Timeline: Canada’s domestic and international climate change milestones
Since Environment and Climate Change Canada was established 50 years ago, Canada has led and participated in decades of domestic and international progress on climate change, developing important partnerships at home and around the world to advance climate action. Explore this timeline to learn about some of the major moments in Canada’s history of global climate change action, and Canada’s milestones at home and abroad.
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1972
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June 5 to 16 – The United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment is held in Stockholm, Sweden. The UN Secretary-General invites Canadian Maurice Strong to lead the conference, which led to the creation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Strong would become UNEP’s first Executive Director. Since its creation, Canada has actively engaged with UNEP in many areas including climate change, biodiversity, chemicals and wastes, plastics, and air pollution.
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1987
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September 15 – The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer, is adopted in Montreal, Quebec. To date, the Montreal Protocol is the only UN treaty ever to have been ratified by every country on Earth. It is considered one of the most successful multilateral agreements, eliminating the majority of ozone depleting substances and putting the ozone layer on a path to recovery.
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1988
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June 27 to 30 – Canada hosts “The Changing Atmosphere: Global Implications for Global Security”, a landmark world conference in Toronto, Ontario. The conference brings together scientists, heads of state and policy makers from around the world to discuss the growing problem of global warming. The conference includes over 300 scientists and policy makers from 46 countries, UN organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
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1988
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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNEP create the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as the leading international body for assessing climate change.
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1990
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December 11 – Canada releases Canada’s Green Plan for a healthy environment (PDF). The Green Plan aims to secure, for current and future generations, a safe and healthy environment and a sound and prosperous economy. The plan represents a fundamental shift in the federal government’s view of economic development and environmental protection.
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1992
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June 3 to 14 – The UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (also known as the “Rio Summit”, “Rio Conference”, or “Earth Summit”) is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Canadian Maurice Strong is called again to lead the conference, leading to the three landmark “Rio Conventions”: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
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1995
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March 28 to April 7 – The UNFCCC hosts its first ever Conference of the Parties (COP1) in Berlin, Germany. Canada makes a bid to host the UNFCCC Secretariat in Toronto, Ontario, to demonstrate its commitment to the UNFCCC. Countries agree instead to select Bonn, Germany to host the Secretariat.
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1995
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Canada launches the National Action program on Climate Change (NAPCC), marking the beginning of a national strategy to address climate change science, mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and adapt to climate change. The NAPCC is Canada’s response to the UNFCCC and sets the strategic direction for pursuing Canada’s objective of meeting its commitment to stabilize GHG emissions at 1990 levels by 2000, and providing guidance for actions beyond 2000.
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1995
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The IPCC, supported by WMO Secretary-General, Nigerian G.O.P. Obasi, and UNEP Executive Director, Canadian Elizabeth Dowdeswell, publishes its Second Assessment Report (AR2). The report finds that GHG emissions and concentrations are increasing, the global climate has changed over the past century, and that the evidence suggests these are due to human influence.
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1996
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September 19 – The Arctic Council is established in Ottawa, Ontario, following adoption of the Ottawa Declaration. The pre-eminent forum for circumpolar cooperation, the Arctic Council is equally committed to the well-being of Arctic inhabitants and the protection of the Arctic environment. Canada’s Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs at the time, now Governor General, Mary Simon, was instrumental to the Arctic Council’s creation. This included ensuring Indigenous Peoples can make valuable contributions to the Arctic Council's activities as “Permanent Participants”.
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1997
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December 1 to 10 – Japan hosts UNFCCC COP3 in Kyoto, during which countries adopt the Kyoto Protocol.
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2000
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October – Canada releases the National Implementation Strategy on Climate Change, and the accompanying First National Climate Change Business Plan (FNBP). The Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change (PDF), released under the FNBP, commits to invest $500 million over five years on specific actions to reduce GHG emissions, with the goal of reducing emissions by 65 megatonnes per year from 2008 to 2012 and taking Canada one third of the way to meeting its Kyoto target.
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2001
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Canada is the first country to ratify the Stockholm Convention, a global agreement to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
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2002
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November – Canada releases the Climate Change Plan for Canada, which sets out a three-step approach to achieve Canada’s objective of reducing annual GHG emissions by 240 megatonnes. The Plan identifies action in five broad areas: transportation, housing and commercial/institutional buildings, large industrial emitters, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the international market. Earlier in the year, the government also releases Canada’s National Climate Change Business Plan 2002 (PDF).
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2002
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December 17 – Canada ratifies the Kyoto Protocol.
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2005
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April 13 – Canada releases a comprehensive climate change plan called Project Green – Moving Forward on Climate Change: A Plan for Honouring Our Kyoto Commitment, as an update to the 2002 Climate Change Plan.
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2005
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Canada joins the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), which aims to reduce global methane emissions, and advance the abatement, recovery, and use of methane as a valuable clean energy source. The GMI’s “Global Methane Challenge” showcases policies and technologies to reduce methane emissions around the world. Canada would later co-chair the GMI for several years.
