CO2RE is the City of Edmonton's community-wide initiative to permanently reduce local greenhouse gas emissions. City of Edmonton, Canada

Greening Edmonton through climate protection

CO2RE (Carbon Dioxide Reduction Edmonton) is the City of Edmonton’s community greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy.

It was created by a coalition of more than 20 local companies, non-profit organizations, institutions and government agencies. While the City of Edmonton played a lead role in bringing these diverse groups together, the plan was developed by the community – for the community.

CO2RE Greenhouse gas reduction goal:

• by 2010: reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Edmonton from 1990 levels by up to 6%
• by 2020: reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Edmonton from 1990 levels by 20%

Edmonton, reducing GHG since 1999

The original CO2RE initiative was envisioned in October 1999 as Edmonton City Council approved a greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan for City operations. City Council realized that an overall, permanent reduction of Edmonton’s greenhouse gas emissions could only happen if all sectors of the community worked together on one, coordinated plan.

A plan built by the community

A cross-section of more than 30 people representing residential, business, industrial and institutional sectors worked with the City for two years to develop a single, coordinated plan. The group, known as the Carbon Dioxide Reduction Edmonton (CO2RE) team, consulted extensively with many local groups and organizations to develop a consensus on the best approach and strategies.

First focus: home energy efficiency

Between 2004 and 2007, CO2RE program delivery focused on helping residents improve home energy efficiency through education and financial incentives. A strategic review of CO2RE conducted in 2007 re-affirmed the need to expand CO2RE services to all sectors of the community and an aggressive three-year implementation plan was approved for implementation starting in 2008.

How citizens can join

All Edmontonians are encouraged to join CO2RE. Membership is free and includes regular newsletters with ideas and updates on how to make your home and lifestyle more energy efficient. Members also benefit from special promotions on energy-efficient products and programs developed exclusively for CO2RE members.

Host of the ICLEI World Congress 2009

Edmonton (Canada) will be the host of ICLEI World Congress 2009 from June 14 - 18, 2009. Join mayors, local governments, and colleagues, as more than 800 delegates worldwide. Edmonton is a booming city of over a million people nestled in the centre of Alberta, Canada. The capital city of the province, Edmonton bustles with arts, theatre and cultural events. Edmonton is also a city in love with the outdoors. Its breathtaking river valley is North America’s largest urban green space, 22 times larger than New York’s famed Central Park.

More information

Website for Edmonton CO2RE strategy : www.co2re.ca

ICLEI World Congress website: www.iclei.org/worldcongress2009