Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

Taking action on climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants and building resilience directly supports SDG Global Indicator Framework targets:

• 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
• 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
• 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

The effects of human-caused climate change are being felt across our country. Canadians are seeing more extreme temperatures and precipitation as well as more frequent and severe wildfires, heatwaves, droughts and flooding. Canada is warming at two times the global rate, and this rate is even greater in the Canadian Arctic. Meanwhile, rising sea levels, along with less-visible effects such as increased acidity and reduced levels of oxygen in the oceans, are damaging ecosystems and industries such as fisheries.

Climate change is one of the top drivers of global biodiversity loss, which further threatens ecosystems and the beneficial services they provide to society. It affects the health of Canadians, especially the most at-risk populations such as youth, seniors, Indigenous populations, those with chronic health conditions, and marginalized low-income, and racialized communities. It also puts increased strain on the country's health systems during extreme weather events. Climate change has also been linked to the increased spread of invasive species and intensity of zoonotic (animal-borne) and vector-borne (mosquitos, tick or flea-borne) diseases.

While Indigenous communities account for less than 1 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year across the country, or less than 1% of Canada's total emissions, Indigenous Peoples face disproportionate impacts from climate change due to cultural, socioeconomic, historical and geographical factors. Impacts such as wildfires, permafrost thaw, changing wildlife patterns, diminishing access to traditional food sources, and flooding can exacerbate existing socioeconomic challenges and systemic barriers created by the legacy of colonization, core infrastructure deficits, lack of adequate housing, and other challenges and health stressors facing Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

At the same time, Indigenous Peoples' leadership is key to Canada achieving its climate objectives. Indigenous Peoples' contributions to climate efforts far exceed the emissions directly attributed to their communities. The territorial stewardship of more than 680 communities, the exercise of constitutionally protected Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, and the participation in co-management regimes for natural resources and major infrastructure projects all position Indigenous Peoples as indispensable and influential contributors to climate policy. Targeted efforts to address climate change play an integral part in addressing these inequities and advancing reconciliation

Effective and urgent action on climate change requires transitioning to a net-zero economy by reducing greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions while continuing to grow prosperity, and by realizing opportunities in emerging markets such as renewable energy and clean technology. At the same time, Canada needs to adapt to the changing climate by building resilience and reducing vulnerability to impacts in communities, regions, ecosystems, and economic sectors. Action taken today can reduce costs and overall impacts on health and well-being. Nature-based climate solutions can also help to mitigate and adapt to climate change while providing benefits for biodiversity, nature conservation and human health. For example, land management decisions related to agricultural lands, wetlands, settlements, and managed forests can help mitigate climate change by creating carbon sinks or decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from the land.

Increasing efforts to mitigate further emissions of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants, and adapting to changes in the climate, contribute to sustainable development and help to ensure that future generations will be able to provide for their needs.

The Paris Agreement goal of holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius guides Canada's actions to address climate change at home and abroad. To achieve this long-term goal, the Paris Agreement requires countries to increase their ambition every 5 years. This is why, in July 2021, Canada announced an enhanced target committing Canada to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.

This emissions reduction target is enshrined in Canadian law under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which received Royal Assent in June 2021. This Actestablishes the 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target (40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030) as Canada's Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to set the subsequent 2035, 2040 and 2045 targets at least 10 years in advance. It also requires a series of plans and reports to support accountability and transparency and help ensure Canada meets its milestones on the way to achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2050. The Act also ensures that the public will have opportunities to participate in target setting and planning.

Canada's efforts to take coordinated, national climate action predate the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. In 2016, the Government of Canada introduced its first-ever national climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) that was developed with provinces and territories, and in consultation with Indigenous Peoples. It was an important first step for Canada to achieve its Paris Agreement target, and included a pan-Canadian approach to pricing carbon pollution along with measures to achieve emissions reductions across all sectors of the economy, such as the Low Carbon Economy Fund. The aim of the PCF was to drive innovation and growth by increasing technology development and adoption to ensure Canadian businesses are competitive in the global low-carbon economy. It also included actions to advance climate change adaptation and build resilience to climate impacts, such as enhancing access to climate information and support through the Canadian Centre for Climate Services.

