Forestry, agriculture and waste

The forestry, agricultural and waste sectors can help to increase carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Canada’s forests, wetlands, and croplands have great potential to absorb and store carbon dioxide. We also need to send far less garbage to landfills and re-think what we do with waste.

The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change will drive emissions reductions and clean growth by increasing the amount of carbon that is stored in our forests, wetlands, and soils; updating our building codes to promote sustainably grown and harvested wood; using waste products from forestry, agriculture and landfills to create sustainable energy sources, and collaborating with Canadian companies, academics, and other stakeholders to develop new technologies to reduce emissions.

Learn more about forestry, agriculture and waste

What success will look like

Édouard and Lorraine

Édouard and Lorraine and their two children live in Nova Scotia. By embracing new waste prevention, recycling, and composting programs in their community, they will send less waste to their local landfill. When they do send waste to the landfill, the gases will be captured and re-used to generate energy for local homes, businesses and vehicles.

Key facts and figures

  • Emissions from agriculture and forestry accounted for about 10% of Canada’s GHG emissions in 2014.
  • Large wooded areas can help absorb carbon emissions. They act like reservoirs called carbon sinks, sequestering the greenhouse gas over the long term.
  • About 3% of Canada’s GHG emissions come from waste, primarily from the country’s landfills and incineration sites. These emissions are projected to decline, largely due to increases in landfill gas capture.

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