Canada saw a drop in greenhouse gas emissions during the first year of the pandemic: report

Canada's greenhouse gas emissions declined for the second year in a row in 2020 — the first year of the pandemic, when many Canadians stayed at home in response to mandatory lockdowns to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Environment and Climate Change Canada submitted its 2020 National Inventory Report on emissions to the United Nations on Thursday. It shows total emissions in 2020 amounted to 672 megatonnes, down from 738 megatonnes in 2019.

The nation's 2019 numbers increased by 8 megatonnes to 738 megatonnes to account for changes in methodology. Reporting on emissions usually lags by several years and typically is released annually in April. 

The report shows total emissions dropped by 66 megatonnes in 2020, which is "equivalent to taking 20 million cars off the road," said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault in a media statement.

The report cautions that 2020 could be a temporary blip.

"This is the first report that tracks the impacts of the pandemic on emissions in Canada," Guilbeault said. "So we must be mindful that overall emissions are likely to rebound to a degree as Canada's economy roars back to life."

The federal government's plan is to reduce emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 

The report shows that Canada's economy can grow without increasing carbon emissions. The country's GDP grew 22 per cent between 2005 and 2020, but carbon emissions declined by 9.3 per cent over that period.

"This report confirms the continued decoupling taking place between Canada's economy and its emission performance," Guilbeault said in his statement.

"In other words, Canada is showing the world how we can do more while polluting less."

The report's breakdown of emissions by sector shows that the country's largest emitter, the oil and gas sector, saw its 2020 numbers fall from 203 to 179 megatonnes. Transportation — another high-emissions sector — saw its emissions decline from 185 megatonnes to 159 megatonnes.

Guilbeault said the reductions in the transportation sector were due "in large part" to Canadians avoiding flying and driving because of lockdowns, which in turn reduced the demand for oil and gas.

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Meanwhile, the agriculture sector's emissions increased from 67 megatonnes to 69 megatonnes in 2020.