Laser Talk: Tracking Canada’s Climate Action (2008 – 2024)

In April 2019, Canada’s Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development, Julie Gelfand, said, “for decades, successive federal governments have failed to reach their targets for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, and the government is not ready to adapt to a changing climate. This must change.”

2008-2012: According to Gelfand, Canada’s emissions would have gone up significantly between 2008-2012 if it were not for the 2008 recession and actions of the provinces. 

2011-2016: Climate Action Tracker (CAT) provides an independent scientific analysis produced by three research organizations, tracks progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, and ranks countries on their performance. From 2011 to 2015, CAT ranked Canada in the lowest category “Critically Insufficient” alongside the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia. From 2015 to 2016, Canada’s ranking was still very low.

2017-2023:  In 2017, Canada was moved up into the next CAT category “Highly Insufficient”.

2024: In 2024 Canada was moved into the CAT category “Insufficient”. We have made progress. Onward we need to go though. 

References:

 “Canada’s failure to fight climate change ‘disturbing … – CBC.ca.” 2 Apr. 2019, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/environment-commissioner-julie-gelfand-disturbing-climate-change-1.5081027. Accessed 13 Aug. 2019.

 Cimateactiontracker.org/canada. Accessed 10 February. 2025