Calgary's new mayor wants to declare a climate emergency. What could it mean for Canada's energy capital?

Jyoti Gondek may have raised a few eyebrows when she said her first order of business as Calgary's new mayor would be to declare a climate emergency in the city.

Her mayoral campaign website has a section devoted to taking action on climate change, including promises to set clear targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to a changing climate through flood protection and more resilient building materials. But the phrase "climate emergency" isn't mentioned.

However, the mayor's office confirms there is no higher priority right now than declaring a climate emergency as Gondek's first task. The idea will be formally tabled before the city's executive committee next week and then brought to full council for debate on Nov. 15, the new council's first meeting.

Hundreds of Canadian cities have already declared a climate emergency, including Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, something that was done more than two years ago.

Calgary's new mayor says it's time to do the same in Alberta's biggest city, which 1.3 million people call home. But she's signalled it's not just about lowering greenhouse gas emissions. It's also about attracting investment and creating jobs.

"What we need to do now is recognize that we are in a climate emergency so we can continue to attract capital to our city," the mayor told reporters at city hall last month.

So what could happen in Calgary after a climate emergency is declared? Other cities have done it, what's been their experience? Will it help reverse the damaging effects of climate change and create jobs? Or will it be a blow to Canada's oil and gas capital?

Advocates and experts say a climate emergency declaration must be followed by measurable actions to ensure the move isn't just a symbolic gesture — and they say cities can pull a lot of levers to reduce carbon emissions.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities says cities account for roughly half of all greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, through transportation and the energy used to heat, cool and light homes and buildings.

"The statement itself isn't going to change anything, but it does showcase a priority," said Brendan Boyd, an assistant professor in the department of anthropology, economics and political science at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton.

"I wouldn't say necessarily that, you know, you declare an emergency and all of a sudden everything changes and this is now a totally new world. But it's part of the long process of building political support for taking action that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions,'' he said.

Calgary already has a Climate Resilience Strategy that was passed unanimously by council in June 2018. But last year's annual report showed greenhouse gas emissions have fallen less than half a percentage point below 2005 levels. The report also contained an admission that the city is not on track to meet its goal of cutting emissions to 80 per cent of 2005 levels by 2050.

The Environmental Law Centre says declaring a climate emergency can be an important signal as to what a community's priorities are, but it must be followed by action to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Brenda Heelan Powell, a lawyer with the organization, says cities can reduce their own carbon footprints by changing vehicle fleets and making buildings more energy efficient.