Canadian Mitigation & Adaptation Strategies
Canada produces and consumes a very large amount of energy. It contributes up to 2% of the world’s total GHG emissions and, in 2016, was one of the top emitters per capita alongside China (28%), the United States (14%), and the European Union (10%).27 About 81% of Canada’s GHG emissions come from the energy sector. In 2020, Canada exported CAD 95.1 billion and imported CAD 30.9 billion in energy products, with the majority coming from and going to the US. The energy sector directly contributed to 5.8% of Canada’s nominal GDP in 2020, which is equivalent to CAD 121 billion.28
In order to mitigate and adapt to the climate change impacts of its problematic energy production and consumption patterns, Canada has adopted a number of policies. Canada is a founding member of the Climate Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions, and civil society organizations that take action to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) to protect the climate and improve air quality.29 Canada’s efforts under the CCAC include reducing SLPCs in agriculture, the use of heavy machinery, and the production of waste.30
Below are a few more examples of federal and provincial action plans to address climate change in Canada. These initiatives focus on mitigating GHG emissions, building accountability and transparency within government processes, and increasing partnerships between government agencies, health authorities, and Indigenous communities. More about each of these frameworks can be found on the resources page at the end of the chapter.
Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (the Pan-Canadian Framework)
Objective
The Pan-Canadian Framework was developed in 2016 as the first nation-wide response to climate change, promoting resilience and clean economic growth, as well as aiming to meet the proposed 2030 Paris Agreement goals of a 45% reduction in global emissions and to reach net zero emissions by 2050. As the standard for many Canadian climate change and sustainability plans, this framework has guided the modification of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and its regulations on industrial sectors such as oil and gas, transportation, and electricity.31 For example, a 2010 amendment outlined requirements for passenger automobiles manufactured after 2012 to conform to exhaust emission standards for nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) in order to reduce GHG emissions.32
Partnerships
The Framework involves joint and individual commitments between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as Indigenous communities, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and individuals.31
Pillars/Actions
More than 50 action plans across economic sectors are organized into four main pillars: pricing carbon pollution, complementary action to reduce emissions, adaptation and climate resilience, and clean technology, innovation, and jobs.31
Planning/Reporting
For accountability and oversight of progress, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments are committed to yearly reporting of the Framework’s implementation progress to the First Ministers and Canadians. This Pan-Canadian Framework Annual Synthesis Report started in 2017, and the latest report was published in 2020.33 Updated reports for 2021 and 2022 have not yet been made available.
Impact
With the full implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework policies and additional measures, CO2 emission levels are predicted to reduce from 815Mt before implementation to 588Mt by 2030. Although this predicted outcome does not meet Canada’s 2030 target of reducing CO2 emissions to 511Mt, significant additional reductions are projected over the lifetime of this Framework.31 In the PCF’s Annual Synthesis Report from 2020, it was reported that governments, both provincial and national, are continuing to expand renewable energy capacity as well as the production and consumption of low-carbon fuels through implementing programs such as the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program, which aims to reduce the reliance of rural communities on diesel. The Report also noted that BC has worked with rural communities to support building clean energy infrastructure and has also developed a province-wide climate preparedness and adaptation strategy.33
2008 Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA) and Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)
Objective
The Federal Sustainable Development Act is the legal framework for the development and implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) implemented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.34 The FSDS prioritizes accountability through measurable and time-bound targets for sustainability in Canada over a 4-year period. The most recent FSDS, 2022-2026, is a cumulative document outlining the sustainability goals, targets, milestones, and implementation strategies for 101 federal agencies.35 The aim of the FSDA and the FSDS is to make sustainable development decision-making and reporting more transparent and accountable as well as to promote coordinated action across sectors of the Government of Canada.34 Nine out of the seventeen sustainable development goals as outlined by the FSDS relate directly to climate change and ecosystem disruption, highlighting its priority in policy and practice in sustainability discourse. All seventeen of the goals can be found here.36
Partnerships
Major partners in the FSDS include Health Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and Natural Resources Canada. The most recent strategy proposal, covering 2022 to 2026, supports the Pan-Canadian Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals while directly integrating citizen voices into its planning. Under the FSDA, the FSDS must go through public consultations for at least 120 days during its drafting process.35 The main partners that provide feedback during this period include the Sustainable Development Advisory Council and members of the public. The Sustainable Development Advisory Council is composed of representatives from each province and territory, as well as specific groups such as Indigenous community members, environmental NGOs, businesses, and labor union representatives. Feedback from the consultations is to be actively incorporated into strategy development.35
Pillars/Actions
Seventeen goals for 2030 make up the basis for the 2022-2026 FSDS, under which medium- and short-term goals are identified. These seventeen goals are based upon the UN Sustainable Development Goals and, for the first time under the amended FSDA, they encompass the social, economic, and environmental components of sustainable development.37 The goals reflect Canada’s priority areas of “achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; conserving nature and biodiversity for future generations; advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities; promoting gender equality; and supporting innovation and economic growth.”37 Targets under Goal 7: Increasing Canadians’ Access to Clean Energy, for instance, consist of ensuring adequate, equitable, and affordable access to clean energy sources, substantially increasing the share of renewable energy sources, and doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.37
Planning/Reporting
Transparency and accountability are central to the FSDA. The 2022-2026 FSDS mandates that all targets must be measurable and include a specific timeframe. Federal agencies will also be required to report on how they are implementing their own sustainability initiatives in line with the goals of the Act.37 The FSDS progress reports are published every three years, outlining the progress of set goals using specific indicators.37
Impact
The FSDA and its accompanying 4-year plans for implementation under the FSDS are representative of a concerted effort by the Government of Canada to tackle climate change mitigation. The FSDS goals to prioritize sustainable development in all governmental decision-making, strengthen partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, focus on intergenerational equity, and commit to openness and transparency in all target setting and reporting are ambitious.37 Participating federal agencies increased from 42 to 101 under the new FSDS indicating that progress and receptivity to this strategy are improving.37 The Government of Canada has committed to revising and updating the current FSDS over the course of the next four years to stay in alignment with global targets and additional national sustainability frameworks.
