Reducing GHG emissions in Canada: what's at stake?
According to scientists, in order to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis, countries must reduce their GHG emissions by 43% by 2030, but current global efforts are largely insufficient to achieve this.
As one of the world's largest per capita GHG emitters, Canada must be more ambitious in terms of the targets it sets itself and the actions it implements to achieve them.
Where does Canada stand?
In 2021, Canada pledged to reduce its GHG emissions by 40-45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels (instead of the initial target of 30%). It is also committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Yet the country has failed to meet all of its previous climate targets. Why should this time be any different? Because the Canadian government is obliged to meet its target under Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, for which Équiterre worked hard!
Following the release of the 2022 Emissions Reduction Plan, the federal government recently published its first report. The figures are clear: if Canada limits itself to implementing all the measures to which it has committed, it will only reduce its emissions by 36% by 2030. That's why we need to tell the government to go further and faster, and demand that all sectors do their part and move in the right direction.
Our recommendations for reaching the next targets
To achieve our goals, all sectors of the economy and all provinces must contribute to reaching the target, because the Canadian government can't do it all alone.
Here are Équiterre's key demands to the Canadian government:
Oil and gas
Adopt regulations to cap and reduce the oil and gas sector emissions by the end of 2024 (a measure supported by 87% of Quebecers!).
Impose a tax on the record revenues of Canadian oil and gas companies.
End subsidies and public funding of fossil fuels.
Heavy industry
Strengthen the carbon pricing system to ensure predictability.
Transportation
Improve and secure funding for public transit operations and reduce solo car travel
Accelerate the development of public transit projects
Tighten emission standards for light vehicles
Reform the iVZE program, which offers subsidies for the purchase of electric cars
Extend it to electric-assist bicycles;
Fund it with a levy on the purchase of gas-guzzlers.
Electricity
Adopt the Clean Electricity Regulation by the end of 2024.
Buildings
Extend and renew the Greener Homes Grant Program and the Affordable Oil to Heat Pump Conversion Program.
Agriculture
Adopt the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy and include targets for reducing the use of inputs (synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that emit high levels of GHG).
Équiterre is a member of the Green Budget Coalition, which is offering many other recommendations.