Canada’s government is making strides in cutting its carbon emissions, but the nation as a whole is lagging behind on climate targets. Recently, the federal government announced that it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 42.5% since 2005. This surpasses the goal of a 40% reduction, amounting to the elimination of over 1 million tonnes of emissions. To put that into perspective, it’s like taking more than 238,000 gasoline cars off the road for a year.
The government aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. This means balancing out any remaining emissions with efforts to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Launched in 2017, this initiative is coordinated by the Treasury Board of Canada. It covers a wide range of assets, including government buildings, vehicles, and even the military’s fleets.
However, there are questions about how these achievements were measured. The recent announcement didn’t clarify if an independent review verified the emissions cuts. Also missing were details about emissions from suppliers and other indirect sources.
As Canada’s largest employer, the federal government owns a massive fixed asset portfolio valued at over $40 billion. This gives it the potential to influence other organizations, encouraging them to adopt greener practices.
In line with this initiative, the Treasury Board recently approved 25 new projects under the Greening Government Fund. These projects, which include recycling energy and using low-carbon fuels in the military, are part of a broader effort to cut emissions. The fund has already invested over $80 million into more than 130 projects aimed at making government operations more sustainable.
Despite these positive developments, Canada overall is not on track to meet its 2030 climate goals. Current forecasts suggest the country might only achieve a 21% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. For Canada to reach its target of a 40 to 45% reduction, experts are calling for more aggressive climate policies. Recent discussions in climate forums highlight that without immediate action, Canada might miss its targets by a wide margin.
In conclusion, while the federal government is leading by example, it faces the challenge of aligning this progress with a national strategy that effectively reduces emissions across all sectors.
Source link
