Saskatoon’s climate budget and what it could mean for residents

Saskatoon is introducing a climate budget to help show how decision-making affects things like GHG emissions.

The City of Saskatoon is looking to implement its first climate budget, a means to calculate how decision-making in the city can help reduce GHG emissions.

Jeanna South is the director of sustainability with the city and said this was the city’s first climate budget. She describes it as a lens that can be used on the next multi-year business plan and budget.

South said other cities like Edmonton and Calgary are looking to have climate be a consideration when it comes to their decision-making process.

“It allows council to better understand the climate impacts of the projects that are being projected,” South said.

She added that this climate budget will also show foundation projects or add-ons that could lead to GHG emission reductions in the city.

South pointed to projects like city bus replacements, an electric zamboni, water conservation projects around spray pads and paddling pools, as well as efficiency upgrades at Archibald Arena.

She said these projects currently sit as funded for the 2024-25 budget, but they exist as more than just something to reduce emissions.

“Those projects are in the budget because they create greater efficiencies and they also create greater operational resilience.”