OTTAWA/TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE — Ecojustice and Environmental Defence have uncovered that greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s exported oil, gas, and coal ballooned to record levels in 2023. This information was discovered following a petition to Environment and Climate Change Canada for data on the country’s downstream emissions. This data, which was not previously publicly available, shows that despite Canada’s commitments to reducing emissions at home, exported emissions have risen a shocking 58 per cent from 2012 to 2023.  

The data show a stark contrast between Canada’s rhetoric as a climate leader and its record. In 2023 for the first time, CO2 emissions produced from Canada’s fossil fuel exports surpassed a billion tonnes, at 1,030 million tonnes, significantly eclipsing the country’s domestic emissions estimate of 702 million tonnes for the same year. These numbers continue to rise as Canada is exporting record-breaking volumes of oil and millions of tonnes of thermal coal through its ports to be burned abroad each year — with concerns that they will continue to rise as governments in Canada approve new fossil fuel projects at home (including new LNG projects in British Columbia).  

The new downstream emissions data comes to light almost exactly a year after Canada stood on the world stage at COP28, the largest international gathering on climate issues, and proclaimed its commitment to capping emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels. Now, one year later, as Canada again joins the rest of the world at COP29, these new numbers demonstrate a dangerous continued trend of fossil fuel growth.  

Since 2012, Canada’s annual exported emissions have increased a whopping 378 million tonnes. This boom in exported emissions counteracts recent hard-won progress at home, where domestic emissions in 2023 were only 42 million tonnes lower than in 2012.  

The federal government’s long-awaited draft regulations to cap pollution from oil and gas companies are a welcome step, given that the oil and gas industry is the largest source of domestic greenhouse gas emissions, and those emissions continue to rise year after year. However, this new data demonstrates the need for all levels of government to do their part to tackle emissions caused by Canada’s production and export of fossil fuels.  

According to the International Energy Agency, achieving global net zero emissions by 2050 requires a rapid shift away from fossil fuels and no investments in new fossil fuel supply projects. 

While Canada is not required to report exported emissions under the Paris Agreement, there are increasing calls on the federal government to account for them — emphasizing that, when Canada ships emissions abroad, they don’t stay away. Rather, the effects of these emissions return to Canada in the form of rising temperatures and extreme weather events, including deadly heatwaves, flooding, and more frequent and severe wildfires.  

If Canada is truly committed to climate leadership — and to meeting its climate goals — it must account for exported emissions in its climate policies, rapidly phase out fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy alternatives, and collaborate with other nations to transition away from fossil fuels and address the climate crisis globally. 

Representatives from the groups shared the following: 

Reid Gomme, Staff Lawyer at Ecojustice said:
“Canada’s emissions are not confined within our borders – nor are their impacts. They come back to haunt us in the form of climate catastrophes, extreme weather events, rising costs of living, and dangerous health consequences. The rise in exported emissions diminishes Canada’s credibility as a climate leader and ignores our responsibility to align our actions with a climate-safe future. To be a true leader on the world stage, we must own and address our entire emissions profile — both domestic and exported.” 

Julia Levin, Associate Director, National Climate at Environmental Defence said:
“Fossil fuels are causing unnatural climate disasters that are impacting communities across Canada and around the planet. Last year at COP28, countries, including Canada, finally agreed to transition to renewable energy systems. Yet Canada’s oil and gas production and exports continue to grow. The result is skyrocketing pollution levels that will fuel further disasters. Words need to turn into action, and governments in Canada must get serious about moving off of fossil fuels.” 

About 

Ecojustice uses the power of the law to defend nature, combat climate change and fight for a healthy environment. Its strategic, public interest lawsuits and advocacy lead to precedent-setting court decisions, law and policy that deliver lasting solutions to Canada’s most urgent environmental problems. As Canada’s largest environmental law charity, Ecojustice operates offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. 

Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities. 

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For media inquiries:

Cari Siebrits, Communications Strategist | Ecojustice csiebrits@ecojustice.ca
 

Alex Ross, Communications Manager | Environmental Defence Canada media@environmentaldefence.ca