What Steps Can Canada Take To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Canada is set to exceed its previous 2030 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below 2005 levels in partnership with provinces, territories, and other stakeholders. A panel of experts advising the federal government on climate policy suggests that Canada should reduce its carbon emissions by more than half by 2035. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been unveiling plans to help cut the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45 from 2005.

In a new report, “Climate’s Bottom Line: Carbon Budgeting and Canada’s 2035 Target”, the NZAB recommends developing a national carbon budget, which represents the total greenhouse gas emissions that Canada will emit over time. Canada committed to a 30% reduction in its emissions from all sources from 2005 levels. To move forward on climate action, Canada could ensure that queued policies from the 2022 climate plan are finalized in 2024, including regulations on clean electricity, methane in the waste and oil and gas sectors, green buildings, a phase-out of coal exports, and a cap on oil and gas production.

The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan is an ambitious and achievable roadmap that outlines a sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach its emissions targets. In late 2019, Canada announced it would begin work to develop a plan to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the decades ahead. The federal government’s second climate target is to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 relative to 2005 levels by 2030.

Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, published in March 2022, is the cornerstone of the federal government’s strategy to achieve deep emissions cuts. Signatories, including Canada, agreed to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the environment. Canada can double public transit ridership by 2035 and slash 65 million tons of polluting carbon emissions.

What is Canada doing to reduce greenhouse gases?

Canada has made significant progress in recent years, including the publication of draft Clean Electricity Regulations, strengthened draft oil and gas methane regulations, and a regulatory framework for reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector. In late 2023, the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard was published, marking the first regulations from the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. The country is also working on emissions projections and progress towards its 2030 climate targets.

The Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB), launched in February 2021, is responsible for providing independent advice to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The NZAB, appointed by the Governor Council, is committed to transparency and must submit an annual report on its independent advice and activities.

How can Canada reduce its ecological footprint?

Canada has identified five key actions to reduce carbon emissions: accelerate the phase-out of coal and diesel power generation, create a pan-Canadian plan for zero-emissions transportation, reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, and stop subsidizing the sector. The country is also addressing the issue of plastic pollution in Costa Rica, the fate of a former coal plant, and the need to rewrite Canada’s building codes to combat climate change. The country is currently experiencing a warming rate twice the global average, with its North heating up nearly three times the rate.

How can Canada be more environmentally friendly?

Canada has taken significant steps to address the climate crisis over the past five years, including transitioning from traditional coal-fired power plants to renewable energy, investing in Made-in-Canada technologies, improving building codes, supporting cleaner alternatives to diesel in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, raising standards for cleaner fuels, protecting 25 of the country’s natural spaces by 2025 and 30 by 2030, and putting a price on carbon.

These actions have helped reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, which would have been 34 million tonnes higher in 2019 without the climate plan. However, fully implementing these plans is necessary to reduce emissions and capitalize on the economic opportunities associated with a growing low-carbon global economy.

How is Canada helping global warming?

Canada is committed to supporting developing countries’ transition to clean energy by phasing out coal-powered emissions and promoting equitable access to reliable and cost-effective clean energy solutions. This aligns with Canada’s leadership through the Powering Past Coal Alliance. Canada will also work with developing countries to support smallholder farmers and food value-chain actors, particularly women, in adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved access to climate-smart agriculture and food systems practices.

Canada will also support actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural ecosystems to address climate change, while strengthening climate governance projects to foster greener, more sustainable, and equitable communities.

What is Canada doing to protect the environment?

Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan aims to achieve 40-45 emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, building on previous climate plans. In December 2020, Canada introduced A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, a strengthened climate plan that focuses on pollution reduction, job creation, and a healthier economy and environment. The government also committed to developing Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy, working with provincial, territorial, municipal, Indigenous Peoples, and other key partners. This strategy will build upon the Pan-Canadian Framework and adaptation strategies, aiming to unite actors across Canada through shared priorities and cohesive action.

How does Canada protect the environment?

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has safeguarded over 14 million hectares of land across Canada for biodiversity and climate values, and runs carbon offset programs. The government of Canada has committed to protecting 25 of its land and oceans by 2025 and 30 by 2030, aiming to protect biodiversity and stabilize greenhouse gas emissions. Targeted protection helps identify and safeguard Canadian landscapes that store significant amounts of carbon, ensuring they are not destroyed and carbon stored within them is not released into the atmosphere. This commitment is crucial for the fight against climate change.

