OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian greenhouse gases emissions in 2022 rose less than expected after the worst of the pandemic, a sign the country is on target to meet its climate goals, Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault said on Thursday.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Canada, a leading oil and gas producer, has missed every single one of its greenhouse gas emission targets. The Liberal government, which has introduced a raft of measures intended to address climate change and boost the use of green energy, says the data in its latest annual performance report show the country is on track as planned to cut emissions by 40% to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
KEY QUOTE
"(This) report confirms we have bent the curve, and emissions remain on a long-term downward track while we grow a clean, sustainable, and strong economy," said Guilbeault.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emissions in 2022 rose only 9.3 megatonnes to 708 megatonnes from 2021, lower than the 13 megatonne increase forecast by the environment ministry.
THE RESPONSE
"It appears the suite of measures introduced by the Government of Canada over the last several years is starting to make a notable dent in our overall emissions," said the Pembina institute green think tank.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
