Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: Canada on track to miss its targets

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QMI agency

Tuesday, march 27, 2018 12:39

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Tuesday, march 27, 2018 12:41

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OTTAWA | If nothing is done, Canada will miss its target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, finds a new report from the environmental commissioner.

“We do not expect that Canada was able to achieve its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Moreover, in order to reach its target of 2030, Canada will have to make significant efforts and take measures that go beyond those that are already planned or underway,” notes the commissioner, Julie Gelfand in her report.

Canada wishes to reduce by 17 % its emissions of GHG by 2020 compared to its 2005 level, and 30 % by 2030.

The document compiles the studies on the topic, from November 2016 to march 2018, by the auditors general of the provinces and territories, as well as by the auditor general of Canada.

Overall, significant gaps still remain across the country in the measures put in place by the various levels of government.

“Most governments in canada have not evaluated the risks posed by climate change. They do not understand them so well and they don’t know what actions they need to take to adapt to a climate that is constantly changing,” notes the report.

Quebec is not taken into account in this comparative study, because the provincial government had conducted its work on the issue before November 2016.

Among the 12 provinces and territories for which data have been produced during the reporting period, five have established GHG emission reduction targets. Of this number, only New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are on track to achieve.

The report notes that even in provinces that have a plan, it is often faulty and does not specify any step, no deadline and no source of funding specific to achieve the set objectives.

The commissioner also notes a limited coordination in the fight against the emission of GHG between the governments.

This is not the first time that the commissioner Gelfand press the federal government to act. Not later than the fall of 2017, she noted that too few measures had been put in place to achieve the targets of 2030.