Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

The transition to a cleaner, prosperous economy needs to be both an immediate priority and a sustained effort over the years and decades ahead. The only way to meet this long-term goal is for Canada to keep innovating, strengthening, and building on existing measures.

The Government of Canada is committed to moving to net-zero emissions by 2050.

This goal will require support and engagement from all parts of society, including provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and businesses.

The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, introduced in Parliament on November 19, 2020, will formalize Canada’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050, and establish a series of interim emissions reduction targets at 5-year milestones toward that goal.

It will also require a series of plans and reports to support accountability and transparency and help ensure Canada hits all of its milestones on the way its goal to achieve a prosperous net-zero economy by the year the 2050.

Net-Zero Advisory Body

In February 2021, the Government of Canada established an independent group of experts from across the country, who will consult with Canadians and provide the Government with advice on the best pathways to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.The Advisory Body is comprised of 14 individuals from across Canada with a diverse range of experience and expertise in business, policymaking, science and other areas.

New Initiatives

As part of Canada’s plan, the Government of Canada has committed $3 billion to establish a Net-Zero Accelerator Fund to help large emitter reduce their emissions.

Later this year, the Government of Canada will launch the Net-Zero Challenge, a voluntary initiative to encourage Canadian companies, particularly large industrial emitters, to develop and implement plans to transition their operations to net-zero emissions by 2050.

What is Net-Zero?

Achieving net-zero emissions means our economy either emits no greenhouse gas emissions or offsets its emissions, for example, through actions such as tree planting or employing technologies that can capture carbon before it is released into the air. This is essential to keeping the world safe and livable for our kids and grandkids.

Canada  has joined over 120 countries in committing to be net-zero emissions by 2050, including all other G7 nations (United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Italy, France, and Japan), A number of provinces and cities have already made net-zero-by-2050 commitments, including Guelph, Vancouver, Hamilton, Toronto, Halifax, Newfoundland and Labrador, and most recently Quebec. Prince Edward Island has also pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Nova Scotia and British Columbia have put into place, or plan to put into place, provincial net-zero-by-2050 legislation.

Latest news

• Canada Joins U.S. in Establishing Net-Zero Producers Forum (April 23, 2021)
  
• Prime Minister Trudeau announces increased climate ambition (April 22, 2021)
  
• The Government of Canada announces experts for independent net-zero advisory body (February 25, 2021)
• Prime Minister announces Canada’s strengthened climate plan to protect the environment, create jobs, and support communities (December 11, 2020)
• Government of Canada charts course for clean growth by introducing bill to legislate net-zero emissions by 2050 (November 19, 2020)

Related Research

• Report: Canada’s Net Zero Future: Finding Our Way in the Global Transition (February 5, 2020)
  • First comprehensive modelling report by the publicly-funded, non-partisan, independently-governed Canadian Institute for Climate Choices on how Canada can achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Links

• Success Stories: Climate action by communities and businesses
• Strategic Assessment of Climate Change – new major projects with a lifetime beyond 2050 are required to have a credible plan that outlines how they will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act
• Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body
• Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy

Related News

• LAC-Ottawa Public Library Joint Facility: Government of Canada provides net zero carbon funding
• Government of Canada announces commitment to build Canada's clean industrial advantage
• Greening Government Strategy: A Government of Canada Directive
• The Government of Canada is leading by example on combatting climate change