Council to consider scrapping Calgary’s climate emergency declaration

Calgary's city council could roll back its climate emergency declaration after one councillor called it 'performative.'

It’s been five years since a newly elected council declared a climate emergency – now, Calgary’s current council will debate whether to reverse the decision.

The guiding policy was passed in 2021, just weeks after then-mayor Jyoti Gondek and her council colleagues were sworn in.

Now, a pair of notices of motion by a new council seek to scrap the declaration.

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“The declaration of a climate emergency has been criticized as largely symbolic, while committing the city to significant long-term expenditures and organizational changes,” reads one motion, put forth by Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot.

The climate emergency declaration was adopted with a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The guiding policy means all city departments will “identify, invest in and accelerate ideas such as high-priority emissions reduction, climate risk reduction opportunities,” the city says.

Chabot’s motion, if passed, would also see administration move forward with an audit of all climate-related spending to determine potential cost savings or whether funding aligns with the city’s priorities.

According to the motion, the city’s climate and environment department had a $26 million operating budget and $22.7 million in capital funding in 2025.

Additionally, climate-related spending is set to exceed $214 million across all of the city’s other business units this year.

“Administration’s current reporting on climate-related expenditures is fragmented, with significant portions of climate spending embedded across departmental budgets, making it difficult for council and taxpayers to clearly identify and evaluate the full costs,” the motion reads.

A similar motion from Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston calls the climate emergency declaration “symbolic” and, if passed, would see the city scrap references to the climate emergency declaration from all plans, communications and websites.

A council committee supported both motions Tuesday morning without debate.

Discussions, possible amendments and final decisions will have to come at a future council meeting.