Betting on renewables and farewell to coal — Canada's green turning point appears increasingly decisive. By 2025, the Canadian federal government will commit to using only energy from renewable sources in federal public buildings and military facilities, reducing the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. And that's not all: the country has given itself fifteen years to exit coal, with the aim of covering 90 per cent of energy demand with sustainable energy sources. The announcement was made by Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna.

Retrofitting to save energy

Not just renewable energy for federal buildings, but also energy saving and efficiency. The Canadian government has planned a series of renovations to public buildings with a view to curbing energy consumption — a way to use less energy and save taxpayers' money through lower bills. The works will cost the government 2.1 billion dollars and will bring new heating and cooling systems to more than 85 buildings in Ottawa, cutting their emissions by 45 per cent.

The federal government will also invest in reducing emissions from its own vehicle fleet, replacing outdated vehicles with electric and hybrid ones, and will install electric charging stations near government buildings. It will also push for further sustainability measures, encouraging remote working where possible to reduce commuting and curb CO2 emissions.

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An opportunity for green businesses

The goal of the Canadian plan will not only lead to emissions reductions, but will also be an opportunity for the country's economic development. "We are taking action on climate change by bringing renewables into our government's operations and we are doing our part to make further progress towards the goal of reducing Canada's emissions. We will do more as we develop our climate plan — a strategy that will create jobs for the benefit of Canadians," said the Environment Minister. And so "Canadian companies that provide green goods and services," McKenna continued, "will see new development opportunities and will lead growth in this sector."

"Energy is not just oil and gas," said Canadian federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna

The government must lead by example

Clean energy is also, for Canada, a "matter of leadership. We cannot tell provinces, territories, municipalities and Canadian citizens that we all need to do our part. We need to lead by example," said Minister McKenna. Her colleague Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, shares this view: "The government must do its part to respond to the challenges of climate change in order to hand the next generations a prosperous, sustainable economy and a strong middle class."

A carbon price to reduce emissions

The measures presented by the Environment Minister are part of a broader strategy launched by the government to promote sustainable development in the country. Last September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided to impose a price on carbon in order to push provinces that do not act independently to regulate their own polluting emissions. The measure will come into effect from 2018 and, in the first year, the minimum price will be 10 dollars per tonne, rising by 10 dollars each year to reach 50 dollars per tonne by 2022. A measure that will not only allow Canada to reduce its emissions but which the Canadian government also considers beneficial — once again — for the economy: a stimulus to innovation and a driver for creating well-paid jobs, as if to say that the country's growth cannot do without clean energy.

The shadows of Canadian energy policy: fossil fuel subsidies

As happens in many countries, behind grand proclamations lie more uncomfortable realities, and when it comes to energy this often means fossil fuel subsidies.

According to an announcement by Climate Action Network Canada, the Trudeau government allocates 3.3 billion dollars per year in government subsidies to oil and gas producers. The subsidies, according to the study, translate into incentives for extraction and research and development activities, equivalent to paying polluters 19 dollars for every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. A policy at odds with the established carbon price of 50 dollars per tonne by 2022.

"This system is like taxing consumers when they buy cigarettes while giving huge tax breaks to tobacco companies, encouraging them to produce more cigarettes. It makes no sense," said Alex Doukas of Oil Change International.

The G20 countries, including Canada, had decided in 2009 to gradually phase out fossil fuel subsidies. To date, according to the International Monetary Fund, oil, gas and coal receive subsidies worldwide totalling 5.3 trillion dollars per year, equivalent to 10,000 dollars per minute, every day.

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