Decarbonizing Canada's economy by 2050 requires governments to move quickly to reduce emissions from the electricity sector — starting with a commitment to achieve a net-zero grid by 2035. From coal phase-out to strong carbon pricing, broad policies and measures are key to accelerating supply of clean electricity to meet growing demand. Also key: interprovincial electricity grid connections to make the most of our renewable energy strengths.

As Canada moves ahead with national strategies to achieve net-zero by 2050, hydrogen is a key element in the plan. New research shows that the climate benefits of blue hydrogen vary widely. Made with natural gas using carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions, the carbon footprint of blue hydrogen depends on the extraction and transportation method of the natural gas, and the production methods used to separate hydrogen from methane.

Canada needs to get as close as possible to eliminating methane emissions by the end of this decade to help reach its net-zero goal, and should set a 2030 target of at least 75% below 2012 emission levels. Federal and provincial governments should set more ambitious targets to reduce methane emissions and implement the policies to achieve them. The technologies to drastically cut emissions of this harmful pollutant are commercially available and economic.

New technologies have the potential to further reduce the cost of finding methane leaks for producers of all sizes through smart design of leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs, the right combination of technologies, and collaboration between producers within the same geographic area. This study conducted multiple simulations to evaluate the impact of alternative technologies on the cost and effectiveness of LDAR, finding cost reductions that in some cases exceeded 50%. 

The valuation and measurement of Canada’s forests, wetlands and peatlands, known as nature-based solutions, can contribute to carbon offset markets, but only with consistent protocols in place.