Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has only 6 growing seasons to achieve its 2030 emission reduction targets

Ottawa, 30 April 2024—A report released today by Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Jerry V. DeMarco concludes that Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada had not developed a strategy for how the agriculture sector would contribute to Canada’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas mitigation and sequestration goals, as was first called for in 2020. Between 1990 and 2021, the agriculture sector’s greenhouse gas emissions grew by 39%, mostly driven by an increase in emissions related to crop production.

In 2021, Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada launched 3 key programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; however, the department’s delays in funding approvals resulted in recipients missing a growing season. In addition, the department had not yet set or finalized performance targets for 2 of the 3 programs. The department has so far achieved less than 2% of its 2030 overall greenhouse gas reduction target.

“Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada’s contributions to reduce emissions under these 3 programs are integral to the fight against climate change, which is why setting targets and tracking results are so important,” said Mr. DeMarco.

Without a strategy to provide the agriculture sector with a long‑term vision and direction, the department’s path to help achieve Canada’s 2030 and 2050 goals remains unclear.

“Given the current climate crisis and limited results thus far, Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada will need to ensure that all its expected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for 2030 take place in the 6 growing seasons that remain,” said Mr. DeMarco.