Net-zero emissions by 2050

What is Net-Zero?

Achieving net-zero emissions means our economy either emits no greenhouse gas emissions or offsets its emissions, for example, through actions such as tree planting or employing technologies that can capture carbon before it is released into the air. This is essential to keeping the world safe and livable for our children and grandchildren.

Canada’s plan to reach Net-Zero

The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which became law in June 2021, enshrines in legislation Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act ensures transparency and accountability as the government works to deliver to its targets. The Act requires public participation and independent advice to guide the Government of Canada’s efforts.

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy

Building on the actions in Canada’s strengthened climate plan and the Pan-Canadian Framework , the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan  reflects input from provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, the Net-Zero Advisory Body, and interested Canadians on what is needed to reach its Paris Agreement target to reduce emissions by 40-45 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.

In December 2023, the Government of Canada published the Emission Reduction Plan Progress Report (ERP PR). In 2015, Canada was trending to exceed 2005 greenhouse gas emissions levels by nine percent by 2030, but since then, many sectors of the economy have made real and measurable progress to lower their emissions, helping Canada successfully bend the emissions curve and putting Canada on track to beat the previous target of 30 per cent reductions below 2005 levels.

With the full implementation of the 2030 ERP, Canada is projected to surpass Canada’s interim objective of 20 per cent below 2005 levels by 2026. Between previously announced measures and the additional actions in the ERP PR, Canada remains on track to meet its ambitious but achievable 2030 target.

Recent accomplishments include publishing the draft Clean Electricity Regulations, publishing the strengthened draft oil and gas methane regulations, and a regulatory framework outlining Canada’s approach to cap emissions from the oil and gas sector.  Canada reached a milestone in late 2023 by publishing the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard – the first regulations to be finalized from the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

Emissions projections and progress towards our 2030 climate targets.

Updated emissions projections (modelled on the 2024 NIR data) will be available in December 2024.

Net-Zero Advisory Body

The Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB) was launched in February 2021. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, mandates the NZAB to engage Canadians and provide independent advice to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with respect to achieving Canada’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050. NZAB members are appointed by the Governor Council and bring together a diverse range of expertise. The NZAB provides independent advice to the Minister based on the best available scientific information and knowledge, including Indigenous Knowledge. The NZAB is committed to transparency and must submit an annual report to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with respect to its independent advice and activities.

The NZAB submitted its first report, Compete and Succeed in a Net-Zero Future, on December 30, 2022, to which the Minister publicly responded on April 19, 2023. This report focused on three lines of inquiry: net-zero governance, net-zero industrial policy, and net-zero energy systems. In March 2024, the NZAB released its second What We Heard Report, sharing its engagement efforts from 2022 and 2023, and what it heard during its engagement activities during that time.

Further information on the NZAB’s activities can be found on its website.

The Net-Zero Challenge

The private sector has an essential role to play in helping Canada achieve net-zero emissions. The Government of Canada launched the Net-Zero Challenge to encourage businesses operating in Canada to develop and implement credible and effective plans to transition their facilities and operations to net-zero emissions by 2050. There has been an impressive response from the private sector to date, which includes participating companies of all sizes spanning many sectors of the Canadian economy - from energy, transportation, construction, and heavy industry, to information technology (IT), retail, and more. In committing to net-zero, companies are taking action now to help safeguard Canada’s environment for our children and grandchildren, while stimulating innovation, demonstrating corporate responsibility, and ensuring their long-term competitiveness in a decarbonizing global economy.

Links

• Success Stories: Climate action by communities and businesses
• Strategic Assessment of Climate Change – new major projects with a lifetime beyond 2050 are required to have a credible plan that outlines how they will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act
• Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body
• Government of Canada champions sustainable procurement through new green standards for major contracts - Canada.ca
• Canadian businesses continue to join the Net-Zero Challenge to drive climate action - Canada.ca