The City of Saskatoon has unveiled a 25-year climate action strategy aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the effects of climate change. The plan outlines seven priority areas to help the city reach net-zero carbon pollution by 2050. “It will help to prepare for the realities we’re already experiencing — hotter summers, flooding and severe weather, while protecting residents, infrastructure and essential services,” Jenna South, director of Saskatoon Sustainability, told reporters Wednesday afternoon. One priority is improving the energy efficiency of homes and buildings, which account for 61 per cent of the city’s carbon footprint. How the city will encourage those improvements has yet to be determined. “Whether it’s through incentives or through regulation, is up for further investigation and exploration,” South said. Another priority is increasing the use of zero-emission electricity through solar generation on civic lands and buildings. The city, however, still relies on SaskPower for most of its electricity, much of which is generated using fossil fuels. “SaskPower has committed to having a net zero energy production by 2050. So we’re looking to them to meet that goal,” she said. The strategy also calls for expanding zero-emission transportation, reducing waste, conserving water, enhancing green spaces and exploring carbon offset policies. As for the cost, South said it’s too soon to know what impact the strategy could have on property taxes. “I can’t predict what the impact would be on the mill rate. We’re hoping that in the long run, efficiency actions and resilience actions will actually save the city and the community money,” she said. South said approval of the strategy does not come with a price tag. Each initiative and its cost will be considered separately through the city’s budget process and public engagement. The strategy goes before a city committee next Tuesday.
