Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada fell by nearly 9% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

The reason is that Canadians as well as the rest of the world are forced to change their lifestyles and limit travel to curb the spread of COVID-19.

A report that Canada submitted to the United Nations on April 14 showed that the amount of greenhouse gas emissions annual drop of 66 megatons by 2020. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said in a statement, describing the drop as the equivalent of 20 million cars stopped.

The reduction includes 27 megatonnes of traffic emissions, mainly due to people not driving and traveling by air due to travel restrictions or border controls related to the pandemic.

“This is the first report to track the impact of the pandemic on emissions in Canada“, said Minister Guilbeault.So we have to keep in mind that overall emissions are likely to recover to some extent as Canada’s economy bounces back.“.

However, there are also “real signs of progress” in Canada’s National GHG Emissions Inventory, Mr. Guilbeault added.

Highway 417 is empty in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on April 4, 2020. (Photo: Reuters)

Fighting climate change is one of Canada’s top priorities under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Canadian government has committed to cutting emissions by 40-45% from 2005 levels by 2030.

In March, the Government of Canada released a detailed plan for emission reduction and announced new spending of CAD 9 billion ($7.1 billion) to meet the country’s climate goals.

Climate consultancy Clean Energy Canada welcomed the news on the emissions reductions, saying the 2020 report shows the impact of COVID-19 as well as the effectiveness of climate policy.

The report shows that measures such as accelerating the transition to electric vehicles will help Canada meet its emissions reduction target, Minister Guilbeault said.

At the same time, according to the report, a reduction in electricity production, largely due to the phasing out of coal-fired power, is a goal of Canada’s emissions reduction plan.

According to Mr. Guilbeault, Canada is also on track to achieve the goal reduce methane gas in the oil and gas sector from 40% to 45% by 2025 compared with the level of 2012.

* Invite readers to watch programs broadcast by Vietnam Television on TV Online and VTVGo!