Canada lays out C$9.1 billion roadmap to meet 2030 climate targets

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes a keynote speech on his emissions reduction plan at the GLOBE Forum 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada March 29, 2022. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

March 29, 2022

By Nia Williams and Ismail Shakil

(Reuters) -Canada released its first real roadmap to meeting 2030 climate targets on Tuesday, laying out detailed plans and C$9.1 billion in new spending to cut planet-warming carbon emissions after years failing to meet its goals.

The Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) is the first time Canada has had a comprehensive and detailed plan, rather than just a collection of policies, setting out how it will meet its international commitment to cut carbon emissions 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Climate think-tanks called it a “watershed moment” for Canadian climate policy, but warned Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government needed to follow through.

“A plan is just a plan without action. Expedited implementation will be key to success, and Canada now needs to shift into high gear,” said Rick Smith, president of the Canadian Climate Institute.

The ERP was introduced under the requirements of Canada’s Net-Zero Accountability Act, which the government adopted last summer in a bid to produce more binding climate policies.

Canada has missed every emissions reduction target it has ever set but Trudeau said fighting climate change was one of his government’s top priorities during last year’s election campaign, and a recent deal with the opposition New Democrats should ensure the passage of climate legislation for the next three years.

Canada is the world’s fourth largest oil producer and 10th largest carbon emitter. The oil and gas industry is its highest polluting industry, followed by transportation.

However, the oil and gas sector is expected to only cut emissions 31% below 2005 levels by 2030, according to the ERP.

“We’re laying down a clear, reasonable contribution for the (oil and gas) sector to make, so we can drive work forward on our commitment to cap and cut emissions,” Trudeau told a conference in Vancouver.

“With record profits, this is the moment for the oil and gas sector to invest in the sustainable future that will be good for business, good for communities, and good for our future.”

The relatively low target for the oil and gas sector means other parts of the economy will have to make deeper emissions cuts if Canada is to hit its 40-45% reduction target, said Simon Dyer, deputy executive director of the Pembina Institute.

“We believe the oil and gas sector has the ability to do more, and do its fair share,” Dyer said.

The ERP set an interim goal of cutting planet warming carbon emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2026. While not an official target like the 2030 objective, the 2026 goal will be a major measure of whether Canada is on track.

The government will also bring in a mandate to ensure 60% of light-duty vehicle sales are emissions-free by 2030, and 100% are emissions-free by 2035.

Those targets put Canada “among the pack of leading jurisdictions” in terms of zero-emission vehicle mandates, said Merran Smith, executive director of Clean Energy Canada.

(Additional reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa and Caitlin Webber in Washington; editing by Grant McCool and Marguerita Choy)

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases