Submitted by Climate Scorecard Canada Country Manager Diane Szoller Renewable energy resources are on the rise in Canada and are expected to continue growing in the future. The Halifax Solar City (HSC) program is the first of its kind in Canada. This project is a community renewable best practice which offers property owners access to...
Author: Diane Szoller (Diane Szoller)
Canada Should Extend Practices that Reduced Energy Demand During COVID-19 Among Other Climate Mitigation Recommendations
Policy Recommendation # 1: Extend Practices that Reduced Energy Demand During COVID-19 Policy Recommendation # 2: Steps to Increase the Emission Reduction Targets of HEAHE Policy Recommendation # 3: Increase Accountability Measures for the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act In their latest Emissions Gap Report, UNEP tells us more countries are committing to net-zero emissions goals...
Canada’s Electricity is Largely Hydro-Driven
National Resources Canada describes the country’s total electricity generation in 2018 as 641 terawatt hours (TWh), or 2% of the world’s electricity generation. The breakdown of Canada’s energy usage is as follows: 60% hydro, 15% nuclear. 7% coal, 11% natural gas, and 7% renewables. In 2019, Canada exported 60.4 TWh—or 8%—of its electricity to the...
Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased by 20.9% Since 1990
Canada’s Latest Reported Greenhouse Gas Emissions Level: 729 MT in 2018, a 20.9% increase compared to 603 Mt in 1990 (Data source Environment and Climate Change Canada reporting). On November 19, 2020 Canada moved forward its proposed legislation, Bill C-12, promising both transparency and accountability to get to net-zero emissions by 2050. Every year, Canada’s...
Canadian Prime Minister’s Throne Speech Sets Forward a Sweeping Climate Mitigation Agenda
CLIMATE POLICY – Canada’s minority government received a confidence vote on its September 23rd Throne Speech plan (which opens every new session of Parliament). The pillars of the plan announced by Prime Minster Justin Trudeau are to: fight the pandemic and save lives, support people and businesses through the COVID-19 crisis, reconciliation, recognize Canada’s progress...
CAN-Rac Organizations Leading Climate Research in Canada
There are a number of organizations that generate important climate change research and outcomes in Canada. Many are members of Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac), a coalition of more than 100 organizations from across Canada. Individual efforts can be found as well through universities, businesses, and institutes. Climate funding may come...
Green Jobs Appear in 90% of the 500 Jobs Listed in Canada’s Occupational Codes
Green Jobs Profile As Canada’s Columbia Institute explains, countries worldwide are planning the “decarbonizing” of infrastructure, industries, and economies as part of their commitment to the Paris Agreement. This shift is gaining momentum and will impact all sectors of our society to a more sustainable future. The transitioning to a green economy driven by automation...
Canada is Responding to the Need of Climate Justice in Indigenous Communities
Climate justice’s intention is to offer fair treatment and a balanced share of social, environmental and economic benefits across populations. Without a climate justice lens, climate legislation risks may worsen the already deficient gap between the wealthy creating more emissions and those of lower income limited in financing improved energy performance to access rebates or...
Canada’s Diverse Ecosystem Needs Further Protection to Reduce Climate Change Impacts
Global diversity loss increasingly brings to our attention the disruption of life-sustaining ecosystems as species become more crowded together, creating conditions for new illnesses to spread. Urban development encroaching on species’ habitats, large-scale deforestation, habitat loss, agriculture intensity, food production, species and climate change can all drive biodiversity loss. Statistics Canada reports that, despite it’s...
Canada’s Response to Coronavirus Does Not Take Into Account Climate Considerations
(1) Canada’s health and economic recovery policies for addressing COVID-19 In the span of a month, Canada, similar to many other countries, has had devastating economic impacts as it tackles COVID-19. Businesses are closed and workers must remain at home, many being unpaid or unsure their jobs will continue. On April 9, Prime Minister Trudeau...