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0 What mitigation strategies are actually in application today using Canada as a case study:
Canada has about 0.5% of the world’s population but contributes about 2% of the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This data puts Canadians among the highest per capita emitters globally.
Previously, Canada indicated its intent to reduce GHGs emissions by 3O% below 2OO5 levels by 2O3O, confirmed in its First Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. At COP26 which ran from October 31, 2021 to November 12, 2021 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada’s NDC will newly commit to reducing GHGs emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by the year 2030.
According to this NDC, the country has one of the cleanest electricity systems globally, with almost 80% of the electricity supply emitting no GHGs, including nuclear, hydro and other renewable sources.
How did they achieve this? Through the following mitigation strategies:
– Introduction of Carbon pollution pricing systems across Canada. Every province and territory will have a minimum $30 per tonne price on carbon emissions from fuel consumption that is “paid at the pump.” Industrial facilities that are “major emitters” can buy and sell credits to meet their reduction targets.
– Educating the public about the implications of climate change and encouraging energy efficiency and conservation.
– Substituting renewable energy for non-renewable fossil fuels. Sources of renewable energy include wind, tidal, solar, earth and geothermal, and bioenergy.
– Adoption of Low-emission alternatives like hybrid electric vehicles, on-demand hot water heaters and energy-saving light bulbs.
– Practicing Cogeneration which is simultaneously producing electrical and thermal energy from a single fuel. The heat produced during the electricity generation process is used to convert water into steam. The steam can then be used in industrial processes or piped to residential areas to heat homes.
– Development of “The Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change,” a national fund intended to help provinces and territories develop technologies and projects to reduce air pollution and GHG emissions.
-Applying Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration techniques to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it. Examples include afforestation, reforestation, etc. EnCana Corporation in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, has been running one of the most extensive carbon storage facilities in the world for the past seven years.
Canada is committed to exceeding its 2O3O emissions reduction target, putting the nation on a path to a prosperous net-zero emissions future by 2050. You can read about progress made by Canada towards its set goals at
- Sustainability On My Mind 2022-2023 Series - July 7, 2023
- Sustainability on My Mind Workshop Series – Green Cleaning Products - June 29, 2023
- Sustainability on My Mind Workshop Series – Tin Can Luminaries - June 15, 2023
