About the Country

Canada

Canada submitted its updated NDC in 2017. Its overarching commitment is a 30% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030. In addition to the UNFCCC GHG inventory, it will also work to reduce black carbon, identified as significant to Arctic warming. The country has begun an implementation scheme of its NDC under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted in 2016, a plan which targets emissions reductions across all sectors of the economy. A cornerstone of its strategy to achieve these reductions is a national level carbon pricing system, building on existing provincial systems, which it plans to review and assess for stringency and effectiveness.

Canada’s ten provinces have varying policies relating to energy supply and demand, economic incentives for efficiency, and alternative fuels, but a national strategy is coming together under the PCF and its related frameworks. Additionally, many of Canada’s national policies when it comes to vehicles and transportation nod to alignment with the United States, in an effort to establish an overarching North American standard.

Other actions that Canada has outlined to mitigate emissions include: expanding clean/low-carbon energy (including developing a clean fuel standard), further regulation of the electricity industry, improving energy efficiency, developing ‘net-zero energy ready’ building codes for new buildings, setting stricter vehicle standards, pursuing regulations to reduce methane emissions from oil & gas, as well as regulations to phase down hydrofluorocarbons.

Take Action

Commit to double energy productivity

Forward-looking companies are realising the transformational benefits of setting an ambitious energy productivity goal, while making a vital contribution in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The benefits range from huge cost savings and improved energy security, to driving innovation throughout the company. And crucially, many companies are achieving an immediate impact on profitability as well as safeguarding future returns.

Companies can seize these opportunities by committing to double energy productivity through the EP100 initiative, brought to you by The Climate Group in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy.

Take Action

Join the Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative

The Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative (LCTPi) is comprised of over 160 companies and 70 partners that are committed to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Led by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and supported by We Mean Business partners, LCTPi offers a collaborative platform for businesses and policymakers to scale up deployment of business solutions to a level and speed that are consistent with limiting global warming to below 2°C.

Take Action

Commit to 100% renewable power

Forward-looking companies are harnessing the benefits of transitioning to 100% renewable power, including cost reduction, increased innovation and reputational gains.

By transitioning electricity needs to renewable sources, businesses are also playing a crucial role in driving the creation of a thriving, global market for renewable generation – a game-changer in reducing emissions.

Companies committed to 100% renewable power will be invited to join RE100 brought to you by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP. RE100 is a global, collaborative initiative uniting influential businesses committed to using 100% renewable electricity.

Take Action

Commit to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Climate change poses serious risks to the global economy. Nonetheless, investors and financial markets lack clear and comparable information about which companies or assets are most exposed to this issue and which are best prepared.

To address this issue, companies are encouraged to commit to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The TCFD has published recommendations for reporting climate-related financial information in mainstream reports (annual financial filings).

Companies, investors and financial organizations globally are encouraged to implement the recommendations to allow a more efficient allocation of capital, improve the dialogue among all financial players and support a smooth and rapid transition to a low-carbon economy.

Take Action

Adopt a science-based emissions reduction target

Leading businesses recognise the opportunity – and the imperative – to be part of the low-carbon transition. Their future growth and competitiveness hinges on it.

By setting clear, ‘science-based’ emissions reduction targets, companies ensure their plans for carbon reduction meet the level of ambition needed to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C.

Science-based targets enable companies to play their part in achieving this goal while harnessing climate action as a driver of innovation, competitiveness, risk management and growth.

Companies can develop targets via the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a collaboration between CDP, World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

Take Action

Reduce short-lived climate pollutant emissions

Tackling ‘short-lived climate pollutants’ (SLCPs) – including methane, black carbon, tropospheric ozone or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – is vital to reduce near-term global warming and improve human well-being.

Businesses taking action to reduce these emissions can deliver rapid and measurable benefits in air quality, public health and food security whilst also boosting economic growth and making a key contribution to global climate change mitigation efforts.

Take Action

Remove commodity-driven deforestation from all supply chains by 2020

The commodities soy, palm oil, beef, timber and pulp are wealth generators that feature in the supply chains of companies across economic sectors. By leading the agenda on how these commodities can be sustainably produced, forward-looking businesses are driving innovation, competitiveness and growth.

Business has the power to alter global demand for the agricultural commodities that are the primary drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. And with deforestation accounting for approximately 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, the need for action has never been more urgent.

Take Action

Grow the market for the world’s most sustainable fuels

Low-carbon fuels have huge potential for increasing fuel efficiency, reducing costs and cutting emissions. And the time for creating a global market for these fuels has never been better.

below50, brought to you by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development(WBCSD), aims to create demand for low-carbon fuels and scale up their deployment by increasing the number of companies choosing sustainable alternative fuels. This will create cross-sectoral opportunities along supply chains, while addressing legislative and financial barriers to bring these fuels into the mainstream.

below50 brings together companies and organizations who commit to growing the global market for the world’s most sustainable fuels – that is fuels producing at least 50% less CO² emissions than conventional fossil fuels.

Take Action

Commit to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure

The transport sector is the fastest-growing contributor to climate change, accounting for 23% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Electric transport offers a major solution in cutting millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, as well as curbing transport related air and noise pollution.

With businesses owning over half of all registered vehicles on the road, it is crucial that companies lead the shift to electric vehicles.

EV100 is a global initiative, led by The Climate Group, bringing together forward looking companies committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and making electric transport the new normal by 2030.

Take Action

Put a price on carbon

A growing group of forward-looking companies are using an internal carbon price to help manage climate risk and align themselves with the low-carbon transition.

Internal carbon pricing can not only help companies effectively combat climate change and meet bold emissions reduction targets, but can also encourage innovation, drive down costs and help ensure sustained economic competitiveness.

Leading businesses recognize this and are building a carbon price into their operations and investment decisions, as an effective way to future-proof profitability and help shape the evolving regulatory framework.

Take Action

Commit to responsible corporate engagement in climate policy

A supportive policy framework is vital to give business the backing it needs in the transition to a low-carbon economy. This is why forward-looking companies are actively ensuring their policy engagement on key climate issues is aligned, transparent, and consistent.

The “Guide for Responsible Corporate Engagement in Climate Policy” sets out a program of action for companies wishing to demonstrate best practice in policy engagement.

Take Action

Improve water security

Responsible water management is fundamental for companies to ensure long-term resilience and protect future profitability. While water security – access to a reliable supply of sufficient amounts of good quality freshwater – is also vital to achieving low-carbon ambitions.

The Business Alliance for Water and Climate (BAFWAC), a partnership among the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate, CDP, SUEZ and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), has set out a program of actions for companies who wish to demonstrate their commitment to being responsible water stewards. It is supported by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). BAFWAC will focus peer learning around three areas of action including climate resilient supply chains, circular water management, and natural infrastructure.