To recognize Earth Day on April 22, the City of Saint John will turn off the Saint John sign, joining communities across Canada in demonstrating support for environmental awareness and action.
Earth Day Canada’s 2026 theme, Conscious Consumption, encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to be more mindful of how daily choices — particularly around energy use and resources — impact the environment. Turning off the sign is a symbolic reminder that small, thoughtful actions can collectively lead to meaningful change.
This theme aligns with the City’s ongoing progress and commitment to sustainability. In 2025, the City reduced greenhouse gas emissions from corporate operations by 30.2 per cent compared to 2015 levels, representing an annual reduction of 6,936 tonnes of CO₂. This is equivalent to removing 1,508 vehicles from the road or providing heat and electricity to 1,208 residential homes for a year.
Recently, City Council approved an updated Energy Policy, and the City has begun applying ISO 50001 Energy Management best practices in five major facilities. Together, these facilities account for more than $1.3 million in annual energy use, and improved efficiency is expected to reduce energy consumption and emissions by 15 to 20%, saving more than $200,000 over the next three to five years.
Across all municipal operations, the City spends approximately $8.5 million annually on energy, making responsible energy management a key opportunity to reduce costs and environmental impact while supporting the City’s goal of becoming carbon neutral as an organization by 2040, and as a community by 2050.
The City encourages residents and businesses to take part in Earth Day by considering simple actions such as conserving energy, reducing waste, choosing reusable options, and supporting sustainable practices at home and at work.
Learn more about Earth Day Canada and the 2026 theme at earthday.ca.
