Clean Energy Canada | Latest Canadian emissions data shows progress in a growing economy
May 2, 2024

VICTORIA — Mark Zacharias, executive director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the latest emissions data from Canada’s National Inventory Report:

“The latest emissions report shows Canada is moving in the right direction. While carbon pollution increased by 1.3% between 2021 and 2022, it remained 7.1% below 2005 levels and 5.9% below pre-pandemic levels (2019), putting Canada on track to meet its 2026 climate target and in reach of its 2030 target.

“A slight increase in emissions was expected for 2022 as Canada continued to rebound from the pandemic. Notably, the 1.3% growth in emissions was considerably less than the 3.8% increase in GDP.

“The federal government has brought to bear an impressive suite of climate measures, including carbon pricing. And we’re seeing evidence of this action as Canada’s economy and population grow. 

“But with provinces holding the wheel on big energy, investment, and infrastructure decisions, it’s time for them to pull their weight. Indeed, although provinces are responsible for 80% of public spending, the collective ambition of provincial climate targets adds up to less than half the national target.

“With Canada set to see 700,000 more energy jobs in a net-zero 2050 than exist today—and households on track to spend 12% less on energy in that same future—going all in on clean energy will unlock household savings while setting provincial economies up for success. Ontario’s ability to attract $46 billion in mining and manufacturing investment since 2020, for example, comes as a result of embracing clean economic opportunities, recently culminating in a $15 billion investment from Honda. 

“As Canada’s largest trading partners transform their economies and Canada faces another record-breaking year of wildfires, climate action is no longer optional for prosperity. We applaud the federal government for recognizing this reality, and encourage provinces to better embrace the opportunity.” 

RESOURCES

Report | A Clean Bill 

Report | A Pivotal Moment 

KEY FACTS

  • Canada’s new National Inventory Report shows that overall emissions increased 1.3% from 2021 to 2022 (from 698 megatonnes in 2021 to 708 megatonnes in 2022).
  • The breakdown of emissions changes by Canadian economic sectors from 2021 to 2022 is:

    • Oil & gas: +1 megatonne
    • Electricity: -4 megatonnes
    • Transportation: +6 megatonnes
    • Heavy industry: 0 megatonnes
    • Buildings: +4 megatonnes
    • Agriculture: +1 megatonne
    • Waste and others: +2 megatonnes

  • While the federal government has committed to cutting Canada’s emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, the formal emissions reduction targets of the provinces and territories amount to less than half the national target, according to the Canadian Climate Institute.
  • Since 2016, Ottawa has covered roughly 80% of the cost of climate action, and is reaching its fiscal capacity, according to RBC.
  • A family that adopts a few common clean energy solutions—including EVs and heat pumps—could knock $800 off their monthly energy bills, compared to one that is largely reliant on fossil fuels.
  • Under the federal government’s system, the carbon price costs an average of $578 annually per household, while the average climate action incentive payment is $712 per year. In short, most Canadians are actually better off, receiving more money back than they pay. 
  • Canadians saw a record-setting wildfire season in 2023, and Canada is at risk of another devastating wildfire season in 2024. Alberta already declared the start of its wildfire season as early as February this year.
  • In 2023, for the second year in a row, Canada saw over $3 billion in insured damage from natural disasters and severe weather events like wildfires and flooding, making that year the fourth worst one for insured losses ever.