Four Easy Ways to Reduce Canada's GHG Emissions

In 2015, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 722 Mt CO2e (million tonnes CO2 equivalent) in Canada.1 Canada's GHG emissions goals from the Paris Agreement include reducing emissions to 523 Mt CO2e/year by 2030 and 149 Mt CO2e/year by 2050.2 This paper considers four areas of potential emissions reductions, based on known technology and methods that are currently in use globally. Essentially, what can we do easily? Road transportation, sour gas plants, residential buildings, and commercial and institutional buildings are studied to determine recommendations for GHG emissions reductions. A series of quantitative metrics are laid out to test key aspects of each type of emissions reduction considered, including the economic, environmental and social feasibility in Canada, offering comparative analysis and recommendations. Based on this analysis, with known technology in the four areas noted above, an estimated reduction of 68 Mt CO2e/year or a 9% reduction relative to the 2015 baseline can be achieved. Of the areas considered, the most significant potential GHG reductions are in 2 |passenger and freight vehicles. The retrofitting of existing sour gas plants offers a concentrated CO2 stream and therefore an efficient location in which to capture CO2 with known technology. However, the total volume is relatively small and the costs are concentrated on a small stakeholder group. Strong economic incentives may be required in order to proceed with this measure. In addition to GHG emissions reductions, the vehicle and residential retrofits considered here have a modest operating cost savings incentive for consumers due to the associated reduction in energy usage. The proposed emissions abatement projects outlined here can potentially help Canada reduce emissions by 9%, not huge but a start toward Canada's Paris Agreement goals. However, achievement of these reductions will take time. Policy choices are key to accelerating timing and level of uptake of these abatement methods. In addition, policies must consider Canadian preferences and performance over the last twenty-five years. Lower GHG emissions measures have been in the marketplace for years, but consumer preferences do not always follow even when there are economic incentives. This paper also explores the quandary of why Canadians demonstrate two behaviours: they support carbon reduction initiatives in the forms of carbon tax and participation in the Paris Agreement, while at the same time steadfastly owning larger vehicles and living in larger homes. Evidence suggests Canadians embrace current policies and financial incentives to lower their emissions, but in general do not search out how they can reduce emissions further. In fact, their personal preferences align with economic success and growth, rather than policy ideals.

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