What has Canada done to reduce air pollution?

Canada has implemented stringent air pollution regulations for various vehicles and engines, aiming to reduce black carbon emissions and ozone precursors. Federal regulations for sulphur in gasoline and diesel fuel also contribute to emissions reductions. Provincial and territorial measures include transportation programs and policies like motor vehicle inspections and scrappage programs. In 2013, Canada published regulations to limit air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from marine shipping in Canadian coastal waters.

Draft emissions regulations for the rail sector were published in 2016. Canada already has one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, with about 80 percent of its production coming from non-emitting sources. In 2016, the government announced its intention to accelerate the phase out of traditional coal-fired generating units to achieve 90 non-emitting electricity by 2030. Performance standards for natural gas-fired electricity are also being developed to support this transition.

Is Canada a carbon negative country?

Canada, a major global leader in climate change, has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Despite its extensive forest areas, Canada is not carbon negative. Climate change is causing changes in weather patterns and increasing frequency of events like floods, hurricanes, and droughts. Governments have pledged to cut emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050. However, it is not possible to go one step further by being a carbon negative country.

The latest IPCC climate change report in 2021 highlighted the role humans play in climate change, and many leaders at the COP26 climate summit announced various measures to prevent further damage. Some examples of carbon neutral countries include:

1. Canada: Increasing its forest areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.\n2

What is Canada doing to reduce methane emissions?

Canada has made significant strides in regulating methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, becoming one of the first countries to do so. The country has committed to a plan to reduce methane emissions by at least 75 percent by 2030, from 2012 levels. The oil and gas sector, which is a major economic contributor, is also the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Canada’s plan includes regulations, cap, Emissions Reduction Fund, Clean Fuel Regulations, and an Output-Based Pricing System. Additionally, Canada’s farmers are crucial in developing and implementing solutions to tackle climate change and build resilience.

What is Canada doing to stop water pollution?

Canada’s government has implemented several national initiatives under the Action Plan for Clean Water, aiming to preserve and protect major watersheds for future generations. These include the Oceans Action Plan, the Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities, clean-up funding for water bodies, wastewater regulations, and water science. Pollution prevention is a key strategy, involving regulation of industries like metal mines and pulp and paper.

The Chemicals Management Plan aims to limit toxic chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) from entering Canada’s freshwater reserves. Environment and Climate Change Canada has also introduced regulations to restrict the use of phosphates in household cleaning products and laundry and dishwasher detergents. A network of specialists collects water quality data from over 3, 000 sites across Canada. The Building Canada Fund is investing in infrastructure to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities.

The government collaborates with provinces and territories to develop regulations, such as the Wastewater System Effluent Regulations, which set the country’s first national standards for sewage treatment. A $2. 5-million investment in the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global Environment Monitoring System, GEMS/Water, is also making significant international contributions. These measures ensure access to clean, safe, and healthy water, a reliable and secure water supply, and wise use of water resources both economically and ecologically.

What is Canada’s environmental strategy?

Canada’s Environmental and Climate Change Council (ECCC) science is recognized globally and plays a crucial role in the country’s implementation of international agreements and collaborations. The ECCC’s expertise is used in areas such as affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and conservation of life below water and on land.

Canada has also played a key role in establishing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to conserve 30 of the country’s lands and oceans by 2030 through a renewed National Biodiversity Strategy.

The ECCC’s climate change science and research activities support Canada’s active participation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, contributing significantly to the body of data and knowledge that informs the Panel’s sixth assessment report. Canada has joined over 120 countries to commit to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and has set progressive five-year reduction targets to achieve that objective.

Advancements in science are also happening within the Department, with the ECCC Departmental Science Advisor participating in Canada’s Office of the Chief Science Advisor DSA Network, adopting the Policy on Scientific Integrity and the Open Science Action Plan to guide values for science and support public trust in federal science. The Indigenous Science Division has been created to promote research relationships founded on respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. A new Science Advice Governance Framework will promote evidence-informed decision-making, collaboration across disciplines, and knowledge synthesis.

ECCC has strengthened research and data security and culture, established the Office of the Chief Data Officer, introduced behavioral science through the Program of Applied Research on Climate Action, and publicly communicated a detailed picture of Canada’s environmental state through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators.