Action on Just Transition: City of Edmonton Change(s) for Climate

The City of Edmonton corporation has declared one of its top goals is to move away from business-as-usual ways of working, to be able to integrate climate justice thinking and future fit solutions into organizational processes, including but not limited to the institutionalization of a carbon budget/accounting system. In August of 2019, the City declared a climate emergency; six months later the COVID-19 pandemic derailed its climate plans. Post-pandemic, City leadership now plans to refocus its efforts. “Research in development will not be on the market in time to help us achieve 2030 climate targets”, says the academic lead, Dr. Wilson. “Our best chances to meet 2030 and even 2050 climate targets are to adopt technologies already available and to change our ways. Therefore, the most impactful money at this time needs to be spent on energy transition as a social issue.” Said otherwise, we need to fund research and climate action that focuses on shifting the culture. At the City of Edmonton corporation, this starts with changing the culture of work: from business practices, to what employees value, and how they are evaluated.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sheena Wilson

Student:

Partner:

City of Edmonton

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Public administration

University:

University of Alberta

Program: