Canada’s emissions plummet during first year of COVID-19 pandemic

Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions plummeted to their lowest level in almost three decades in 2020 as pandemic restrictions kept cars off the road and left airplanes grounded on tarmacs.

The latest national inventory report published today shows Canada’s emissions fell almost nine per cent in 2020 to 672 million tonnes, largely because Canadians drove and flew far less than they usually do.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the drop of 66 million tonnes is equivalent to taking 20 million cars off the road.

But he warns the 2021 emissions will surely rebound as pandemic restrictions loosened and economic activity was restored closer to normal levels.

The report also reflects new science showing a more accurate way to count methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.

The change means Canada emitted millions of tonnes more in recent years than we previously thought but Guilbeault says the planned projects to cut methane emissions are still on track to meet their goals.