Government of Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
The Greening Government Strategy established climate and environmental commitments for the Government of Canada’s internal operations. The Government of Canada’s operations will be net-zero emissions by 2050 including:
- Government owned and leased real property
- Mobility: fleets, business travel and commuting
- Procurement of goods and services
- National safety and security operationsFootnote 1
To implement net-zero in real property and fleet operationsFootnote 2, the Government of Canada will reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2Footnote 3 GHG emissions by 40% by 2025 and at least 90% below 2005 levels by 2050. On this emissions reduction pathway, the government will aspire to reduce emissions by an additional 10% each 5 years starting in 2025.
In all the tables, the emissions data in kilotonnes of carbon equivalent are rounded to the nearest one decimal.
Visit the Open Government portal for more information about GHG emissions from federal facilities and fleets, or consult this infographic on the inventory of federal GHG emissions for fiscal year 2019 to 2020.
Progress
Progress toward the federal target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for facilities and administrative fleet operations.
Figure 1 - Text version
The bar graph shows federal greenhouse gas emissions from facilities and administrative fleet operations in kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent as a total and by source for fiscal years 2005 to 2006 and 2019 to 2020.
Data for the bar graph
| Sources of greenhouse gas | Emissions in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (kt CO2 eq) |
Emissions in fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
Percentage change compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary fuel combustion | 763.4 | 668.5 | -12% |
| Purchased electricity (including reductions from renewable energy certificates) | 740.2 | 317.6 | -57% |
| District energy | 126.9 | 67.5 | -47% |
| Administrative fleet | 169.5 | 123.3 | -27% |
| Total | 1800.0 | 1177.0 | -34.6% |
Key results
- 27 federal organizations reported greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for fiscal year 2019 to 2020
- The emissions for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 totalled 1,177 kilotonnes (kt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq), which represents a decrease of 623 kt CO2 eq or 34.6% (excluding National Safety and Security emissions), compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- There were 2 major sources of GHG emissions:
- stationary fuel combustion at federal facilities (57%)
- purchased electricity used at federal facilities (27%)
- Other less significant sources include:
- on-road vehicles (6%)
- district energy used at federal facilities (6%)
- marine vessels (3%)
- aircraft (1%)
- other mobile equipment (0.5%)
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the top 6 emitting organizations (National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Correctional Service Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Transport Canada) were responsible for 82% of the Government of Canada’s real property and administrative fleet GHG emissions
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the top 6 emitting regions of federal operations (Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick) were responsible for 84% of the Government of Canada’s real property and administrative fleet GHG emissions
- GHG emissions from federal facilities in fiscal year 2019 to 2020 totalled 1,054 kt CO2 eq, which is a reduction of 576 kt CO2 eq or 35.3% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- Reductions in GHG emissions from federal facilities can be attributed to:
- cleaner electricity, through:
- a reduction in the GHG intensity of electricity purchased across Canada (263 kt CO2 eq)
- contracting mechanisms, such as renewable energy certificates, which reduced an additional 91 kt CO2 eq
- a reduction in GHG emissions from district heating (37 kt CO2 eq) and cooling (23 kt CO2 eq)
- actions that led to reduced electricity use (67 kt CO2 eq) and stationary fuel combustion (95 kt CO2 eq), including rationalizing the portfolio and improving the energy efficiency of facilities through renovations and equipment retrofits
- cleaner electricity, through:
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the federal administrative fleet generated 123 kt CO2 eq, which was 27% lower than fleet emissions in fiscal year 2005 to 2006:
- On-road vehicles were the source of most of the reduction in emissions with a 35% decrease (38 kt CO2 eq) compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- The reduction was made possible through a combination of actions, including vehicle right-sizing and the purchase of more efficient vehicles
- An additional reduction of 7.8 kt CO2 eq compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 was achieved by marine vessels, aircraft and other mobile equipment
Facilities
Greenhouse gas emissions from federal facilities
The federal government has one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of facilities in the country, including:
- the buildings on Parliament Hill
- aircraft hangars on military bases
- laboratories
- correctional institutions
- office buildings and warehouses
Figure 2 - Text version
The bar graph shows the greenhouse gas emissions generated by federal facilities in kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent as a total and by source for fiscal years 2005 to 2006 and 2019 to 2020.
