Going Green: Recent Climate Change And Energy Developments

While Canada, along with the rest of the world, continues its efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, several recent federal and provincial announcements have confirmed that government has not lost sight of the threat posed by global climate change.

Federal Target Net-Zero by 2050

On November 19, Canada took legislative action to affirm its 2019 commitment to target "net-zero" greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Bill C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, calls for the government to establish GHG emissions targets and reduction plans for milestone years: 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045. Although no details have been released, the 2030 target and associated reduction plan are to be established within six months of the legislation coming into force. Subsequent targets and plans are due at least five years prior to the relevant milestone year.