In December 2020, the Government of Canada introduced A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy - Canada's strengthened climate plan. The plan builds on the efforts that are currently underway through the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change to cut more pollution, to create more good jobs, and to support a healthier economy and environment. It does this through five pillars: cutting energy waste from homes and buildings; providing clean, affordable transportation and power; pricing carbon pollution; building a clean industrial advantage; and embracing nature-based solutions to support healthier and resilient communities. Enhancing local and regional capacity and solutions to prepare for climate extremes and changes is key. Complementary to this plan, the importance of a strong foundation of knowledge to inform action was outlined in the Climate Science 2050: Advancing Science and Knowledge on Climate Change Report, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

As part of Canada's strengthened climate plan, the Government of Canada committed to developing Canada's first National Adaptation Strategy by working with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous Peoples, and other key partners. The National Adaptation Strategy will build upon the Pan-Canadian Framework and adaptation strategies led by provinces, territories, local governments, Indigenous Peoples and others, to unite actors across Canada through shared priorities, cohesive action, and a whole-of-Canada approach to a more climate resilient Canada. The strategy will establish a shared vision for climate resilience in Canada, identify goals and objectives, and establish a framework for measuring progress. The strategy is expected to be released in fall 2022.

Building on the foundation set by the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and Canada's strengthened climate plan, the Government of Canada published Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) in March 2022, providing a roadmap for Canada to achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution of 40-45% greenhouse gas emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2030. Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan is the first greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan established under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act and is a key milestone on the pathway to net-zero by 2050.

The 2030 ERP describes many actions that are already driving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, as well as the new measures to reach Canada's emissions reduction target. It includes $9.1 billion in new investments and includes economy-wide measures such as carbon pollution pricing, greenhouse gas emission offset credit system and Clean Fuels Regulations, while also targeting actions by sector, ranging from buildings to transportation, and from waste to industry and agriculture. These actions include reducing energy costs for homes and buildings; empowering communities to take climate action; making it easier to switch to electric vehicles; driving down carbon pollution from the oil and gas sector; increasing the supply of renewable electricity; helping industries to develop and adopt clean technologies; investing in natural climate solutions; supporting a sustainable future for farmers, and maintaining Canada's approach to pricing pollution. The ERP also expands the Low Carbon Economy Fund that was initially established under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on the impact of Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius concludes that all pathways that limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius require deep cuts in black carbon, methane and other short-lived climate pollutants, alongside action on carbon dioxide. In order to achieve this, as well as the benefits of improved air quality that arises from such action, Canada has been implementing the Strategy on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, which is complementary to action on carbon dioxide. In 2021, Canada also joined the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce global anthropogenic methane emissions across all sectors by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. In support of the Pledge, Canada committed to developing a plan to reduce methane emissions across the broader Canadian economy and to reducing oil and gas methane emissions by at least 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2030.

Canada is now positioned to achieve its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement and has the building blocks in place to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

In 2019, federal, provincial, and territorial governments endorsed the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Toward a Resilient 2030. This strategy helps fulfill the Government of Canada's commitment under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction for a pan-Canadian disaster risk reduction strategy. Its purpose is to build resilience in Canada by guiding governments, and their respective partners, in carrying out priorities aimed at strengthening Canada's ability to assess risks and to prevent/mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

In 2021, the Government of Canada launched the Program of Applied Research on Climate Action (PARCA), a cross-departmental multi-year research initiative on climate change. PARCA combines behavioural science insights and methods with robust policy analysis to promote climate action by Canadians, recognizing the relationship between individual behaviours and system-level change. PARCA demonstrates a commitment by the Government to use evidence from Canadians gathered in close to real time to inform policy, program and engagement efforts. For more information on PARCA, see Goal 4.

Targets, indicators, milestones and contextual indicators

Theme:  Climate change mitigation and adaptation 

Target: Greenhouse gas emissions ⁽¹⁾

Achieve 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change supported by all other Ministers)

Short-term milestone: Establish a 2030 plan to reduce methane emissions⁽¹⁾

By the end of March 2023, establish Canada's methane reductions plan to reduce methane emissions across the economy. This is consistent with the Global Methane Pledge and aligned with Canada's methane reduction commitments of 75% reduction in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 2030.

