OTTAWA—Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate Institute, made the following statement in response to the release of the 2025 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan:
“Today’s release of the 2025 federal government progress report on its climate plan—called the Emissions Reduction Plan—confirms the country is significantly off track to meeting its emissions targets and the federal government needs to renew policy action over the next six months to course correct.
“The report shows current policies will not deliver the results necessary to achieve the country’s 2030 or 2035 climate targets, as the Canadian Climate Institute had previously calculated. While it shows emissions are falling under current and additional measures, these actions are only projected to reduce emissions by 28 per cent below 2005 numbers.
“Canada has good policy tools to cut emissions while staying competitive and increasing certainty for businesses. The federal government has committed to strengthening industrial carbon pricing, building out more clean electricity, increasing electric vehicle adoption, and reducing methane emissions, but many important details remain to be settled. In the coming months, the federal government should follow up on the Canada-Alberta MOU with final plans for strengthening industrial carbon pricing, and rigorous equivalency agreements on methane and clean electricity.
“Emissions fall when governments put smart climate policy in place. Today’s report shows the most significant source of risk and uncertainty comes from the oil and gas sector and whether clean electricity and industrial policy can expand fast enough to support investment and electrification.
“In addition, the government’s lack of support for consumer incentives that support adoption of clean, electric technologies has slowed uptake. Affordability drives adoption—these same technologies lower energy bills and improve comfort. Federal and provincial governments should not be stepping away from affordability measures. They should reintroduce or top-up programs that help Canadians acquire clean technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps, and maintain the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard.
“The report makes important improvements on transparency and tracking progress, making it easier for Canadians to understand the progress being made across the country. It also introduces a series of indicators that can show a broader picture of climate progress.
“Recognizing that Canada’s 2030 target is out of reach is no reason to give up, it’s a sign it’s time to reboot Canada’s climate approach. In an era of global uncertainty, shifting trade relationships, and an accelerating energy transition, Canada needs an up-to-date, evidence-based climate plan that both aligns with our legislated net zero commitments and contributes to a more secure and affordable future.
“Climate change is already making life across Canada less affordable and hurting companies’ bottom lines, causing more extreme and unpredictable weather that’s disrupting supply chains and driving up costs for materials, insurance, and repairs. That’s why committing to evidence-based climate goals and taking practical, cost-effective steps to achieve them are essential to building a stronger, more competitive Canadian economy.”
Note: The Canadian Climate Institute will release its independent assessment of the 2025 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan early in the new year, including independent analysis of emissions-reduction progress to date, priorities for improvement, and policy recommendations to strengthen Canada’s future climate progress.
RESOURCES
- Commentary | How to get Canada’s climate plan back on track
- Insight | Canada’s emissions flatlined in 2024, early estimate shows
- Insight | The biggest emission cuts come from policy that’s shared between federal and provincial governments
- Blog | One simple fix for Canada’s industrial carbon pricing systems
- Fact Sheet | Industrial carbon pricing in Canada
- Tracker | Costs of climate change
- Report |2023 ERP Independent Assessment
CONTACT
Krystal Northey (Mountain Time)
Lead, Public Affairs
Canadian Climate Institute
(226) 212-9883
About the Canadian Climate Institute
The Canadian Climate Institute is Canada’s leading climate change policy research organization. The Institute produces rigorous analysis, economic modelling, and in-depth research focused on incentivizing clean economic growth and low-carbon competitiveness, reducing emissions and accelerating Canada’s net zero energy transition, and making our economy and infrastructure more resilient to a warming climate.