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2005
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November 28 to December 9 – Canada hosts UNFCCC COP11 in Montreal, Quebec. With over 10,000 participants, COP11 was the largest intergovernmental climate conference since the Kyoto Protocol’s adoption in 1997. This meeting was supplemented by the first meeting of the Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force on February 16, 2005.
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2006
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October 19 – Canada's Clean Air Act is presented to Parliament. The Act includes a requirement to introduce a 5% ethanol or biodiesel fuel content, and an emissions reductions plan emphasizing new technologies developed with provinces and major industrial countries.
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2007
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April 26 – Canada announces the Turning the Corner Action Plan on Climate Change and Air Pollution (PDF). The plan is the cornerstone of the Government's efforts to address climate change and air pollution. The plan provides a framework for regulations and other measures to reduce air emissions from transportation, industrial sectors, consumers and commercial products, and to improve the quality of indoor air.
The Regulatory Framework for Air Emissions is also announced, requiring GHG and air pollutant reductions by the major emitting sectors: thermal electricity, oil and gas, and certain mining and manufacturing sectors. The targeted sectors account for approximately half of Canada's total combined GHG and air pollutant emissions.
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2007
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The IPCC, along with Al Gore, is awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to build up and share greater knowledge about human-caused climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures needed to counteract this change. ECCC officials are recognized for their contributions to the IPCC’s work, and the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
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2009
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June – Canada presents two draft documents related to an offset system for a national carbon market. The proposed cap and trade approach aligns with the U.S. congressional proposal and would set an economy-wide price signal based on upstream reduction obligations. The bills do not make it out of the senate, which shifts Canadian policy to a sector-by-sector approach.
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2009
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December 7 to 18 – Denmark hosts UNFCCC COP15 in Copenhagen. Countries finalize what would become the Copenhagen Accord, expressing clear political intent to limit carbon emissions and respond to climate change in the short and long term. Raising climate change policy to the highest political level, close to 115 world leaders attend the event, making it one of the largest gatherings of world leaders ever. Other key outcomes include developed countries' promises to fund actions to reduce GHG emissions and adapt to inevitable climate change effects in developing countries, towards mobilizing long-term finance of US$100 billion a year by 2020 from various sources.
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2010
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November 29 to December 10 – Mexico hosts UNFCCC COP16 in Cancun. Countries use this opportunity to officially adopt major tenets of the Copenhagen Accord, including limiting global warming to 2°C. Over 130 countries agreed to the Copenhagen Accord, including Canada, who committed to reducing GHG emissions to 17% below 2005 levels by 2020. COP16 also sees the establishment of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
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2010
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Canada adopts a sector-by-sector climate action approach in the early 2010s. There are 16 working groups and several regulations, including the 2010 Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations; the 2013 Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations; the 2010 Renewable Fuels Regulations; and the 2012 Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Coal-fired Generation of Electricity Regulations.
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2012
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Canada co-founds the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), a voluntary coalition of countries and organizations committed to reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), including methane, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and black carbon. Canada would later go on to co-chair the CCAC from 2016 to 2018.
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2015
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November 30 to December 12 – France hosts UNFCCC COP21 in Paris. Over 190 countries sign on to the Paris Agreement, with the goal of holding global average temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit increase to 1.5°C. A landmark achievement, the Paris Agreement is the first time a legally binding agreement brings all nations together towards common ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects. Canada attended with renewed focus on climate leadership, with a departmental name change to Environment and Climate Change Canada, and played a leading role in negotiations, particularly for the Agreement’s Article 6 on the use of international carbon markets to achieve emission reduction targets.
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2016
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March 3 – Canada’s First Ministers issue a joint communiqué and declaration to move toward a pan-Canadian framework for clean growth and climate change, to meet or exceeds Canada's international emissions targets, and transition to a stronger, low-carbon economy.
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2016
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Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council jointly establish three distinctions-based Senior Bilateral Tables on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Grounded in the recognition of rights, respect, and cooperation, the tables initiate a durable partnership in support of First Nations, Inuit and Métis climate priorities.
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2016
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October 5 – Canada ratifies the Paris Agreement, formalizing its first nationally determined contribution (NDC) of achieving an economy-wide target to reduce GHG emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. This helps contribute to meeting the threshold for the Paris Agreement’s early entry into force on November 4, 2016, almost 4 years earlier than expected. Canada also becomes one of the first countries to submit a long-term low emission development strategy (LT-LEDS) under the Agreement.
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2016
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October 15 – In Kigali, Rwanda, countries adopt an amendment to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol. Canada plays a leadership role in this process and becomes one of the first countries to ratify the “Kigali Amendment”. Thanks in part to Canada’s efforts, enough countries ratify the amendment by November 2017 that it enters into force in January 2019.
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2016
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December – Canada’s First Ministers adopt the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF). It is the first climate plan developed with provinces and territories and in consultation with Indigenous Peoples. The plan focused on growing Canada's economy, reducing GHG emissions, and building resilience to climate change.
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2017
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July – Under Germany’s Presidency, the Group of 20 (G20) establish the Climate Sustainability Working Group (CSWG), marking the first time climate change is significantly considered by the G20.
