Climate Action

Abbotsford is already experiencing the impacts of a changing climate through more frequent flooding, prolonged heat waves, wildfire smoke, drought, and other extreme weather events that affect residents, businesses, agriculture, infrastructure, and emergency services.

As climate risks continue to evolve, these events are expected to become more frequent and severe, increasing challenges to public health, safety, and community well-being. To address these growing risks, Abbotsford is focused on both reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthening the community’s ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Guided by the City’s Climate Resilience Strategy, the City of Abbotsford is addressing climate change through practical actions that reduce emissions, build resilience, and support a healthier, sustainable, and prosperous future for the community.

Climate Resilience Strategy

Civic Green Buildings Policy Energy Policy Climate Action Reserve Fund Policy Green Fleet Strategy Fraser Valley Zero Emissions Mobility Strategy

Provisions under the Local Government Act requires community GHG emissions reduction targets to be included in Official Community Plans (OCP).

Through the Abbotsforward 2050 OCP Update, the City established community GHG emissions reduction targets of 40% below 2007 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

Implementing the policies and strategies laid out in the OCP and the Climate Resilience Strategy will be a critical component of Abbotsford’s progress towards achieving the community’s GHG reduction targets over the next 25 years.

Climate action is a provincial priority, and local governments are key partners in helping to reduce GHG emissions and create complete, compact, energy efficient communities. The following annual reports summarize the key sustainability action items the City has undertaken to support GHG and energy reduction:
Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) provides local governments and Modern Treaty Nations with predictable and stable funding to support the implementation of local climate action that reduces emissions and prepares communities for the impacts of a changing climate.
As part of its participation in the program, the City reports on its climate action progress annually through the LGCAP Survey.
The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) was designed to offset the carbon tax paid by local governments who have committed to working towards carbon neutrality in their corporate operations under the Climate Action Charter. To be eligible for the conditional grant, local governments were required to report publicly on their progress towards meeting their climate action goals. Since the initiation of the CARIP, which was wrapped up in 2021, the City has completed:

Stage 1 Water Restrictions Effective September 10

Climate Action