Greenhouse Gas Emissions
1.1 Chapter Summary

Canadian Context

• Incremental GHG emissions caused by human activity are having a discernible impact on the climate.
• In 2004, Canadians contributed approximately 758 megatonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to the atmosphere. From 1990 to 2004 GHG emissions increased by 27% and GHG intensity (Mt/GDP) decreased by 14%.
• In terms of national benchmarking, Canada accounts for approximately 2% of global GHG emissions – the world’s 8^th largest emitter. Emissions growth in Canada has been higher than that of most other countries.

Energy Sector

• The energy system accounted for 82% of Canada's GHG emissions in 2004, of which energy production (fossil fuel industries and electricity generation) accounted for 46% and energy end use accounted for 54%. The energy system accounted for almost all the growth in GHG emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2004. Emissions growth is mainly the result of increased fossil fuel production, increased fossil fuel electricity generation, and increased energy consumption for road transport.
• Fossil fuel production accounted for 20% (155 Mt) of Canada’s total GHG emissions in 2004 and 30% of Canada’s total emissions growth between 1990 and 2004. Emissions growth is a result of a rise in overall oil and gas production largely for export to the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, a rise in the proportion of fuel that requires higher energy-intensity production (i.e. heavy oil and oil sands).
• Despite GHG-neutral sources providing 75% of electricity in Canada, electricity generation accounted for 17% of Canada’s total emissions in 2004 (largely from coal-fired generation) and 22% of Canada’s total emissions growth between 1990 and 2004. Rising GHG emissions between 1990 and 2004 are a result of two trends: overall increased electricity generation to meet growing domestic demand, particularly from coal, and, to a lesser extent, changes in the mix of generation sources towards a greater share from emitting sources, particularly from natural gas. Most of this shift towards emitting sources occurred in the mid- to late-1990s; since then the generation mix has been shifting slightly towards nuclear, hydro and emerging renewables.
• In 2004, secondary energy use (excluding electricity) in Canada accounted for 52% (388 Mt) of total emissions. Energy end uses include industrial use (including mining, manufacturing, and construction), transportation, residential and commercial/institutional use, and agriculture.

• The transportation sector (road transportation in particular) is the largest GHG emitter. Transportation accounted for 25% of Canada’s total emissions in 2004 and 26% of Canada’s total emissions growth between 1990 and 2004. Emissions growth reflects the trend towards increasing use of light trucks (i.e. SUVs, vans, and pickups) for personal transportation and heavy-duty trucks for freight transport.