How do we get to net-zero?
In December 2019, the federal government made a commitment to develop a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Net zero is achieved when we can significantly reduce our carbon emissions and any remaining emissions are completely offset by actions that remove carbon from the atmosphere, such as carbon capture and storage, planting trees and increasing climate finance to reduce global emissions. The more we reduce up front, however, the less we must offset. As we learned this week, Canada’s fair share means reducing domestic emissions by at least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030 and providing an additional 80% through global climate financing.
So what options are the federal government considering to both reduce carbon emissions and remove carbon from the atmosphere? In 2016, the federal government introduced the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, which introduced carbon pricing, regulations for methane emissions, the phase-out of coal-fired electricity, and more. However, this framework does not align with the new target of reaching net-zero by 2050. The Pan-Canadian Framework was only the beginning.
Today we explore some of the policies that can get us to net-zero, including carbon pricing, a national decarbonization strategy and more.
TODAY’S RESOURCE
Read the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ plan for a just transition of the Canadian economy. Watch the short video below and explore these fast facts on carbon pricing from the Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission.
TODAY’S ACTION
Explore the EN-ROADS Simulator to see what policies have the most impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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