Short-term milestone: Ensure a strengthened price on carbon pollution is in place in Canada⁽¹⁾

By the end of 2023, the price of carbon pollution in all 13 provinces and territories will continue to meet the minimum national stringency criteria (federal benchmark), and are on track to meet the pricing trajectory of $170 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2030.

Short-term milestone: Implement the Clean Fuel Regulations ⁽¹⁾

By the end of 2023, implement the Clean Fuel Regulations to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel by approximately 15% by 2030.

Short-term milestone: Phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies ⁽¹⁾

Eliminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2023, accelerating Canada's G20 commitment to complete this work by the end of 2025.

Short-term milestone: Reach the interim greenhouse gas emissions reduction objective ⁽¹⁾

By the end of 2026, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions will be 20% below 2005 levels.

Short-term milestone: Release a National Adaptation Strategy for Canada ⁽¹⁾

By the end of 2022, release the first national strategy on climate change adaptation, setting clear goals and indicators to measure progress and strengthen the business case for adaptation.

Short-term milestone: Increase Canadians' awareness of disaster risks ⁽¹⁾

By March 2023, 60% of Canadians are aware of disaster risks facing their household. This will be done through various means, including the publication of biennial reports through the National Risk Profile.

Short-term milestone: Take steps to adapt to climate change ⁽¹⁾

By March 2023, at least 60% of communities and at least 40% of businesses have taken steps to adapt to climate change.

Short-term milestone: Reduce black carbon emissions ⁽¹⁾

By the end of 2025, achieve a 25% reduction in national black carbon emissions compared to 2013 levels.

Short-term milestone: Implement evidence-based measures to protect health from extreme heat in health regions ⁽¹⁾

By the end of 2026, 80% of health regions will have implemented evidence-based adaptation measures to protect health from extreme heat.

Theme:  Federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience

Target: Net-zero carbon operations ⁽²⁾

The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (All Ministers)

Target: National safety and security fleet operations ⁽²⁾

The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon national safety and security fleet operations by 2050 (Ministers with national safety and security fleets)

Target: Climate resilient operations ⁽²⁾

The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (All Ministers)

Short-term milestone: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in federal real property and conventional fleet⁽²⁾

By 2025, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from real property and conventional fleet by 40% from 2005 to 2006 levels. The conventional fleet does not include national safety and security vehicles.

Short-term milestone: Develop national safety and security operational fleet decarbonization plans ⁽²⁾

By 2023, national safety and security fleet departments will develop operational fleet decarbonization plans that outline how they will reduce their emissions from operations in line with the overall 2050 target.

Short-term milestone: Identify and incorporate awareness of climate-change-related risks into federal planning ⁽²⁾

From 2022, and at regular intervals (not to exceed 10 years) thereafter, all federal departments continue to assess climate related risks and take action to reduce those risks that are most significant. For example, the risks and potential risk reduction strategies are integrated into business continuity or departmental risk planning processes, or equivalent.

Short-term milestone: Develop a zero-carbon, climate-resilient office leasing federal portfolio plan ⁽²⁾

By the end of 2023, Public Services and Procurement Canada will develop a zero-carbon, climate-resilient office leasing portfolio plan.

Contextual indicator: Extreme heat ⁽ⁱ⁾

This indicator describes trends in multi-day extreme heat events across Canada. This indicator will provide information on the number of periods of more than three consecutive days of maximum temperatures at or above a determined temperature by region. The objective is to have this indicator released by end of fiscal year 2022-23 or early 2023-24.

