REACHING NET-ZERO EMISSIONS BEFORE 2050

FROM CNLA’S CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION COMMITTEE

CANADA HAS JOINED a growing list of countries, including Japan, France, and the United Kingdom, in pledging to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The federal government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas pollution by 40 to 45 percent by 2030 on the path to net zero emissions by 2050. While the federal government is critical in setting the pace, we cannot get to net zero without leadership from industry and corporations.

Achieving net zero emissions requires shifting to technologies and energy systems that do not produce greenhouse gas emissions while removing any remaining emissions from the atmosphere and storing them permanently. Put simply, Canada would need to take as many emissions out of the atmosphere as it puts in rather than leaving them to contribute to climate change.

Canada is the fastest-growing country in the G7 group and is expected to increase to 55.2 million in 2068. Eighty-two percent of Canadians currently live in large municipalities and cities, and this growing trend shows that more people will live in Canada’s major cities. This dense concentration of people, government, business, infrastructure, and economic resources makes cities more vulnerable to the growing risks of climate change.

Transforming to a net-zero emissions economy requires coordinated action across all sectors of the economy supported by enabling policy frameworks. Some emissions from sectors that provide things industrial societies need are very hard to eliminate, such as the production of cement, steel, fertilizer and food via agriculture. These are areas where it’s tough to get to zero with current and even foreseeable technologies.

There is no path to net-zero emissions that does not involve nature-based climate solutions. Urban forests- can include any trees or plants growing in and around a town or city- are a natural climate solution that removes and stores carbon from the atmosphere while providing other benefits. Urban forests offer tools to help our cities cope with climate change impacts. They absorb and retain water during extreme precipitation events limiting flood risk. They cool ambient air and create shade limiting urban heat impacts. Mature trees and

Growers Canada

Jamie Aalbers Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www cnla.ca

shrubs protect against soil loss and landslides. The idea is not only to cut emissions as much as possible (e.g. by electrifying power generation and transport) but to integrate nature-based climate solutions into the equation. Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C is only possible with public policy and corporate strategy informed by a carbon budget. As with any other budget, it helps measure progress and lets you know exactly where you stand relative to your goal.

Landscape Canada

www cnla.ca

We’ll get to net-zero when we achieve a global balance between emissions produced by humans and emissions taken out of the atmosphere. How we get there is more important than the final destination.

Climate Change

Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www cnla.ca

GOVERNMENT & HR

Wacker Neuson battery-powered rammers and plates are real game changers. These innovative products are an excellent solution for indoor applications and job sites with noise and emission guidelines. For greater efficiency and cost savings, the same battery system is designed to power the full line of battery-powered compaction.

To find a dealer near you, visit www.wackerneuson.com