Quebec claims to have identified 67% of the measures to achieve its GHGs reduction target

Quebec government would have identified and financed 67% of the measures to achieve the objective of 37.5% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, according to the 2024-2029 Implementation Plan. This plan includes, for the first time, a section on energy efficiency and sobriety. Government officials presented the fourth update of the Green Economy Plan 2030, with a record financial framework of more than $10 billion for five years.

The plan update includes:

- $4.0 billion to reduce GHGs emissions in the transportation sector;

- More than $2 billion to maintain and develop the public transportation offering and its electrification, and to support active transportation;

- $1.5 billion to support the electrification acceleration of light vehicles;

- $1.7 billion to support the industries decarbonization and $1.5 billion to make buildings more sustainable;

- $1 billion for reducing GHGs emissions by using renewable energies other than electricity.

In terms of budget, it is a 40% increase, compared to the first version, which was presented in 2020. The Implementation Plan “provides measures fully defined and funded this year, which will allow us to achieve 67% of our GHGs emissions reduction target, marking an increase of seven percentage points, compared to the previous edition.  However, there is still a long way to go before reaching the target since Quebec has reduced its GHGs by 9% since the 1990 reference year, while the objective for 2030 is a 37.5% reduction.

The plan includes, for the first time, a component on energy efficiency and sobriety, with a budget of nearly $900 million for the next five years. According to the government's definition, energy sobriety is to be able to reduce energy demand by "a reduction in needs at the source" and it "consists in reviewing our consumption habits to prioritize essential needs, moving away from those which would be superfluous.

The plan emphasizes that existing government programs and measures alone represent more than $786 million of these investments, and cites the ÉcoPerformance, Éconologis and Rénoclimat programs, as examples. In addition, more than $15 million will be invested to improve the energy productivity in large industries and the government will set an example and reduce, starting next year, heating and air conditioning in its buildings with the collaboration of the Quebec Infrastructure Society.

The Quebec government's initiatives are increasing to maximize the fight against greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation.  Let’s hope that our province continues to do everything possible to achieve our objectives for a greener Quebec.

Source: Stéphane Blais, The Canadian Press

Photo: Jacques Nadeau, Le Devoir Archives