Data for the bar graph
| Source of GHG emissions | Emissions for fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (kt CO2 eq) |
Emissions in for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
Percentage change compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary fuel combustion | |||
| Natural gas | 574.5 | 554.1 | -3% |
| Light fuel oil | 57.9 | 41.0 | -29% |
| Heavy fuel oil | 71.0 | 11.2 | -84% |
| Jet fuel | 26.8 | 21.1 | -21% |
| Diesel | 22.3 | 29.8 | 34% |
| Propane | 10.7 | 11.8 | 10% |
| Purchased electricity | |||
| Market-based | 740.2 | 318.1 | -57% |
| Location-based | 740.2 | 409.2 | -45% |
| District energy | |||
| Heating | 103.1 | 66.1 | -36% |
| Cooling | 23.8 | 1.4 | -94% |
| Facilities total (market) | 1,630 | 1,054 | -35% |
| Facilities total (location) | 1,630 | 1,146 | -30% |
Key results
- 22 federal organizations reported greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by federal facilities in fiscal year 2019 to 2020
- The emissions for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 totalled 1,054 kilotonnes (kt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) for facilities, which represents a decrease of 576 kt CO2 eq or 35% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- Stationary fuel combustion, primarily used to generate heat at facilities, was the source of a significant amount (63%) of GHG emissions in fiscal year 2019 to 2020, but has decreased by 12% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- Purchased electricity generated a significant amount (30%) of GHG emissions in fiscal year 2019 to 2020, but emissions from electricity use have decreased by 57% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006.
- Reductions in GHG emissions from federal facilities compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 can largely be attributed to:
- a reduction in the GHG intensity of electricity purchased across Canada, which accounted for a reduction of 263 kt CO2 eq
- contracting mechanisms, such as renewable energy certificates, which accounted for an additional reduction of 91 kt CO2 eq
- The reduction in GHG emissions from district heating (37 kt CO2 eq) and cooling (23 kt CO2 eq) was significant, but it had a small impact on emission levels since district heating and cooling represents a smaller share of overall energy use
- The remaining 162 kt reduction in emissions can be attributed to reductions in:
- stationary fuel combustion (95 kt CO2 eq)
- purchased electricity (67 kt CO2 eq)
- Overall, the reduction was achieved through a combination of actions, including:
- the rationalization of the government’s portfolio of buildings
- renovations for energy efficiency
- equipment retrofits for energy efficiency
More information
Stationary fuel combustion generates heating, cooling and electricity at federal facilities. Sources of stationary fuel combustion within facilities often include:
- boilers and furnaces to produce heat
- absorption chillers or gas-driven compression units used for cooling
- generators, turbines or co-generation equipment that produce electricity
- other equipment used in facilities, such as lab equipment and kitchen appliances
These GHG emissions are considered to be “direct” because they are generated at the facility.
Purchased electricity refers to the purchase of conventional, grid-tied electricity. GHG emissions from purchased electricity are considered to be “indirect” because the electricity is generated off-site.
Federal organizations use 2 accounting methods to calculate GHG emissions from purchased electricity:
- The location-based method considers the average GHG intensity of the electricity grids that provide electricity, regardless of any contractual arrangements that an organization has for clean electricity. To quantify indirect emissions using the location-based method, reporting organizations use emission factors that are based on the geographic location of each facility and that correspond to the grid-average emission factor of power-generating facilities that supply power to the grid.
- The market-based method reflects GHG emissions from sources of electricity that reporting organizations have chosen. For example, an organization may establish a contractual arrangement to procure clean electricity from specific sources through the use of clean power purchase agreements or renewable energy certificates. For all remaining electricity use at a facility that is not covered by a contractual arrangement, the appropriate grid-average emission factor based on the location of the facility will apply. Progress toward the federal GHG reduction target will be measured using the market-based methodology.
District energy represents the energy used for heating or cooling that is generated off-site. GHG emissions from district energy are also considered to be indirect because the emissions occur at the facility where heating or cooling is generated.
Visit the Open Government portal for more information on GHG emissions generated by federal facilities.
Fleets
Greenhouse gas emissions generated by federal administrative fleetsFootnote 4
Operating a fleet results in the combustion of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Government of Canada has a large and diverse administrative fleet that includes:
- on-road vehicles and equipment, such as:
- cars
- vans
- trucks
- other vehicles
- off-road vehicles and equipment, such as:
- marine vessels (boats and ships)
- aircraft
- other mobile equipment (for example all-terrain vehicles, lawn mowers and generators)
Figure 3 - Text version
The bar graph shows the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the federal administrative fleet in kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent as a total and by source for fiscal years 2005 to 2006 and 2019 to 2020.
