An October 29 federal audit finds Canada is further from meeting its 2030 climate target and lacks a clear public account of additional emissions-reduction steps.
A widening gap in projected emissions cuts
A report from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, working within the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, says federal implementation of selected emissions-reduction measures has not progressed sufficiently. Canada's formal commitment is to cut greenhouse-gas emissions 40% to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. The latest government projections point to a reduction of about 28%, compared with a 36% reduction projected in 2023. Projections are forecasts based on assumptions and announced measures, not a measurement of actual 2030 emissions.
What the audit found
According to the October 29 release, Environment and Climate Change Canada did not explain in its reporting how the federal government would close the gap to its legislated target. The audit also found that some previously planned measures had been cancelled or weakened, with effects not fully reflected in the latest forecast. The commissioner examined two federal procurement initiatives and found that they did not achieve intended emissions reductions. One low-carbon fuel purchasing program for federal air and marine fleets faced supply constraints and was being ended four years earlier than planned.
Progress noted, questions remaining
The audit did identify some improvements in federal emissions reporting and procurement tools. Federal organizations implemented seven of nine recommendations from earlier audits, with work continuing on the other two. Those administrative improvements do not, on their own, close the projected emissions gap. Readers should watch for updated projections that account for cancelled measures and for a detailed government plan explaining how future emissions reductions would be achieved. The findings are those of an independent federal audit and should not be mistaken for a new climate-policy announcement.
Sources & transparency
Office of the Auditor General of Canada — 2030 emissions-target audit, October 29Original CDN News coverage. Sources are linked for reference.
Request a correction