Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the federal government itself have fallen more than 20% over the past two years and are already below target by 2025, the environment commissioner said.
In its audit report on Green Government Strategywho is now five years old, Jerry DeMarco points out, however, that Ottawa still does not consider its indirect releases, nor does it include Crown corporations in its reporting or planning.
Ang Green Government Strategy of Canada includes targets for reducing emissions from federally owned buildings and vehicles in its fleet.
Development reports in 2020-21 show that the federal government released approximately 1,938 million tons of GHG, down from 2,459 in 2018-19-a 21% decrease over two years.
This analysis includes a decrease, mainly due to the pandemic, in emissions from air travel by government employees: these emissions dropped from 252 kilotonnes in 2018-2019 to just 23 kilotonnes after two years, in 2020-21.
DeMarco said less than a third of departments with real estate or a fleet of at least 50 vehicles have an emission reduction plan.
The auditor urges the government to report more clearly on emissions, and include Crown corporations and indirect GHG emissions in its strategies.
Source: Radio-Canada
