Electricity Canada releases Sustainable Electricity Annual Report for data year 2019/2020
During 2019/2020, carbon emissions from generating power decreased, while there were the lowest number of power interruptions to date. These are just a couple of highlights from Electricity Canada’s Sustainable Electricity Annual report for 2019/2020.
The Sustainable Electricity program is mandatory for all Electricity Canada members and is integral to addressing issues in sustainability within the electricity sector, as well as for developing best practices from an environmental, social, economic, and governance perspective. This annual report of the program offers an in-depth look into the work of Electricity Canada’s members during 2019/2020 to advance sustainability within the electricity sector.
The data collected for this report is based on five reporting “pillars” which represent elements of sustainability that are most important to the Canadian electricity sector’s stakeholders and the success of the industry. These pillars include:
- Ensuring a low-carbon future
- Creating infrastructure renewal and modernization
- Building relationships
- Implementing risk-management systems
- Achieving business excellence
Some of the report’s highlights:
- The total carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions from Electricity Canada members decreased from 67.9Mt in 2018, to 51.8Mt in 2020.
- The net-generation of electricity from renewable sources has increased 33% from 2019 to 2020, with a total of 8,720 gigawatt-hours generated in 2020.
- The total annual energy saved through external energy conservation programs was 6,414,208.24 MWh/year.
- Customers across Canada experienced the lowest number of power interruptions to date (excluding significant weather events).
The report also discusses Electricity Canada’s newly-developed Indigenous Relations Pilot Project. This new project assesses the industry’s overall adherence to the national principles for engaging Indigenous peoples, and to establish a path for continuous improvement. The pilot was developed using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and indicators. “The most important advancement and significant projects in this sector are focused on building strong, respectful, and beneficial relationships with Indigenous peoples and First Nations Communities. Some of the most enduring relationships with First Nations peoples are in the electricity sector,” notes Francis Bradley, president and CEO of Electricity Canada.
The report features member testimonies and success stories from across the country, as well as recommendations for future improvement in the Sustainable Electricity Program.
Read the full report here and learn more about the Sustainable Electricity Program.