Contextual indicator: Greenhouse gas concentrations ⁽ⁱ⁾

This indicator shows the trends in concentrations for carbon dioxide and methane. Concentrations are presented on monthly and annual bases for Canada. It also includes global annual average concentrations of these greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide

• Globally, annual average carbon dioxide concentrations increased by 22%, from 338.9 parts per million (ppm) to 412.4 ppm between 1980 to 2020
• In 2020, the average concentration of carbon dioxide in Canada was 415.0 ppm, up from 412.3 ppm in 2019

Methane

• Globally, annual average methane concentrations increased by 13%, from 1,670 parts per billion (ppb) to 1,879 ppb between 1986 to 2020
• In 2020, the average concentration of methane in Canada was 1,965 ppb, up from 1,952 ppb in 2019 in Canada

Contextual indicator: Proportion of municipal organizations who factored climate change adaptation into decision-making processes ⁽ⁱ⁾

This indicator tracks the count of municipal organizations that factored climate change adaptation into decision-making processes, by core infrastructure assets, urban and rural, and population size. In 2018, 2,010 municipalities factored climate change adaptation into their decision-making processes (52% of municipalities). The proportion of municipalities that had factored climate change adaptation into their organization's decision-making process ranged from 28% for public transit infrastructure to 50% for stormwater infrastructure.

Contextual indicator: Sea ice in Canada ⁽ⁱ⁾

This indicator provides information on the area of sea in Canada covered by ice during the summer season. It also presents trends in total sea ice area and multi-year sea ice area.

• Between 1968 and 2020, summer sea ice area in the Northern Canadian Waters declined at a rate of 7.5% per decade.
• The multi-year sea ice area has declined by 8.3% per decade over the period from 1968 to 2020

Contextual indicator: Snow cover ⁽ⁱ⁾

This indicator reports spring snow cover extent and annual snow cover duration. Snow cover extent is presented for the spring months of April, May and June.

• Since the early 1970s, snow cover extent has decreased significantly in Canada during the months of May and June.
• The number of days with snow for the year 2019 were above average for most of Eastern Canada, the Prairies and Nunavut; however, a substantial part of Yukon and smaller areas of the Northwest Territories and along the Pacific coast experienced below-average snow cover duration.

Contextual indicator: Temperature change in Canada ⁽ⁱ⁾

This indicator shows the yearly and seasonal surface air temperature departures from the year 1948.

• In Canada, the national average temperature for the year 2020 was 1.1 degree Celsius (°C) above the 1961 to 1990 reference value.
• From 1948 to 2021, there is a trend in annual average temperature departures, showing 1.9°C of warming over that period.
• Annual average temperatures were consistently above or equal to the reference value from 1997 onward.

Implementation strategies and departmental actions

Theme:  Climate change mitigation and adaptation 

Implementation strategy: Continue to implement Canada's climate plans and actions ⁽¹⁾

Continue to implement Canada's climate actions and measures identified through the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan that was released in 2022, the Strengthened Climate Plan from 2020, and the 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

Implementation strategy: Implement the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act ⁽¹⁾

Implement the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which enshrines in legislation Canada's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050, and provides a framework of accountability and transparency to deliver on it. The Act also establishes the 2030 emissions reduction target as Canada's Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement emissions reductions of 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Implementation strategy: Collaborate on emergency management and disaster risk reduction ⁽¹⁾

Continue to collaborate on emergency management and disaster risk reduction at the national and international levels by preparing for, and responding to, emergencies and disasters, strategizing cost-effective resilience measures, conducting research and analysis, providing warnings, data, and information, and aiding in recovery efforts.

Implementation strategy: Strengthen Indigenous leadership on climate action ⁽¹⁾

Co-develop an Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda that will set the direction and plan to support self-determined action in addressing Indigenous Peoples' climate priorities, including Indigenous Peoples' strengthened and meaningful participation in climate governance and policy, transition to Indigenous-delivered climate programming, and phased implementation of distinctions-based climate strategies.

Implementation strategy: Support climate change adaptation across Canada ⁽¹⁾

Take action to support adaptation to climate change impacts.

Theme:  Federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience

Implementation strategy: Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits ⁽²⁾

All major building retrofits, including significant energy performance contracts, require a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis to determine the optimal greenhouse gas savings. The life-cycle cost approach will use a period of 40 years and a carbon shadow price of $300 per tonne.

Implementation strategy: Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government's overall operations ⁽²⁾

Departments may report on these and other Greening Government Strategy commitments via their departmental sustainable development strategies.

