Climate Action
Climate change threatens our health and well-being
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the first step in addressing climate change, and will require the City and the community to take action together.
City takes action
Recognizing the dangers posed by climate change, Burnaby City Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. This emergency declaration set new greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets for the City for the next three decades:
- 45% reductions by 2030
- 75% reductions by 2040
- carbon neutrality by 2050
Burnaby is now aligned with the targets set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to keep global temperature increases to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. These targets are also consistent with targets set at the regional, provincial and national levels.
To ensure Burnaby meets these targets, we've developed a Climate Action Framework. Progress toward our targets is documented in the the Burnaby Climate Action Framework Progress Report 2021-2022 and the City Energy Strategy Progress Report 2020-2022.
The City of Burnaby participates in the Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP). The LGCAP is a provincial government program that provides funding for municipalities to plan and implement actions that will reduce emissions, create new opportunities for people in the clean economy and prepare communities for future climate impacts.
Read Burnaby’s LGCAP Year 2 Survey and Attestation Form.
Climate action framework
Burnaby's Climate Action Framework provides a roadmap for a cleaner future and must be supported over the long term by:
- The City's strong and ambitious carbon pollution reduction targets, aligned with regional targets, that commit the City to an energy transition by or before 2050.
- Easy to implement “Quick Starts” that will be updated as actions are completed and new actions identified.
- Sustained resourcing for climate action, including in operating and capital budgets.
- Support from the community–both residents and businesses.
- Strong climate commitments, action and resourcing from senior governments.
- Seven Big Moves and associated Quick Start Actions will accelerate Burnaby's climate action so the City's climate emergency targets can be met.
To reach the 2050 target, we need to make changes that will move us from “Business as Usual” to “Carbon Neutrality.” Actions required include:
- constructing net-zero new buildings
- retrofitting older buildings
- increasing mobility choices
- shifting to electric vehicles
But meeting our targets is not enough. We need others—including residents, industry, and marine and air transport companies—to also act to reduce emissions. And we'll support their transitions toward carbon neutrality.
Big Moves
Our Climate Action Framework lays out 7 key areas of transition that we call “Big Moves.” Each Big Move targets a key source of emissions and identifies levers for change. These Big Moves collectively guide Burnaby’s climate actions—today and into the future.
News and updates
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Resident input sought into Burnaby’s first Urban Forest Management Strategy
The City of Burnaby is seeking input from residents to help guide the future of Burnaby’s urban forest, which includes all the trees and green spaces through the city, on both public and private land. -
City of Burnaby to add 50 new bus shelters in 2024
The City of Burnaby installed 50 new bus shelters across Burnaby in 2023 and plans to install 50 more in 2024, making it safer and more comfortable for Burnaby residents taking transit. -
Burnaby introduces stronger climate requirements for new construction
On January 1, Burnaby introduced new standards for emissions reductions which will keep Burnaby’s construction industry on track to meet the City’s long-term Climate Action goals. -
Burnaby paves the way for car sharing in the community
The City of Burnaby is taking action to provide residents with even more transportation options following City Council approval of bylaw amendments to allow car sharing companies to operate across the city.