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A Canadian Energy [R]evolution

Feature story - May 10, 2009
Greenpeace released the Energy [R]evolution report in May 2009. It shows how Canada can make significant reductions in its greenhouse gas emissions and become a world leader in the fight against global warming.
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Energy [R]evolution 2009

The document was sponsored by Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), with modeling done by the German Aerospace Agency.

By 2007, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions had increased by 34 per cent above Canada's Kyoto target. Canada's efforts at reducing its greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels lag far behind other industrial nations.

The Greenpeace report shows how greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced 45 per cent below the 1990 level by 2020 - far better than the Harper government target of 3 per cent below 1990.

Key highlights of the Canada Energy [R]evolution scenario:

  1. Efficiency measures in the electricity sector would save Canadians $5.9 billion in 2020;
  2. Greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced 45 per cent by 2020 and 82 per cent by 2050;
  3. Emissions would drop from 509 million tonnes in 2005 to 291 million tonnes in 2020 and 86 million tonnes in 2050;
  4. Annual per capita emissions would drop from 16 tonnes in 2005 to eight tonnes in 2020, and two tonnes in 2050;
  5. Reductions can be achieved using currently available technology, while phasing out coal and nuclear power, and not using Carbon Capture and Storage;
  6. Canada would have to fully exploit its huge potential for energy efficiency and reduce primary energy demand 50 per cent by 2050;
  7. The total share of fossil fuels in Canada's primary energy demand would fall from 76 per cent in 2005 to 42 per cent in 2050;
  8. The total share of renewable energy in final energy demand would increase from 17 per cent in 2005 to 71 per cent in 2050;
  9. Increased use of combined heat and power (CHP) would improve the overall efficiency and help to eradicate energy waste;
  10. More than 80 per cent of electricity would be produced from renewable energy sources by 2020, more than 90 per cent by 2050;
  11. Biomass, solar collectors and geothermal energy would increasingly replace conventional systems for direct heating and cooling; and
  12. Aggressive efficiency improvements would be made in the transport sector, with electric vehicles playing an increasingly important role from 2020 onwards. This would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector over 75 per cent by 2050.

Recommended policy measures to implement the Canada Energy [R]evolution scenario:

  • Phase out all subsidies for fossil fuels and nuclear power.
  • Account for the social and environmental costs of energy production through "cap and trade" emissions trading and/or carbon taxation.
  • Mandate strict efficiency standards for all energy-consuming appliances, buildings and vehicles.
  • Establish legally binding targets for renewable energy and combined heat and power generation.
  • Reform the electricity markets by guaranteeing priority access to the grid for renewable power generators.
  • Provide defined and stable returns for investors, for example by feed-in tariff programs.
  • Implement better labeling and disclosure mechanisms to provide more environmental product information..
  • Increase research and development budgets for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

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