Implementation strategy: Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings ⁽²⁾

All new federal buildings (including build-to-lease and public-private partnerships) will be net-zero carbon unless a life-cycle cost-benefit analysis indicates net-zero-carbon-ready construction.

Implementation strategy: Improve environmental performance of national safety and security fleets ⁽²⁾

National safety and security departments will adopt best practices to reduce emissions and environmental impacts using clean technologies, low carbon fuels and improved operational efficiency.

Implementation strategy: Reduce risks posed by climate change impacts to federal assets, services and operations ⁽²⁾

Departments and agencies are required to assess risks posed by the impacts of climate change to federal assets, services and operations on a regular basis and ensure that actions to reduce these risks are implemented.

Responsibilities and contributions of federal organizations

¹Target theme: Climate change mitigation and adaptation

FSDS component	Title	Supports Goal and/or Target	Responsible organization(s)
Target	Achieve 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050	Supports the goal	Minister of Environment and Climate Change - Supported by whole-of-government implementation
Milestone	Establish a 2030 plan to reduce methane emissions	Supports the goal and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Milestone	Ensure a strengthened price on carbon pollution is in place in Canada	Supports the goal and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Milestone	Implement the Clean Fuel Regulations	Supports the goal and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Milestone	Phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies	Supports the goal and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Milestone	Reach the interim greenhouse gas emissions reduction objective	Supports the goal and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Milestone	Release a national adaptation strategy for Canada	Supports the goal	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Milestone	Increase awareness of Canadians of disaster risks	Supports the goal	Public Safety Canada
Milestone	Take steps to adapt to climate change	Supports the goal	Natural Resources Canada
Milestone	Reduce black carbon emissions	Supports the goal	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Milestone	Implement evidence-based measures to protect health from extreme heat in health regions	Supports the goal	Health Canada
Implementation Strategy	Continue to implement Canada’s climate plans and actions	Supports the goal and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target	Environment and Climate Change Canada alongside other federal organizations
Implementation Strategy	Implement the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act	Supports the goal and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Implementation Strategy	Collaborate on emergency management and disaster risk reduction	Supports the goal	Canada Border Services Agency Health Canada Indigenous Services Canada Infrastructure Canada Natural Resources Canada Public Safety Canada
Implementation Strategy	Strengthen Indigenous leadership on climate action	Supports the goal	Environment and Climate Change Canada Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Implementation Strategy	Support climate change adaptation across Canada	Supports the goal	Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada

²Target theme: Federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience

FSDS component	Title	Supports Goal and/or Target	Responsible organization(s)
Target	The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050	Supports the goal	All Ministers
Target	The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon national safety and security fleet operations by 2050	Supports the goal	Ministers with national safety and security fleets
Target	The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050	Supports the goal	All Ministers
Milestone	Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in federal real property and conventional fleet	Supports the goal and the Net-Zero Carbon Operations Target	All federal organizations owning real property and conventional fleets, as reported to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Milestone	Develop national safety and security operational fleet decarbonization plans	Supports the goal and the National Safety and Security Fleet Operations Target	Fisheries and Oceans Canada National Defence Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Milestone	Identify and incorporate awareness of climate-change-related risks into federal planning	Supports the goal and the Climate Resilient Operations Target	All federal organizations, as reported to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Milestone	Develop a zero-carbon, climate-resilient office leasing federal portfolio plan	Supports the goal and the Climate Resilient Operations Target	Public Services and Procurement Canada
Implementation strategy	Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits	Supports the goal and the Net-Zero Carbon Operations Target	All federal organizations owning real property
Implementation strategy	Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations	Supports the goal and the Net-Zero Carbon Operations Target	All federal organizations
Implementation strategy	Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings	Supports the goal and the Net-Zero Carbon Operations Target	All federal organizations owning real property
Implementation strategy	Improve environmental performance of national safety and security fleets	Supports the goal and the National Safety and Security Fleet Operations Target	National Defence Fisheries and Oceans Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Implementation strategy	Reduce risks posed by climate change impacts to federal assets, services and operations	Supports the goal and the Climate Resilient Operations Target	All federal organizations owning real property

Performance measurement

*Indicators that have also been included in the Canadian Indicator Framework.

For more detailed information see Strengthening transparency and accountability.