Federal Government Announces New Emissions Target for 2035
December 12, 2024
The federal government has announced that Canada will aim to reduce emissions by 45–50% below 2005 levels by 2035, setting a target that maintains the country’s path to a strong, net-zero economy.
The 2035 target builds on Canada’s existing 2030 target, which aims to reduce emissions by 40–45% below 2005 levels.
The Net-Zero Advisory Body released a report in September of this year advising the federal government to adopt an emission reduction target of 50%-55% below 2005 levels for 2035.
In 2015, Canada’s emissions were projected to increase by 9% by 2030 when compared to 2005 levels.
Canada’s GHG emissions were 708 megatonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (Mt) in 2022, which was an increase of 1.3% compared to 2021. In 2023 the Canadian Climate Institute (CCI) estimates Canada emitted 702 megatonnes, down 5.6 Mt, but still up from 2020 (686 Mt) and 2021 (698 Mt).
“The 2035 target was informed by the best available science, Indigenous Knowledge, international climate change commitments, consultations with provinces and territories and expert advice,” said the government in its press release on their 2035 emissions targets. “It will orient the next decade of climate action in Canada, while reflecting the needs of Canadians and the economy. The climate action we take today will lead to a greener, more prosperous low-carbon economy tomorrow.”
“Canada is poised to continue this progress by attracting up to $25 billion every year to reduce emissions, spark innovation, and expand access to sustainable options. The newly established target for 2035 will ensure Canada’s sustained momentum towards a clean and sustainable economy by mid-century.”
In the near term, Canada will seek feedback on how to help companies take advantage of the economic opportunities that come with building a clean economy. This will include engaging with a broad range of partners and stakeholders to examine the role technologies that permanently remove carbon dioxide can play in this transition. In doing so, Canada will signal the importance of this suite of emerging technologies and explore the benefits and challenges associated with them, including how to most effectively leverage their economic potential.
“Thanks to the work of Canadians from every region of this country, we are succeeding in cutting our pollution to the lowest level in over 27 years, while our economy is growing. We are doing that by supporting the industries that are creating jobs for Canadians, alongside measures that help Canadians with cost-savings in their daily lives. Today is about building on that progress. As we look ahead to the next three decades, this target keeps us on track to keep the promise to our kids and grandkids that the world we leave behind for them will be safe, sustainable, affordable and prosperous,” commented Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
An independent assesment released in 2023 showed that Canada was on track to achieve 85%-90% of its 2030 emissions targets. “Current policies are working,” said CCI at the time. “The Institute’s assessment includes modelling that shows emissions would be 7 per cent higher today, and 41 per cent higher by 2030, without climate actions taken to date by all levels of government since 2015.” CCI added that faster progress was needed to meet net-zero goals.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Jerry V. DeMarco’s departmental progress report on sustainable development strategies conlcuded that government departments failed to fully exucture their plans, limiting their contribution to Canada’s clean power generation and energy efficiency targets in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.
The federal government wants provinces to step up to help reduce emissions fasters. The Net-Zero Advisory Body, an independant group established as part of the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (2021), recommended a 50%-55% percent target. The CBC reorted that Guilbeault’s department believes that is possible with more buy-in from provinces.
“If we could work constructively with provinces across the country, then Canada will be able to do much more much, much faster,” said Guilbeault. “Let’s be very honest with each other: some provinces are refusing to act on climate change, [to] even recognize that climate change is a problem.”
Alberta has released regulations making it more difficult for renewable energy projects, despite being a prime location for renewable development and having been a leader in renewable projects in recent years. The provinces has also invloked its Sovereignty Act in response to federal requirements around a net-zero electriicty grid by 2035.
Alberta wants to work towards its 2050 target for a carbon neutral grid.
Global News reported that Alberta introduced a motion that includes potentially creating a Crown electricity corporation in the province’s electricity marketplace. Under the Sovereignty Act, the provincial government cannot tell private companies to go against federal law. They could apply Sovereignty Act measures to a Crown utility.
Quick facts
- The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act established a commitment to set five-year national emissions reduction targets, 10 years in advance, to achieve net-zero emissions in Canada by 2050. The 2035 target is the next step in achieving this important goal.
- Global temperature increases are already reaching 1.1 °C and continuing to rise. Limiting global temperature increase to between 1.5 °C and 2 °C, as agreed upon in the Paris Agreement and which the overwhelming majority of climate experts view as critical, requires urgent and immediate greenhouse gas emission reductions.
- The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act requires the federal government to set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2035 by December 1, 2024, and to publish the 2035 Emissions Reduction Plan by the end of 2029.
- All credible net-zero scenarios suggest a significant amount of carbon dioxide removal will be needed to achieve global climate goals. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recognized three ways that cardon dioxide removal can complement direct emissions reductions: helping to lower net emissions in the near term, enabling net-zero emissions in the medium term and achieving net-negative emissions in the longer term.
- Canada’s Carbon Management Strategy recognizes the need to scale up solutions that permanently remove emissions from the atmosphere, since some residual emissions are likely to remain despite aggressive mitigation efforts, including in agriculture, aviation and shipping.
- Thirty-five percent (35%) of Canada’s goods exports come from emissions-intensive and trade-exposed sectors, with up to 40% of domestic greenhouse gas emissions being driven by foreign demand—approximately three times as much as the U.S.