New report: Increased natural gas use in GTHA is driving emissions up, pushing back climate goals

A new report from the Atmospheric Fund shows that the Toronto-Hamilton region and surrounding cities will see a 1 per cent increase in carbon emissions in 2024, a slower pace than in previous years but still far from the path needed to meet 2030 targets.

Rising emissions in the electricity sector

According to the report, carbon emissions from the electricity sector have increased by 28 per cent, while demand for electricity has grown by just 2 per cent. The main reason for this is Ontario’s increasing reliance on natural gas for its electricity grid, which is expected to increase in the coming years.

Top polluting sectors: buildings, transportation and industry

Buildings and transportation remain the largest sources of emissions in most GTHAs.

In Hamilton, the steel industry is responsible for the largest share of carbon emissions.

Population growth, per capita emissions decline

Despite the region’s population adding about 300,000 people, per capita carbon emissions have fallen by 3 per cent, a positive sign of the impact of climate action such as building renovations and the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations.

The report also notes Toronto’s new milestone of adding 100 electric buses to its transit fleet.

Ontario’s energy grid mix

Last year, only 16 per cent of Ontario’s electricity was generated from natural gas, and 84 per cent of the grid was carbon-free.

That’s down from the previous year (87 per cent) and from 2017 (96 per cent).

Experts and government disagree

Environmentalists say the increase in natural gas consumption is due to the government’s failure to develop renewable energy and energy storage.

But the Ontario government says the current increase is due to the rehabilitation of nuclear power plants and is sticking to its plan to have a “nearly clean” grid by 2050.

Source: ctvnews.ca