Figures from a recent report from the Canadian government indicate that Canada is on track to meet one of its major climate change commitments, generating at least 90 per cent of utility-provided electricity from emissions-free sources by 2030.
The figures are found in Canada’s Fourth Biennial Report (BR4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on its progress toward its 2030 GHG target under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Table A2.37 (abbreviated for space) shows the relevant figures. Summing up the emission-free sources of utility generation in 2030—nuclear, hydro and other renewables—yields 536 Terawatt hours (TWh). Dividing that amount by the total utility generation of 595 TWh gives the 90% non-emitting generation figure.
A spokesperson from Environment Canada confirms that solar and wind generation from privately-owned Independent Power Producers (IPPs) is included under utility generation. Environment and Climate Change Canada aligns its solar and wind installed capacity figures to Canadian Solar Industries Association (CANSIA) and Canadian Wind Energy Association (CANWEA) data.
The projections include measures already taken (“with measures”), including a nationwide price on GHG emissions, plus “with additional measures,” including a clean fuel standard, new strategic interconnections between provinces, net-zero ready building codes for new buildings, retrofitted building codes for existing buildings, and others. LULUCF (land use, land use change and forestry) refers to emissions and removals of greenhouse gases resulting from direct human-induced land use.
The UN report is dated February 13.