The table below contains more information regarding the indicator.
Indicator name |
Greenhouse gas emissions |
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Target |
By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. |
Indicator description |
This indicator measures greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20). (definition from United Nations Climate Change) |
Geographical coverage |
Canada, provinces and territories |
Unit of measurement |
Megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) |
Calculations |
In general, GHG emissions are estimated by multiplying activity data by the associated emission factor. |
Comments and limitations |
The Greenhouse gas emissions indicators are comprehensive but some emission sources have not been included in the indicators because they are not reported in the National Inventory Report. Owing to their relatively small contributions to the total emissions, these excluded sources do not significantly affect the overall completeness of the inventory. A detailed explanation of the excluded emission sources can be found in Annex 5 of the National Inventory Report. Although reported in the National Inventory Report, emissions and removals from the land use, land use change and forestry sector are excluded from national totals and subsequently not reported as part of the Greenhouse gas emissions indicators. (ECCC) |