Canada emitted 708 megatonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gases in 2022, according to figures obtained by Radio-Canada and which will be revealed Thursday in the National Inventory Report by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
A text from Laurence Martin
This is a rebound of around 10 Mt compared to 2021 — a year marked by several confinements, which had an impact on economic activity and on the quantity of emissions produced in the country.
The office of the Minister of the Environment, Steven Guilbeault, however, believes that the 2022 data are encouraging
because they remain lower than those of 2019, the last pre-pandemic year when emissions were compiled. In 2019, 752 Mt of emissions GHG were produced in Canada, or 44 Mt more than in 2022.
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We expected the rebound to continue, after the pandemic, in terms of emissions
says the spokesperson for Greenpeace Patrick Bonin. The good news is that the rebound is lower than expected.
According to the ecologist, the figures show that the regulations are effective and produce results.
However, he believes that Canada must redouble our ardor
to achieve its climate goals. The Trudeau government has committed to reducing its emissions by 40 to 45% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. However, emissions from GHG for 2022 represent a drop of 7% since 2005.
According to Mr. Bonin, the missing link
of the current climate plan, it is a cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector. The government clearly needs to intervene because this is not an industry that will self-regulate
he says.
Last December, the Liberal government committed to capping emissions from the oil and gas industry, but not before 2026. Additional details of the draft regulation, and especially its precise timetable, must be revealed in the coming months .
Oil, gas and transportation top the list
Oil and gas represent, once again in 2022, the most polluting sectors in Canada: a little more than 30% of carbon emissions. GHG come from there. In second place, we find everything related to transport.
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The 10 Mt increase in emissions between 2021 and 2022 would also be partly attributable to a resumption of travel and travel, after two calmer pandemic years in terms of transport.
Other details will be revealed when the report is submitted at midday.
