Power sector reports 22 percent reduction in carbon emissions

CEA Emissions Reductions highlight clean energy progress in Canada, with over 80% non-emitting power, lower greenhouse gases, and utilities investing $13B in infrastructure, renewables, carbon capture, hydro, and efficient gas turbines ahead of COP21 Paris.

Recently, the Canadian Electricity Association CEA released its 2015 Sustainable Electricity Annual Report, titled “Delivering Value to Canadians”. The report highlights that CEA member companies achieved a 5.8 per cent reduction in GHG emissions in 2014, contributing to a significant 22 per cent reduction in carbon emissions over the last five years.

“I take great pride in CEA members’ actions to commit to sustainable power and reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to healthy Canadian communities”, said the Honourable Sergio Marchi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Electricity Association. “These achievements, combined with the fact that over 80 of Canada’s electricity is already generated from non-emitting sources, will strengthen Canada’s position at the upcoming Conference of Parties COP meeting in Paris later this year.”

Other air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and mercury emissions also fell by 4.3, 9.7, and 15.6, respectively as noted in the environmental report released by CEA, thanks to member utilities investments of approximately $13 billion in infrastructure renewal and modernization. The electricity sector is projected to achieve even further GHG and air emission reductions by 2020 as companies invest in carbon capture and sequestration, energy efficiency measures such as higher efficiency gas turbines, large-scale and run-of-river hydro, and other renewable energy sources.

“I have been working with CEA member utilities for nearly six years, and I can tell you that this sector is working tremendously hard to be innovative and deliver greater environmental, social and economic value to Canadians”, said the Honourable Mike Harcourt, Chair of the Public Advisory Panel of the CEA Sustainable Electricity program. “I encourage stakeholders, including governments and regulators, to partner with these utilities through ecoENERGY efficiency initiatives to make our communities even stronger and Canada a true clean energy superpower.”

CEA’s mandatory Sustainable Electricity program fosters continuous member improvement on sustainability performance. CEA members report on specific performance metrics and indicators annually, which are verified by an independent, external third-party.

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