Clean Energy Strategy
Objective:
To increase production and use of renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
Main Activities:
Investment in research and development of energy storage technology to ensure a stable supply of renewable energy.
Financial support and incentives for businesses and communities to transition to clean energy sources.
Clean energy transition: Canada aims to produce 90% of its electricity from zero-emission sources by 2030. Currently, 83% of electricity comes from clean sources such as hydro, wind and solar. Hydropower dominates the energy mix. In addition, wind power is expected to grow significantly from 35 TWh (2021) to 425 TWh (2050 (IEA) (Canada.ca)
Achievements:
Canada hiện là một trong những nước có tỷ lệ sử dụng thủy điện cao nhất thế giới, và quốc gia này đang tiếp tục mở rộng khả năng sản xuất năng lượng từ các nguồn tái tạo khác.
Energy Efficiency Act
Objective:
To increase energy efficiency through setting standards for energy-consuming equipment and systems.
Description:
This law sets minimum energy efficiency standards for a wide range of products, such as appliances, air conditioners, and lighting systems.
To reduce energy consumption, Canada requires new appliances to have certifications such as the ENERGY STAR Certificate.
Support Programs
The government offers incentive programs such as the Energy Savings Rebate Program to help consumers save money when purchasing energy-efficient products.
Green Homes
Objective:
To help people upgrade their homes to increase energy efficiency, thereby reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Program Details:
The Government of Canada provides grants of up to $5,000 CAD to households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These improvements include upgrading insulation, replacing windows and heating systems, and installing solar panels.
The program also covers the cost of having the home inspected for energy efficiency before and after the upgrades.
Benefits:
Households can save on energy costs in the long term, while also reducing their environmental impact.
Carbon Pricing
Objective:
To create economic incentives for industries and individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by placing costs on the use of fossil fuels.
Details:
Canada’s carbon pricing system uses two main approaches: a carbon tax and a cap-and-trade system. Canada’s carbon pricing mechanism will start at CAD 40 per tonne of CO2 in 2021, increasing to CAD 170 per tonne by 2030 (IEA)
Carbon tax:
A fee is imposed on each tonne of carbon dioxide emitted. Industries and individuals will pay an additional cost for using high-emission fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Cap-and-Trade:
This system places a cap on the total amount of emissions allowed by businesses, and allows businesses to buy and sell emissions allowances.
Results:
Industries tend to invest in low-carbon technologies to avoid taxes or sell excess allowances, thereby accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric Vehicle Strategy
Objective:
To increase the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road and reduce reliance on fossil fuel vehicles, especially given that transportation is one of the largest sources of emissions in Canada.
Details:
The Government of Canada has committed to 100% of new vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2035.
Incentives:
Electric vehicle buyers can receive rebates of up to $5,000 from the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program.
Infrastructure:
The government is investing in building a nationwide network of charging stations, especially along highways and in major urban areas.
Investments in research and development to improve battery technology and increase energy storage capacity are also being stepped up.
Summary:
The above policies are designed to help Canada achieve its target of reducing emissions by 40-45% compared to 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2050, in addition to helping to tackle climate change, but also promoting a clean energy economy, creating more jobs and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Canada is currently one of the pioneering countries in developing sustainable energy solutions.