 tonnes CO2e annually. Design and installation are scheduled for 2022, with the solar farm expected to be fully operational in 2023. The completion of the project is an important first step to expanding the City's generation of renewable energy.
What Can You Do?
Reduce your own emissions, starting at home. Use SaskPower’s Online Home Energy Assessment to identify where you could start saving energy.
Keep informed about the City’s expanding efforts to reduce Community and City GHG emissions.
Did You Know?
62% of Community GHG emissions result from the use of energy to primarily heat, cool, and power buildings.