Canada’s early emissions numbers are a win for accountability and show progress

The early release of Canada’s latest greenhouse gas numbers for 2023 is a big win for public accountability in climate policy.

OTTAWA— Dave Sawyer, Principal Economist at the Canadian Climate Institute, made the following statement in response to the federal government’s early release of Canada’s official greenhouse gas inventory for 2023: 

“The early release of Canada’s latest greenhouse gas numbers for 2023 is a big win for public accountability in climate policy and shows important progress being made cutting emissions and building a cleaner economy. It gives policymakers and the public an earlier look at how national emissions are trending and provides an opportunity to accelerate policy action if needed. 

“The official numbers for 2023 align closely with our own Early Estimate of National Emissions for 2023 released this September, which showed modest progress reducing national emissions, but uneven results across sectors. Our team at the Canadian Climate Institute has published early estimates of emissions that have aligned with Canada’s official emissions numbers now for each of the past three reporting years. 

“The government’s official 2023 early numbers show emissions dropped slightly in 2023 by about one per cent from the previous year (0.9 per cent) and now sit nearly 9 per cent below 2005 levels, the baseline year for Canada’s official emissions targets. 

“Our research has shown climate policy is working to cut carbon pollution—Canada’s emissions would be higher today without the actions taken to date by all levels of government since 2015. Existing climate policies are expected to prevent 226 Mt of carbon emissions by 2030, equivalent to the current emissions profiles of Quebec and Ontario combined. 

“Governments across the country can build on this progress by following through and finalizing policies that they are developing or have announced to deliver even deeper emissions cuts by 2030.” 

RESOURCES

News release | Experts estimate modest drop in 2023 emissions, with big differences across sectors

Database | Early Estimate of National Emissions 2023

Fact sheet | Early Estimate of National Emissions 2023

440 Megatonnes Insight | 2023 emissions estimate shows modest decline, but oil and gas emissions undermine progress

Report| Independent Assessment of Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan

CONTACT 

Krystal Northey 
Public Affairs Lead
Canadian Climate Institute
250-818-3748
knorthey@climateinstitute.ca

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