Assessing City Climate Action Plans Across Canada’s Largest Cities.
The Climate Action Plans developed by Canadian municipalities over the last decade involve billions in funding commitments, significant policy and regulation changes and infrastructure investments affecting millions of residents, from St. John’s to Victoria to Iqaluit.
The New Climate is excited to present 100 Pathways, an extensive analysis of the Climate Action Plans from 100 of the largest Canadian municipalities.
The study will assess how the municipalities are approaching the climate crisis. The study will use more than 80 indicators across 13 themes to evaluate each city’s plan and identify correlations, trends and purchasing patterns.
Results will provide insights about future directions, decision preferences and inform planning
Key Indicators
- 100 plans will be analyzed
- 84 indicators (across C40’s 13 themes)
- 5-point maturity/effectiveness scale
Why This Matters
Municipalities influence over 50% of Canada’s emissions. The policies shape transport, buildings, waste, and energy systems. Comparisons and assessments of climate policy approaches can provide valuable insights.
Climate Actions Plans reveal billions in intended purchases—from electric buses to renewable energy infrastructure. This creates clear signals for where markets are headed
Plans determine how climate action will impact citizens directly: safer housing, cleaner air, and more resilient neighbourhoods..
Methodology
Framework:
The study will use the C40 Cities framework: 13 themes, 84 indicators. Each indicator will correspond to a measurable element, such as renewable energy targets, public transit expansion, or waste reduction policies.
Data Acquisition
Documents will include official Climate Action Plans, council meeting records, budget annexes, and auditor reports. Only ratified and traceable commitments will be included.
Quantitative Scoring (1–5)
Each indicator will score on a 1–5 scale:
1 = Aspirational (no clear steps)
3 = Operational (budgeted, partial implementation)
5 = Transformative (system-wide shift, fully resourced).
Reliability
Cross-review will ensure consistency, with safeguards like inter-rater checks and references to IPCC frameworks.
Data Sources
Primary Source
Official Climate Action Plans (CAPs), municipal budgets, council approvals.
Secondary Sources
Dashboards, implementation audits, and monitoring reports.
Exclusions
Key messages, promises not backed by ratified documents.
Analysis
Clustering
Cities can be grouped by size, approach, region and other dimensions.
Drivers
There may be particular dynamics at work in some municipalities that result in certain planning directions.
Framing
Some cities emphasize “co-benefits” (jobs, savings), others prioritize infrastructure investments for better resiliency..
Regional Differences
There are regional patterns that lead to expanded opportunities for collaboration and alignment..
Strategic Value
This study is a tool to:
Help establish benchmarks among peer organisations.
Provide businesses with clear signals on procurement opportunities.
Identify gaps and opportunity for stronger action.
Visuals
- Policy Radar Charts → Strengths & weaknesses across 13 themes.
- Investment Flow Maps → Budget allocations.
- Geospatial Distribution → Innovation hot-spots.
- Case Studies → City examples.