Canada to Establish Emissions Reduction Plan by April 2022

For the past decade, climate change has been at the forefront of the world’s problems. Almost every country has taken its measures while making plans to reduce and eventually halt climate change, including Canada. Beginning in 2021 Canada released its Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which is an act that will not only require Canada to meet net-zero by 2050 but how it will be done. One of the major parts of this new act is the Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP). This is a government plan that will set Canada to reduce by 2030 its 2005 greenhouse gas emissions by 45%.

What Will the Emissions Reduction Plan Bring?

Although the plan hasn’t been released yet the government has made it clear that the transportation, oil/gas, energy, and residential sectors will be targeted. According to the Government of Canada, the ERP will include but not limited to the following commitments by 2030:

• Mandating the sale of zero-emission vehicles, making at least 50% of new light-duty vehicles electric.
• New emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles
• Capping emissions from the oil and gas sector at current levels and requiring a decline by 45%.
• Developing a plan to reduce methane emissions across Canada, by 75% below 2012 levels. This will include households, landfills, and agriculture emissions.
• Transitioning to a net-zero emitting electricity grid.

What This Means for Canadian Homeowners

In the large picture, the Emissions Reduction Plan will be great for the earth as all countries need to take a step towards reducing emissions. But specifically for Canadian homeowners, this will bring some change. One of the government’s goals is to reduce natural gas-based CO2 and methane emissions. As a result, at some point greenhouse emissions from natural gas heating systems in homes will have to be offset with electric alternatives. With the electricity price on the rise, homeowners can take advantage of the Annora wind turbine to help offset expected electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

Sources Used:
Government of Canada