Progress in reducing carbon emissions in Canada has shown a slowdown, as per the federal government’s annual report to the UN. The latest National Inventory Report for 2024 indicates minimal changes across various economic sectors compared to the previous year.
Dave Sawyer, principal economist at the Canadian Climate Institute, expressed doubts about Canada reaching its 2030 emissions target based on the recent data. The emissions for 2024 were slightly lower at 685 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, down from 687 MtCO2 in 2023.
Canada aims to reduce emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, as outlined in the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. Despite efforts to cut emissions in sectors like electricity generation, the oil and gas industry’s emissions have been on the rise, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia.
The growth in oil and gas production, including from the oilsands in northern Alberta, has offset the progress made in other areas like electric vehicles and cleaner electricity. Without addressing emissions from the oilsands, Canada’s overall emissions are likely to remain stagnant, according to Sawyer.