Edmonton's climate is changing, and the City has created the Climate Resilience Planning and Development Action Plan to build a more sustainable future for everyone.
The Climate Resilience Planning and Development Action Plan is a strategy to ensure we incorporate energy transition and climate adaptation action in every stage of planning and development processes as our city continues to grow.
What is Climate Resilience?
Climate resilience is the ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and climate-related events.
- Adaptation means making adjustments to social, economic and environmental practices to reduce vulnerabilities to climate change.
- Mitigation involves using new strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
About the Action Plan
Building on the City’s existing climate change initiatives, the Climate Resilience Planning and Development Action Plan identifies the first 15 priority actions to incorporate climate resilience measures into the planning and development continuum. These actions are intended to be implemented from 2024 to 2026 in order to lay a strong foundation for ongoing climate resilience building.
The action plan supports the holistic integration of climate resilience throughout the planning and development continuum including:
Neighbourhoods
New and existing communities that provide homes, amenities, recreation and other services.
Site Design and Landscaping
The location of development and landscaping on individual sites.
Outcomes
The Climate Resilience Planning and Development Action Plan aims to achieve the following outcomes:
Energy Transition
Support the energy transition through energy efficient buildings and low carbon energy sources.
Resilient Community Design
Guide community design to support low carbon transportation and infrastructure that is resilient to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising temperatures.
Preservation of Natural Assets
Preserve and improve natural assets to support carbon sequestration and improved resilience to climate impacts.
Improved Public Health and Safety
Contribute to healthier communities by reducing exposure to climate-related risks.
Education and Information Sharing
Support education of stakeholders and decision makers about risks and opportunities and foster dialogue about climate resilience.
Action Status
| Action | Status | Engagement | Related Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action 1: Streamline permitting for climate resilient development | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 2: Incorporate electric vehicle-ready requirements into the Zoning Bylaw | In development |
| Action 2: What We Heard Summary |
| Action 3: Incorporate solar-ready requirements into the Zoning Bylaw | In development |
| Action 3: What We Heard Summary |
| Action 4: Pursue options for resilient landscaping practices on private property | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 5: Update the Floodplain Protection Overlay in the Zoning Bylaw | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 6: Introduce new regulations for wildfire risk areas in the Zoning Bylaw | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 7: Incorporate climate resilient standards into the City's design and construction standards | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 8: Pursue opportunities to bolster climate action through policy, regulatory and other planning tools | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 9: Incorporate climate resilience into the Terms of Reference that guide new neighbourhood design | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 10: Identify and pursue opportunities to enable development of low-carbon district energy systems | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 11: Pursue options for preserving natural areas through neighbourhood design | Planning | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 12: Develop a Climate Risk Index for Edmonton neighbourhoods | In development | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 13: Foster awareness of climate resilient development through public education and outreach | Implementation | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 14: Pursue opportunities to leverage grant funding for climate resilient development | Implementation | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
| Action 15: Build organizational change within Administration through education and collaboration | In development | Indigenous People’s Festival Pop-up at Borden Park on June 21, 2025 | Not applicable at this time |
Engagement Timeline
Phase 2 engagement was completed in July 2024.
Engagement was focused on reviewing and refining the list of 15 draft actions. Feedback supported further adjustment and prioritization of the draft actions and informed the development of the Action Plan.
Engagement opportunities were shared with Edmontonians and directly with numerous GBA+ organizations to reach marginalized and equity-deserving communities.
Read the Phase 2 What We Heard Report.
Phase 1 engagement was completed in April 2024.
Engagement was focused on identifying the opportunities and challenges for climate action within the City’s planning and development processes.
Read the Phase 1 What We Heard Report.
Further engagement will be conducted, as needed, to inform the specific components of each action.
Implementation
The implementation of the Climate Resilience Planning and Development Action Plan is targeted to take place over two and a half years (mid 2024 to late 2026). The groundwork for some actions has already begun and others will begin soon.
By following this broad approach, the City of Edmonton is committed to building a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future for all.