Why Global Citizens Should Care
Greenhouse gas emissions are the biggest driver of global climate change, and climate change will drive displacement and worsen poverty around the world. Join the movement and take action on these issues and more here.

Canada is on track to miss its 2030 emissions reductions target set under the Paris climate agreement, according to a new government report.

The country planned to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 511 million metric tonnes per year by 2030, a 30% reduction compared to 2005 levels.

Yet, according to the new report, if the Canadian government continues its current rate of emissions reductions with no new climate action, the country will still produce 673 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2030.

This would actually be an improvement over last year’s projections, in which it was estimated that Canada would produce anadditional 28 million more metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2030.

Some of the initiatives being taken under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change include putting a price on carbon pollution, financing emission reduction projects in provinces and territories, as well as regulations on heavy-duty vehicles and the oil and gas industry.

Canada’s climate commitments are “insufficient” if the country wants to play a role in keeping global temperature levels from increasing more than 2 degrees Celsius, according to the Climate Action Tracker. The United Nations has previously reported that even an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius will have disastrous consequences.

Canada is far from the only country not pulling its weight on emissions reductions. According to a report from PBS, of the top 10 emitters of carbon dioxide, only one country, India, is actually on pace to meet the targets necessary for keeping global temperature increases below 2 degrees Celsius.

Total global greenhouse gas emissions were projected to hit yet another high last year.

Although the main drivers of climate change are wealthy, developed countries like Canada and the United States, the effects of climate change appear likely to disproportionately impact the world’s poorest citizens and hamper efforts to end global poverty.

News

Defend the Planet

Canada Isn't Even Close to Reaching Its Emissions Goals

By Brandon Wiggins