Data for the bar graph
| Source of greenhouse gas | Emissions for fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (kt CO2 eq) |
Emissions for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
Percentage change compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-road vehicles | 108.8 | 70.8 | -35% |
| Marine vessels | 36.2 | 36.2 | 0% |
| Aircraft | 14.7 | 9.7 | -34% |
| Other mobile equipment | 9.4 | 6.6 | -30% |
| Total | 169 | 123 | -27% |
Key results
- The federal administrative fleet generated approximately 10% of combined federal real property and administrative fleet GHG emissions in fiscal year 2019 to 2020
- Over half of the fleet’s GHG emissions (58%) were generated by on-road vehicles, while the balance was generated by marine vessels (29%), aircraft (8%) and other mobile equipment (5%) owned by federal organizations
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, GHG emissions from the federal fleet were down by 27% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006:
- On-road vehicles were the source of most of the fleet’s emission reductions and their emissions decreased by 38 kilotonnes (kt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) or 35% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- GHG emissions from federal marine vessels were unchanged compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- GHG emissions from federal aircraft have decreased by 34% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
- GHG emissions from other mobile equipment have decreased by 30% compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006
More information
Visit the Open Government portal for more information about GHG emissions from federal fleets.
By organization
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions by federal organization
Figure 4 - Text version
The bar graph shows the total greenhouse gas emissions (in kilotonnes of carbon equivalent) reported in fiscal year 2019 to 2020, for facilities and administrative fleet operations by federal organization. The greenhouse gas emissions are separated by facilities or fleet. The percentage change compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 is also shown for each federal organization.
Data for the bar graph
| Federal organization | Emissions from facilities for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
Emissions from fleets for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
Total emissions for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
Percentage change compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Defence | 515.4 | 27.4 | 542.8 | -31% |
| Public Services and Procurement Canada | 116.1 | 0.8 | 116.8 | -58% |
| Correctional Service Canada | 113.0 | 3.1 | 116.1 | -18% |
| Royal Canadian Mounted Police | 78.8 | 2.4 | 81.2 | -28% |
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | 56.5 | 4.2 | 60.7 | -39% |
| Transport Canada | 5.0 | 46.1 | 51.1 | -17% |
| National Research Council Canada | 37.7 | 1.1 | 38.8 | -47% |
| Parks Canada | 24.5 | 14.4 | 38.9 | -3% |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada | 22.3 | 7.2 | 29.5 | -33% |
| Canadian Food Inspection Agency | 17.8 | 3.6 | 21.4 | -35% |
| Natural Resources Canada | 19.2 | 0.8 | 20.0 | -42% |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada | 10.7 | 3.2 | 13.9 | -35% |
| Canada Border Services Agency | 7.2 | 4.3 | 11.5 | -10% |
| Health Canada | 10.9 | 0.4 | 11.3 | -50% |
| Public Health Agency of Canada | 6.9 | 0 | 6.9 | -4% |
| Public Safety Canada | 3.9 | 0 | 3.9 | -45% |
| Library and Archives Canada | 2.6 | 0 | 2.6 | -12% |
| Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada | 2.2 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 29% |
| Indigenous Services Canada | 0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | -10% |
| Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | -50% |
| Canadian Space Agency | 1.2 | 0 | 1.2 | -46% |
| Shared Services CanadaFootnote 5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | N/A |
| Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services | 0.67 | 0 | 0.67 | -73% |
| Employment and Social Development Canada | 0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | -79% |
| Canada Revenue Agency | 0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | -48% |
| National Battlefields Commission | 0.16 | 0 | 0.16 | -18% |
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | 0 | 0.04 | 0.04 | -58% |
| Total | 1,054.0 | 123.0 | 1,177.0 | -34.6% |
Key results
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the top 6 emitting organizations (National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Correctional Service Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Transport Canada) generated 82% of the Government of Canada’s real property and administrative fleet GHG emissions
By region
Greenhouse gas emissions from federal facilities by region
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal operations can primarily be attributed to facilities that are located in regions where federal operations use a lot of energy or where electricity grids rely on fossil fuels.
