Prime Minister Mark Carney concedes Canada will not meet its 2030 and 2035 emissions reduction goals, citing current policy shortcomings.
MONTREAL: Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged Canada will fail to meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets for 2030 and 2035.
In an interview with Radio-Canada, Carney stated current policies are insufficient to achieve the nation’s climate goals.
“What’s clear is that Canada is not going to reach our 2030 and 2035 climate targets with current policy,” Carney told the state broadcaster.
The 2030 target, set under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, aimed to cut emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels.
Another key goal was establishing a net-zero power grid by 2035.
Carney, who took office in March 2025, emphasised the need for policy changes.
Canada’s emissions fell by 8.5% between 2005 and 2023, according to the latest data.
The Canadian Climate Institute warned earlier this year that emissions could rebound due to new government policies.
Since taking power, Carney’s government has scrapped several environmental measures.
These include a carbon tax for individuals and an emissions cap for the oil and gas sector.
His minority government has announced major projects to position Canada as an “energy superpower.”
Carney argued that significant energy sector investments would reduce emissions in the long term.
Canada remains one of the world’s highest per capita greenhouse gas emitters.
The federal government recently reached an agreement with the oil-producing province of Alberta.
That deal prompted the resignation of Steven Guilbeault from Carney’s cabinet.
Guilbeault previously served as environment minister under Trudeau.
He lamented that the climate plan he helped develop was being “dismantled.” – AFP
