Climate Change Action

In 2020-21, the City engaged with citizens and conducted research to create the Climate Change Action Plan.

On May 9, 2022, the report was accepted by Council as information. Council supported aspirational targets towards:

  • the adoption of the recommended adaptation actions as outlined in the Climate Change Action Plan; and
  • reduction of Spruce Grove’s Green House Gas Emissions along the “Spruce Grove” Path.

The focus of the Climate Change Action Plan

The Climate Change Action Plan helped to answer these two main questions:

  • How can the City help prepare the community for the anticipated effects of climate change?
  • How can the City reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and help the community do the same?

Make sure to read our frequently asked questions about climate change for more information.

How are we taking action?

As part of the 2022-25 Strategic Plan and 2023-25 Corporate Plan, Council supported more than a dozen actions and committed to further review of implementation actions. That review is currently underway.

Priority actions already committed to include:

  • EV Charger Installations
  • A Clean Energy Improvement Program for home improvements
  • Flood mapping for stormwater ponds
  • Working with the Winter Emergency Response Committee
  • An education program on climate change resilience
  • Exploring recreation adaptation measures
  • Analysis of natural environmental assets

More actions will be announced in the future!

Can’t wait to do your part?

Spruce Grove residents can immediately apply to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative. Property owners are encouraged to review the terms and conditions for all programs to ensure their project meets all eligibility criteria.

Want to learn more about climate change?  

Climate change refers to persistent, long-term changes to the normal patterns of weather in a region. The consensus of the scientific community is that climate change is largely due to human activities that change the composition of the atmosphere and land-use, and to a lesser extent by natural processes and events such as volcanic eruptions. 

Greenhouse gases, often shortened to GHGs, are gases that trap heat inside the atmosphere. They allow sunlight to pass through to the Earth’s surface, but they prevent the heat generated from escaping the atmosphere. The most common GHGs are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour. 

 

Climate change is already changing our local weather patterns and will continue to do so in the future. Some of these changes provide beneficial opportunities, like a longer growing season and warmer winters. Other changes result in damaging impacts, such as increased flooding, increased periods of drought and extreme summer temperatures, more fires, and more pests and invasive species because of the warmer winters. According the the Government of Canada's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, despite the benefits provided by climate change, the overall social, economic and environmental consequences will be overwhelmingly negative.

 

This refers to actions taken to reduce the negative effects we anticipate from climate change. For example, if we expect to have more intense rainstorms in the future, then one way to prepare for this would be to improve the stormwater drainage system so that the city does not experience flooding due to rain. There are many other types of preparations that can be taken - some by residents, some by businesses, and some by different levels of government. 

 

This refers to actions that will reduce the impacts of climate change. While some of these actions relate to pulling GHGs out of the atmosphere (eg. planting trees, or technological options such as carbon capture and storage), most solutions relate to reducing GHG emissions. This can involve finding sources of energy that emit fewer or no GHGs (geothermal, wind, solar, etc.) than current methods. It can also include reducing the amount of energy used (eg. using more energy efficient light bulbs, improving home insulation so less energy is needed to keep it warm, etc.). 

Many types of mitigation options will be explored during the creation of this plan. 

 

 

The City of Spruce Grove has a long track record of being a responsible steward for both city residents and the city’s environment. Taking action to address climate change continues to helps the City accomplish both of these goals. 

Still have more questions?

If you still have more questions, please email them to our Climate Change Action Plan Representative.