Figure 5 - Text version
The figure is a map of Canada that shows the regional distribution of greenhouse gas emissions from federal facilities in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.
Data for the figure
| Region | Emissions from stationary combustion (kt CO2 eq) |
Emissions from electricity (kt CO2 eq) |
Emissions from district energy (kt CO2 eq) |
Total from all sources (kt CO2 eq) |
Percentage share of total GHG emissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 205.6 | 26.4 | 55.8 | 287.8 | 27% |
| Nova Scotia | 55.2 | 125.6 | 0.9 | 181.7 | 17% |
| Alberta | 103.7 | 52.8 | 0.0 | 156.5 | 15% |
| Quebec | 102.3 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 104.3 | 10% |
| Saskatchewan | 26.2 | 63.1 | 5.0 | 94.3 | 9% |
| New Brunswick | 27.9 | 29.5 | 0.7 | 58.0 | 6% |
| British Columbia | 48.7 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 53.3 | 5% |
| Manitoba | 33.4 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 34.8 | 3% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 26.3 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 28.9 | 3% |
| Northwest Territories | 20.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 21.7 | 2% |
| Nunavut | 13.1 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 19.1 | 2% |
| Prince Edward Island | 3.2 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 9.8 | 1% |
| Yukon | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 3.1 | 0.3% |
| Total | 669.0 | 318.0 | 68.0 | 1,054.0 | 100% |
Key results
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, operations in the top 6 regions (Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick) generated 80% of the Government of Canada’s real property and administrative fleet GHG emissions
- A significant amount of GHG emissions generated by purchased electricity comes from electricity use in regions that have high-carbon electricity grids, including Nova Scotia (40%), Saskatchewan (20%), Alberta (17%) and New Brunswick (9%)
- Breakdown of GHG emissions from natural gas used in federal facilities:
- 36% in Ontario
- 19% in Alberta
- 18% in Quebec
- 8% in British Columbia
- 44% of GHG emissions from light fuel oil came from operations in Nova Scotia, and an additional 39% of GHG emissions from light fuel oil were generated in the other Atlantic provinces and Quebec
- 77% of GHG emissions from district energy came from plants located in the National Capital Region
Security
Greenhouse gas emissions from national safety and security operations
National safety and security operations include activities such as law enforcement by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, search and rescue by the Canadian Coast Guard, and the operation of military vehicles and equipment by the Department of National Defence. These emissions are included in the Government of Canada’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050Footnote 1.
Figure 6 - Text version
The bar graph shows the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the national safety and security fleet in kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent as a total and by fleet type for fiscal years 2005 to 2006 and 2019 to 2020.
Data for the bar graph
| Source of greenhouse gas emissions |
Emissions for fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (kt CO2 eq) |
Emissions for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
Percentage change compared with fiscal year 2005 to 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | 477.8 | 592.0 | 24% |
| Marine | 303.6 | 278.0 | -9% |
| Land vehicles | 65.3 | 80.9 | 24% |
| Total | 847.0 | 951.0 | 12% |
Key results
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the federal national safety and security fleet emitted 951 kilotonnes (kt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq)
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the Department of National Defence national safety and security fleet emitted 706 kt CO2 eq:
- 82% of the emissions came from aircraft
- 17% came from marine vessels
- 1% came from other land vehicles
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the Canadian Coast Guard national safety and security fleet emitted 161 kt CO2 eq:
- 96% of the emissions came from marine vessels
- 4% came from aircraft
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police national safety and security fleet emitted 84 kt CO2 eq:
- 89% of the emissions came from on-road vehicles
- 9% came from aircraft
- 2% came from marine vessels
More information
By 2023, NSS fleet departments will develop and regularly update Operational Fleet Decarbonization Plans that outline how they will reduce their emissions from operations in line with the overall 2050 target.
In addition, NSS departments will adopt best practices to improve efficiency and reduce emissions and environmental impacts in the areas of:
- fuel procurement, including low-carbon fuels
- fleet procurement, including purchasing energy -efficient platforms
- operational efficiency and net-zero research and innovation
The Government of Canada is also taking action to reduce GHG emissions from operations related to national safety and security by conducting the Sky’s the Limit Challenge, a nationwide challenge to develop the cleanest, most affordable and most sustainable aviation fuel for the aviation sector
Air Travel
Greenhouse gas emissions from public service employee work-related air travel
Through the Greening Government Strategy, the Government of Canada made a commitment to track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from air travel by public service employees starting in fiscal year 2018-19. These emissions are included in the federal GHG inventory and, the federal GHG reduction target.
