QUESTION PERIOD — Environment and Climate Change
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan
November 3, 2022
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, last week, the United Nations Environment Programme released its Emissions Gap Report for 2022. This report highlights inadequate action by a number of countries on the global climate crisis. The report shows that, given its existing policies, Canada is not projected to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC, to the Paris Agreement — the national target of 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030.
This serious gap was identified by independent studies. Analysis by Climate Action Network Canada and Ecojustice Canada supports that conclusion. With COP 27 just around the corner, Senator Gold, could you tell us how and when the government plans to strengthen its climate plan in order to get us on track to meet those crucial 2030 targets?
Thank you for your question. The government is responding to the real climate crisis with an ambitious plan to stimulate a clean economy and create sustainable jobs. Indeed, it is an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach our goals for 2030. The steps that are being put into place, that will evolve over time and start to bear more fruit are serious ones.
The plan itself is a product of broad consultation. Input was received from over 30,000 Canadians. It was widely received from the various sectors that were consulted.
The government remains committed to fighting climate change. It remains committed to evaluating the progress that it is making and remains confident that its plan can and will meet its targets.
Thank you, Senator Gold. I do hope, though, that gap will be closed. It’s good that we have good things happening, but there is a gap and so we need to find a way to close it.
Senator Gold, speaking of meeting those targets, last week, the International Energy Agency released its World Energy Outlook 2022. The report suggests that Canada should explore ways to enhance the federal government’s role in strengthening its interprovincial connectivity and accelerating key projects of grid modernization and electrification.
We recently heard Senator Mockler speak about the proposed Atlantic Loop, referring to it as a nation-building project. The report also suggests that the federal government should increase funding to support the acceleration of research, development and innovation of clean energy technologies to achieve the 2050 targets.
My question for you, Senator Gold, is: Will these recommendations regarding grid modernization; interprovincial connectivity, including the Atlantic Loop; and research, development and innovation of clean energy technologies be responded to with the forthcoming clean electricity standard and perhaps today’s mid-year budget update? Do we have any more clarity on when the clean electricity standard will be announced?
Thank you for your question. The government is, as I said, taking action to meet not only our 2030 targets, but also to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, senators, you will know, I assume, that our electricity grid is over 80% non-emitting, and the clean electricity standard will allow Canada to decarbonize other parts of the economy like transportation and the heating of buildings.
The clean electricity standard will result in good and better jobs, cleaner air, existing electricity generation facilities transitioning to non-emitting sources and will ensure that any new power generation built in Canada is clean. The government remains committed to these goals.
On the clean electricity standard itself, to your question, I’m advised that implementation should start in 2024-25.
