So far in 2025, wildfires have consumed a total area of 8.7 million hectares, over two and half times the size of Vancouver Island. Communities not typically known for wildfire activity, including in Atlantic Canada, now face record drought conditions and increasing fire risks.

“After yet another summer of terrible wildfires, extreme weather, and rising costs, Canadians would be right to expect their governments to take more action to fight climate change, not take their foot off the accelerator. Instead, the latest emissions data confirm that two decades of climate progress is in jeopardy without a policy reboot from governments right across the country. With emissions flatlining and important policies being scaled back, Canada’s 2030 target is now out of reach—and the longer we take to get back on track, the more Canadians will pay the price.” — Rick Smith, President, Canadian Climate

Damages from extreme weather events in 2024 shattered records for the costliest year in Canada, at more than $8.5 billion in insured losses.

QUICK FACTS Canada’s emissions in 2024 are estimated at 694 megatonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (Mt), or 8.5 per cent below 2005 levels. Oil and gas: Emissions rose 1.9 per cent from the previous year, driven by a 3.4 per cent increase in oil sands emissions. Transportation: Emissions dropped 0.7 per cent, continuing a modest downward trend from 2023. Buildings: Emissions declined 1.2 per cent, a slower pace than the previous year due to a colder winter. Heavy industry: Emissions fell 1.2 per cent, showing signs of decarbonization progress despite uneven results across sub-sectors. Electricity: Emissions dropped 1.9 per cent to 59 per cent below 2005 levels, reinforcing the importance of coordinated federal and provincial policy and technology improvements. Climate change makes wildfires bigger, hotter, and more frequent. So far in 2025, wildfires have consumed a total area of 8.7 million hectares, over two and half times the size of Vancouver Island. Communities not typically known for wildfire activity, including in Atlantic Canada, now face record drought conditions and increasing fire risks. Damages from extreme weather events in 2024 shattered records for the costliest year in Canada, at more than $8.5 billion in insured losses.

OTTAWA — Canada’s emissions progress flatlined in 2024, according to the latest Early Estimate of National Emissions (EENE) from 440 Megatonnes, a project of the Canadian Climate Institute.

Policy Setbacks Undermine Climate ActionRecent federal and provincial policy reversals have compounded the emissions challenge. Most significantly, the federal government eliminated the consumer carbon tax effective April 1, 2025, following a period of political pressure over cost-of-living concerns. The tax, which had been set to reach $170 per tonne by 2030, was completely zeroed out along with similar measures in provinces like British Columbia.climateinstitute+2 The Canadian Climate Institute warned that these policy setbacks, combined with delays to electric vehicle mandates and weakened industrial carbon pricing in several provinces, have undermined Canada's climate progress. The organization projects that current trends will deliver only 20 to 25 percent emissions reductions by 2030—far short of the required target.climateinstitute

Oil and Gas Sector Drives Emissions GrowthThe primary culprit behind the stalled progress was the oil and gas sector, which now accounts for 31 percent of Canada's total national emissions. Emissions from this sector rose 1.9 percent in 2024, driven by a 3.4 percent increase in oil sands production. This surge more than offset modest declines in other sectors including electricity, buildings, and heavy industry.ground+1 Dave Sawyer, principal economist at the Canadian Climate Institute, warned that achieving Canada's 2030 target would require emissions reductions of roughly 40 megatonnes per year—"well beyond current trends". "Rolling out the scale of emission reductions required to close that gap is massive," Sawyer said.

Canada's emissions stall as oil production drives climate backslideCanada's greenhouse gas emissions remained essentially flat in 2024 at 694 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, according to new analysis from the Canadian Climate Institute released this week. The stagnation represents a stark reversal from years of steady progress and puts the country's 2030 climate target firmly out of reach.