We are also promoting lower-carbon alternatives to work-related air travel, including the use of teleconference technology or substituting air travel with other forms of travel such as rail, where feasible.
As a way to further incent departments to adopt lower-carbon alternatives to work-related travel the Greening Government Fund was established through Treasury Board Secretariat in 2018. Federal departments and agencies that generate GHG emissions in excess of 1 kilotonne per year from air travel contribute $25 per tonne annually (which will rise to $50 per tonne annually starting in 2022) to the Greening Government Fund. The fund supports projects that allow departments to explore innovative approaches to reducing GHG emissions.
Figure 7 - Text version
The bar graph shows the total greenhouse gas emissions (in kilotonnes of carbon equivalent) for employee work-related air travel reported in fiscal year 2019 to 2020, by the top 9 emitting federal organizations. The remainder are grouped as "other".
Data for the bar graph
| Federal Organization | Emissions for work-related air travel for fiscal year 2019 to 2020 (kt CO2 eq) |
|---|---|
| National Defense | 89.0 |
| Global Affairs Canada | 20.5 |
| Royal Canadian Mounted Police | 16.0 |
| Canada Border Services Agency | 13.1 |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada | 10.5 |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada | 6.3 |
| Transport Canada | 6.0 |
| Canada Revenue Agency | 5.4 |
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | 4.9 |
| National Research Council Canada | 4.5 |
| Employment and Social Development Canada | 4.1 |
| Natural Resources Canada | 4.0 |
| Indigenous Services Canada | 3.5 |
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | 3.0 |
| Public Services and Procurement Canada | 3.0 |
| Health Canada | 2.9 |
| Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada | 2.8 |
| Correctional Service Canada | 2.6 |
| Parks Canada | 2.6 |
| Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | 2.3 |
| Veteran Affairs Canada | 2.2 |
| Canadian Food Inspection Agency | 2.0 |
| Public Health Agency of Canada | 1.9 |
| Justice Canada | 1.8 |
| Canadian Space Agency | 0.9 |
| Finance Canada | 0.9 |
| Canadian Heritage | 0.8 |
| Public Safety Canada | 0.8 |
| Shared Services Canada | 0.8 |
| Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat | 0.5 |
| Library and Archives Canada | 0.3 |
| Total | 219.8 |
Key results
- In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, emissions decreased by 13% since 2018-19.
- the top 10 emitting organizations (National Defence, Global Affairs Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Transport Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and National Research Council Canada) generated 80% of GHG emissions attributable to employee work-related air travel
Methodology
Methodology used to account for greenhouse gas emissions
The methodology selected for quantifying greenhouse (GHG) emissions from federal operations is meant to:
- reasonably minimize uncertainty
- yield accurate and consistent results
- be technically feasible and cost-effective
Federal organizations follow the Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Guidance, which provides direction on calculating and reporting GHG emissions in accordance with the Greening Government Strategy. The methodology is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, developed by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is an internationally accepted standard for GHG accounting at the organizational level.
Over time, additional sources of GHG may be added and adjustments to methodologies may be made in order to improve the federal government’s accounting for and reporting of GHG emissions from federal operations.
Emission factors
- GHG emissions are determined using activity data (for example, energy data) in conjunction with an appropriate emission factor
- Emission factors are calculated ratios that relate GHG emissions to a measure of activity at a specific emissions source
- Emission factors are usually expressed in terms of GHG emissions per unit of fuel or energy
- Emission factors used to calculated GHG emissions from federal operations are sourced from the national inventory report: greenhouse gas sources and sinks in Canada, published by Environment and Climate Change Canada
Global warming potentials
- GHGs are converted into units of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) by multiplying the emissions of each gas by its global warming potential
- Global warming potential is a factor that describes the degree of warming that results from one unit of a given GHG relative to one unit of CO2
- The global warming potential of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are 28 and 265 respectively, based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Fifth Assessment Report, 2014
Additional notes
- Some year-to-year changes in GHG emissions may be due to data collection gaps, methodology or error correction refinements, while others may be the result of one-time or specific events or actions (such as natural disasters or operational disruptions)
- Variations in seasonal weather conditions (for example, the effect of heating or cooling days on building energy use) also influence annual GHG emissions
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