By Faridat Salifu
Canada has announced a new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 50 percent by 2035, marking an interim step toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 under the Paris Agreement.
The country unveiled the goal on Thursday, December 12, 2024, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.
The new target builds on Canada’s existing commitment to cut emissions by 40-45 percent by 2030.
The country’s Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, emphasized that the plan aligns with the government’s promise to leave future generations a sustainable and prosperous world.
“This target ensures we remain on track to address the climate crisis while fostering an economy that is resilient, equitable, and prosperous for all,” Guilbeault said in a statement.
The announcement follows recent government data suggesting that Canada is on course to meet its 2030 emissions target. However, critics remain skeptical given the country’s history of missing previous climate goals.
As one of the world’s leading oil and gas producers, Canada faces a complex challenge of balancing its economic reliance on fossil fuels with the need to decarbonize.
The Canadian Climate Institute welcomed the 2035 target as “achievable,” but stressed that sustained action would be required to meet it.
However, other environmental groups argue the goal falls far short of what is necessary to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, as stipulated by the Paris Agreement.
Climate Action Network Canada called the target insufficient, stating that Canada’s fair share of global climate responsibility would require an 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2035.
Similarly, 350.org condemned the plan, describing it as inadequate, given the severity of the climate crisis and Canada’s historical contributions to global emissions.
Amara Possian, Canada Team Lead at 350.org, said, “This target ignores scientific recommendations and fails to address the urgency of the moment. Canada must move away from its fossil fuel dependency and lead with bold, transformative action on clean energy.”
The David Suzuki Foundation also criticized the government for setting a goal that does not adequately address the climate emergency, while the Pembina Institute called for more ambitious policies to enhance Canada’s competitiveness in the emerging global clean energy economy.
The announcement comes as Canada braces for a federal election, with polls suggesting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government could lose to the opposition Conservatives, who have criticized key climate measures, including an emissions cap on the oil and gas sector.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, passed in 2021, requires the government to release a detailed plan for achieving the 2035 target by the end of 2029.
Observers note that the success of the new target will depend on Canada’s ability to implement effective policies and transition to a clean energy economy in the face of political and industry opposition.
As Canada navigates its path to net-zero, the coming years will test the government’s resolve to prioritize bold climate action over short-term economic pressures. END
Source: Canada.ca