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Working together to let our sustainability efforts bloom
Thu, 14 May, 2026
With the help of staff and students, Edmonton Public Schools decreased greenhouse gas emissions by approximately seven per cent from 2021. We met and exceeded our original target of five per cent!
Even better: since 2017, we have reduced emissions by about 16 per cent. Emissions continue to trend downward even with increasing student numbers, new schools and increased school space usage.
At the April 28 Board meeting, staff shared an exciting update on the Division’s energy and environment targets and results.
How? One goal; many solutions
Meaningful and sustainable change requires many solutions and collective efforts from staff and students. The projects that led to these reductions come from all areas of the Division, and rely on the expertise and consistent efforts of each of us.
Here are some of the initiatives helping us reach our emissions reduction goals:
- solar energy installations on 26 schools save an estimated $730,000 a year
- retrofits to buildings to improve energy efficiency (e.g., heating and cooling systems)
- EcoSchools—more than 60 schools have registered in this sustainability program
- renewable energy and new sustainable procurement practices for vendors and products
- reduced water consumption—water usage reduced by 26 per cent per student between 2018 and 2025 (factoring in student enrolment growth)
- green bin (organics) and sorting stations introduced in schools—more than 30 per cent of waste was diverted from landfills in 2025 compared to 24 per cent in 2023
Learn more about our energy and environment strategy
In 2023, Edmonton Public Schools developed a strategy to guide environmental efforts, setting emissions reduction targets. Our next target is to reduce emissions by 45 per cent by 2035.
More information
- Environmental sustainability at Edmonton Public Schools
