Canada’s actions to reduce emissions

Where Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions come from.

Breakdown of emissions by category
Long description

Emissions by source:

  • Oil and gas: 26 percent
  • Electricity: 8.8 percent
  • Transportation: 25 percent
  • Heavy industry: 11 percent
  • Buildings: 13 percent
  • Agriculture: 10 percent
  • Waste and others: 5.8 percent

Note: Emissions totals (99 percent) are rounded.

Source: National Inventory Report 1990-2017: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada

Economic sectors used to calculate emissions:

We are taking action to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions through investments, support, and tougher regulations as we transition toward a low-carbon future.

Homes and buildings

Making Canada’s building sector more energy efficient is a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save households and businesses money. Homes and buildings contribute 13 percent of Canada’s emissions. We are reducing this amount by:

Learn about:

Transportation

Investing in cleaner transportation will create good jobs, help Canada be more competitive in the low-carbon economy, and improve our quality of life. The transportation sector contributes 25 percent of Canada’s emissions. We are reducing this amount by:

Learn about

News and information

Regulations:

Industry

Canada’s industries are the backbone of our economy, but they are also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. They contribute 11 percent of Canada’s emissions. We are reducing this amount by:

The right investments today can make dramatic changes to reduce emissions and increase sustainability.

Oil and gas

Canada’s oil and gas industry is an important contributor to our economy. However, the sector produces 26 percent of total emissions. There are many opportunities to reduce these emissions by investing in clean technologies and innovation.

We are setting fair regulations that will keep Canada globally competitive while protecting the environment by:

News and regulations

Forestry, agriculture and waste

Canada’s forestry, agriculture, and waste sectors contribute 10 percent of Canada’s emissions. We are reducing this amount by:

Learn about

Electricity

Generating electricity contributes 8.8 percent of Canada’s emissions. We are reducing this amount by:

Canada is moving toward a clean-energy future. By 2030, Canada’s energy grid will be 90 percent clean. Making a transition to cleaner energy helps protect the health of Canadians, cuts carbon pollution, and positions us to take part in the projected $26 trillion global clean-growth industry.

News and regulations

Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs)

Canada’s plan for addressing short-lived climate pollutants, such as hydrofluorocarbons, will help meet climate goals and improve air quality. This plan will help the world avoid an increase in its average temperature by up to 0.5 degrees Celsius, by the end of the century.

Climate action map

See how the Government of Canada is fighting climate change in communities across the country.

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