Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has acknowledged that the country will not meet its greenhouse‑gas emissions‑reduction targets for 2030 and 2035. In an interview with Radio‑Canada, Carney said current policies are insufficient to achieve the goals set by the previous government under Justin Trudeau. Those targets called for a 40‑45 % reduction in total carbon emissions below 2005 levels by 2030 and a net‑zero power grid by 2035. The federal government established these objectives in 2021 to mitigate climate change.
However, the latest figures show that Canada’s carbon emissions fell by only 8.5 % between 2005 and 2023. The Canadian Climate Institute warns that emissions could begin rising again under the new government’s policies. Since taking office in March 2025, Carney’s administration has scrapped several environmental measures, including the individual carbon tax and an emissions cap for the oil and gas sector. Instead, the government has announced plans to make Canada an “energy superpower” through major investments in the energy sector, which Carney believes will reduce emissions over the longer term.
Globally, Canada ranks among the countries with the highest greenhouse‑gas emissions per capita. Failure to meet its climate targets could damage its international reputation and undermine its commitments to reducing emissions. Recently, the federal government reached an agreement with the oil‑producing province of Alberta, prompting the resignation of former environment minister Steven Guilbeault. The missed targets and policy shifts have raised concerns about Canada’s dedication to addressing climate change. Critics argue that prioritizing energy production over emissions reduction represents a step backward in the fight against global warming. As Canada continues to develop its energy sector, it remains to be seen how the government will balance economic goals with environmental obligations.
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