Time is running out for Quebec to reach its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal by 2030. The government will need to drastically strengthen its measures to get closer to it, especially by covering the vehicle fleet and reducing of single use vehicle.
The measures implemented by Quebec certainly allow for a gradual reduction in emissions, but they remain mainly not enough to expect for a reduction of 37.5% below 1990 levels by 2030, according to a report by the Institut de l’énergie Trottier (IET) at Polytechnique Montréal.
And even if the government decides to give more bite to the actions already in place, it would do best to lower its total emissions by 25 to 30% over eight years, less than its target.
” Disrespect for our targets has become commonplace. However, this is a legal obligation. But what are the consequences of our failures? “
Measures currently being taken will also not achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, but there is still room to reverse this trend, according to the report’s authors.
Since 2015, none of the major sectors of the economy – transportation, industry, construction, agriculture, waste, and electricity – have shown downward structural trend in terms of GHG emissions, the researchers note.
Although some sectors of the economy have reduced their GHG emissions since 1990, these reductions usually occurred in short periods, and were followed by plateaus or increases […] especially in the transportation sectorunderline researcher Simon Langlois-Bertrand and the report’s scientific director, Normand Mousseau.
Avoid using a single drive
According to the report’s authors, the solution lies in particular in more aggressive measures to reduce single driving and counter the continued increase in the fleet of light vehicles.
Growing for more than 30 years, the transportation sector is the largest GHG emitter in the province. In 2019, it reached 44% of greenhouse gas emissions. Its potential contribution to the reduction goal for 2030, however, is very limited, especially since the number of vehicles on Quebec’s roads is rising twice as fast as the population.
Newly registered vehicles still run high on fuel, researchers say.
By the spring of 2022, approximately 140,000 electric vehicles will be circulating in Quebec. However, if we want to curb the growth in the number of vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, we need to sell 100,000 electric vehicles per year, or five times the sales by 2021, according to the Trottier Energy Institute.
Therefore, the government should accelerate the deployment of active transportation infrastructure and improve the quality of currently active transportation services.
To expedite the transition, the EIT argues that a bonus-malus should be introduced aimed at increasing the adoption of electric vehicles and discourage the purchase of high-emission vehicles. Such a program will give a bonus to the buyer of a new vehicle that consumes less than he previously owned. Conversely, an additional amount will be levied on the purchase of a large gas-guzzling vehicle.
The report’s authors also stressed the importance of acceleration the removal of regulatory barriers to the deployment of electric vehiclesfor example by facilitating the installation of electrical terminals for residents of apartment buildings.
Among the series of proposals listed in their report, the researchers also suggest banning fossil fuel heating from next year for new buildings and for existing buildings that change sources. of energy.
Countries heading towards their climate goals, such as the UK, Sweden and others, do not primarily rely on a powerful movement of citizens, but on a ruling class that assumes its responsibilities.they remembered.
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
