Yesterday, Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, participated in the Canadian Climate Institute and the Net-Zero Advisory Body’s third annual pan-Canadian climate conference, “Building Momentum Toward Net Zero”, in Ottawa, Ontario.
During the conference, Minister Guilbeault provided an update on Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge. Since its launch last year, the response from the private sector has been robust. There are now over 130 participants from Canadian businesses spanning across many sectors of the economy, including energy, transportation, construction, and heavy industry, as well as information technology, retail, and more, who are all committed to net-zero emissions by 2050.
“By joining the Net-Zero Challenge, Canadian companies are significantly contributing to Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Minister Guilbeault. “The high level of interest in the program continues to grow, and we must maintain the momentum that has developed in making net-zero planning a default business practice.”
Recent additions to Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge include: Pomerleau Inc., Aéroports de Montréal, Colliers Project Leaders, Deloitte, WSP in Canada, and Canada Lands Company Limited, among others. Officially launched in August 2022, the Net-Zero Challenge is an initiative that encourages companies to develop and implement credible and effective plans to transition their facilities and operations to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Net-Zero Challenge is a unique made-in-Canada program. Businesses that join are supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada in their net-zero planning process through a variety of means, including technical guidance that draws on international and national guidance, protocols, and best practices.
In joining, participating companies build public and investor confidence in their net-zero plans, have access to a community of practice of their peers, receive public recognition of their commitments, and benefit from simple reporting requirements that align with a company’s existing reporting processes to minimize duplication. Companies can also now use participation in the Net-Zero Challenge to align with federal procurement and funding processes.
This includes the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Standard on the Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Setting of Reduction Targets, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Net Zero Accelerator initiative.
