Net Zero by 2050 Targets

“Net Zero by 2050” is a decarbonization target. It is a commitment to, on balance, emit no more greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere by mid-century. This is not the same as not emitting any GHGs, but instead that any emissions will be offset by reductions elsewhere. “Offsets” could be through emissions credits or through some form of carbon capture.

Canada passed legislation in 2021 committing Canada to this target. The government also committed to achieving a net zero electricity grid by 2035 and is currently developing a Clean Electricity Standard to support that objective.

Electricity is going to do most of the heavy lifting to decarbonize the economy. Transportation, home heating, and industrial processes that currently use some sort of fossil fuel will increasingly be electrified. Even where direct electrification isn’t practicable, such as with some heat-intensive processes or heavy transport, alternative fuels like hydrogen can be produced using electricity.

To reach this target, electricity will need to become Canada’s primary energy source. The federal government has projected Canada will need two to three times as much clean electricity by 2050. To do so, Canada will need to lean on all available options: including more renewables, traditional hydro, small modular reactors, carbon capture, energy storage, and transmission. Balancing all of this alongside affordability and reliability will be a monumental effort.

To meet the needs of tomorrow, Canada needs to start building today.