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2017
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September 16 – Canada, China, and the European Union convene the Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action (MOCA) in Montreal, Quebec. This advances discussions on the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and demonstrates continued political commitment to global action.
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2017
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Canada and the U.K. launch the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), a coalition of national and sub-national governments, businesses and organizations working to advance the transition from coal power generation to clean energy, at UNFCCC COP23.
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2017
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November 6 to 17 – Fiji, with support from Germany, hosts UNFCCC COP23 in Bonn, Germany. ECCC, alongside representatives of national Indigenous organizations, play a critical role in ensuring the successful launch of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform under the UNFCCC.
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2017
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A new branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada is created to facilitate the implementation of Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Clean Change. The up-to-$2 billion Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) is created to support projects to reduce GHG emissions and generate clean growth.
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2018
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Under Canada’s Presidency, the Group of 7 (G7) environment, oceans and energy Ministers meet on the theme “Working Together on Climate Change, Oceans and Clean Energy”. This is the first time the G7 linked these three issues together, and the first time Canada hosted G7 environment Ministers.
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2018
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May 16 and 17 – Canada hosts the Climate Leaders’ Summit: Women Kicking it on Climate, in Ottawa, Ontario. This meeting advanced ambitious action on climate change through supporting women’s leadership, reiterating Canada’s commitment to gender and climate change.
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2018
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June 21 – The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, which legislates the federal carbon pollution pricing system, comes into force. The federal system provides a backstop for provinces or territories that request it or that do not have their own carbon pricing systems that align with minimum national stringency requirements.
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2019
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ClimateData.ca, a collaborative climate information portal, is launched. The site enables Canadians to access, visualize, and analyze climate data, and provides related information and tools to support adaptation planning and decision-making. It demonstrates innovative approaches supported by the Government of Canada to take action on climate change.
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2019
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April – Canada hosts the Nature Champions Summit in Montreal, Quebec, bringing together governments, Indigenous leaders, major philanthropists, industry, civil society, and youth, among others, to drive ambitious global action for nature protection. A key focus of the Summit is recognizing the synergies and co-benefits from actions on nature, oceans, and climate change.
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2020
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March – Saudi Arabia, as G20 Presidency, hosts the first stand-alone G20 meeting for Environment Ministers.
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2020
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Canada co-convenes the Global Commission on Adaptation. The Commission spurs significant global momentum on adaptation and Canada positions itself as a leader, including through leadership of the Nature Based Solutions (NBS) Action Track with Mexico. Over the Year of Action on Adaptation, Canada supported the organization of a series of events which involved over 18,500 participants and engaged about 65 countries.
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2020
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December 11 – Canada introduces its strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, which includes over 60 new and strengthened federal measures and $15 billion in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. The plan builds off the successes of the PCF and enables Canada to exceed its original 2030 GHG reduction target of 30% below 2005 levels. As part of the plan, the Government also commits to develop Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous Peoples, and other key partners.
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2020
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December 12 – The UN, the United Kingdom, and France, in partnership with Chile and Italy, co-host the Climate Ambition Summit, marking 5 years since adoption of the Paris Agreement. Held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit sees countries set out new and ambitious commitments under the Agreement’s three pillars: mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
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2021
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April 22 and 23 – The United States hosts the Leader's Summit on Climate in a hybrid format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the largest virtual gathering of world leaders. Here, Canada announces its enhanced Paris Agreement emissions reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
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2021
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May to June – Under the United Kingdom’s Presidency, the G7 delivers the most ambitious environmental outcomes in its history. Dubbed the “net-zero G7”, Ministers focus on increasing climate ambition and accelerating the transition to clean energy. All G7 Members come forward with updated NDCs and commitments to net-zero by 2050.
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2021
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June – The Canadian Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act receives royal assent. The Act legislates Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and provides a durable accountability and transparency framework to deliver on it. Key features of the framework include a transparent process to plan, assess and adjust efforts to achieve national GHG emission reduction targets based on the best scientific information available, at regular intervals; provisions for public participation; and a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice.
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2021
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July 12 – Canada submits its enhanced NDC under the Paris Agreement, which commits to achieving economy-wide emissions reductions of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. Canada also publishes Canada’s Climate Actions for a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. The report provides an update on actions taken to support clean growth across Canada, with a focus on those since December 2020 and a nod to the efforts these actions build on.
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2021
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October 31 to November 12 – The United Kingdom hosts UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. A critical year for the environment, COP26 helped drive momentum and global ambition for addressing the climate crisis, and advanced the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. Canada highlighted its domestic and international leadership in addressing the climate crisis and supporting ambitious global action. This included co-leading, alongside Germany, a process to further build trust that developed countries stand by their commitments and deliver US$100 billion in climate financing through 2025.
Related links
- Canada's participation in international environmental agreements and instruments
- Environment and Climate Change Canada: 50 years of environmental action
- The Meteorological Service of Canada marks 150 years
- Timeline: Major milestones of Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Timeline: Major milestones of the Meteorological Service of Canada
- Climate change
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