Canada's Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990 - 1999

Since 1996, the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the Canadian economy -a measure of the amount of GHGs emitted per unit of economic activity - has improved significantly. In fact, the 3% improvement in 1999 is the largest improvement we have seen in the 1990's (Figure 1).

In 1995, GHG emissions grew by 2.6% while our economy grew by nearly 3.0%. In comparison, in 1999, our GHG emissions grew by just 1.4% while our economy grew by 4.5%¹. This tells us that the Canadian economy is growing in a more GHG-efficient manner. In other words, the growth in our GHG emissions has slowed, while our economy has continued to grow, indicating a de-coupling between GHG emissions and economic growth. In order to achieve our Kyoto target we must continue to improve the GHG intensity of our economy.

In Figure 2, we see that total emissions of all GHGs in 1999 were 699 megatonnes (Mt) measured in units of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂ eq), 15% above the 1990 level of 607 Mt. Although the overall rate of increase since 1990 shows emissions rising, the upward trend is slowing down. As well, new data on Canada's GHG emissions in 1999 demonstrate progress in reducing emissions in some areas of the economy but also identifies where more work needs to be done.

Factors affecting emission growth in recent years include increases in coal consumption for electricity and steam generation, growth in fossil fuel production (largely for export), and increases in Canadian transportation energy consumption. It is estimated that in 1999, over 45 Mt of CO₂ eq released was attributable to the export of fossil fuels, with Natural Gas contributing twice that of Crude Oil (30 Mt vs. 16 Mt respectively).

More specifically, releases from Electricity and Heat Generation were up over 24%, Fossil Fuel Industries' emissions grew by 26% and GHGs from Transport, driven by increases in trucking activity and the number of private Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and vans on the road, rose by 24%. Emissions from light duty trucks, which include pick-up trucks, SUVs and vans, have increased by 57% since 1990, while emissions from cars have actually decreased 7%. The Canadian vehicle fleet is growing and shifting towards more light duty trucks that, on average, emit 40% more GHGs per kilometer than cars.

Emissions from energy consumption in manufacturing have dropped slightly since 1990, even though the sector grew 32% by 1999. This has occurred primarily as a result of improved energy efficiency within advanced products and services (such as electronic, automotive and aerospace) and other manufacturing industries. Emissions from the production of adipic acid during the manufacture of nylon have dropped considerably since 1996, due to process improvements. This one process change will reduce emissions in the industrial sector by 10 Mt.

Action Plan 2000

In Fall 2000, the Government of Canada announced Action Plan 2000, a five year, $500 million initiative that will reduce Canada's GHG emissions by about 65 megatonnes per year during the commitment period of 2008-2012, taking us one third of the way to our Kyoto target. Action Plan 2000 sets the course for further action in all sectors of the Canadian economy and lays the groundwork for the long-term behavioral, technological and economic change that is needed to improve the efficiency of our economy. Many of the initiatives in Action Plan 2000 will also help improve air quality and protect human health.

To reduce emissions in the electricity sector, Action Plan 2000 is:

• Expanding the use of low or non-emitting energy sources by four times current levels by - purchasing 20% of federal electricity requirements from emerging low or non-emitting sources; and, providing financial incentives to emerging renewable energy distributors to stimulate sales in residential and small-business markets.
• Reducing barriers to inter-provincial trade and transmission of electricity by - working with interested jurisdictions to increase access to electricity grids for emerging low or non-emitting generating sources.
• Encouraging consumers to purchase electricity form low or non-emitting sources by - helping retailers to provide consumer information on the sources and attributes of their electricity supply.

To reduce emissions in the transportation sector, Action Plan 2000 is:

• Improving the fuel efficiency of new vehicles by - negotiating with the automobile industry and the United States to achieve significant new vehicle fuel improvements by 2010.
• Increasing the use of biofuels by - tripling the production of biomass ethanol so that as much as 25% of Canada's total gasoline supply could contain 10% ethanol, a blend that can be used by all vehicles.
• Demonstrating the best urban transportation technologies and strategies to reduce GHG emissions by - supporting pilot projects to reduce the use of cars and shift to less GHG-intensive travel alternatives.
• Developing refuelling infrastructure for fuel cell vehicles by - demonstrating options for refuelling and addressing regulatory barriers to the increased use of fuel cell vehicles.

To reduce emissions in the oil and gas sector, Action Plan 2000 is:

• Improving energy efficiency by - expanding the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation to include the oil and gas sector.
• Encouraging carbon dioxide capture and storage by - working with partners to facilitate the development and deployment of technologies required to capture CO₂ and store it in depleted oil fields or deep saline aquifers. This technology also applies to capturing emissions from coal-fired electricity plants in western Canada.

To reduce emissions in the industrial processing and manufacturing sector, Action Plan 2000 is:

• Improving energy efficiency by - expanding and broadening efforts under the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation, providing incentives for new industrial buildings that exceed the Model National Code for Building by at least 25%, cost-sharing energy audits for small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Helping companies benchmark their energy efficiency performance by - providing confidential reports comparing productivity and energy efficiency against other companies in their sector.

To reduce emissions in the buildings sector, Action Plan 2000 is:

• Improving energy efficiency in residential building by - upgrading the Model National Energy Code for Houses, broadening the existing EnerGuide for Houses rating system, and promoting construction of R-2000 homes.
• Improving energy efficiency of appliances and equipment by - tightening standards and encouraging the purchase of best-in-class products.
• Encouraging energy efficient retrofits of commercial and institutional buildings by - providing information to decision makers on the benefits.

Click to see an enlarged version of the Summary Table.

¹ Statistics Canada, CANSIM

Related Documents:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Web Site [information collection]
• Climate Change Web Site [information collection]