Ontarios proposed clean energy credits are hot air

The Canadian Climate Institute criticizes Ontario's proposed clean energy credit system, asserting it allows companies to claim 100 per cent clean electricity while others still report based on the average grid intensity, leading to double-counting. The author contends that such credits do not result in actual emission reductions, especially as Ontario plans to add 1,500 megawatts of natural gas-fired capacity to replace the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.

• The proposed clean energy credit system in Ontario would lead to double-counting of clean power because companies opting into the program would claim 100 per cent clean electricity, while those not opting in would still report Scope 2 emissions based on the average carbon intensity of the grid.
• The author characterizes the credit system as greenwashing because it reduces emissions on paper without changing the actual electricity system, noting that Ontario Power Generation has already been selling similar credits since 2013.
• Ontario's electricity grid is expected to become more carbon-intensive in the coming decade due to the development of 1,500 megawatts of new natural gas-fired capacity intended to replace the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
• The document suggests that Ontario could instead look to Alberta's use of reverse auctions and power purchase agreements as more effective ways to leverage corporate support for clean electricity.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2023). Ontarios proposed clean energy credits are hot air. https://climateinstitute.ca/ontarios-proposed-clean-energy-credits-are-hot-air/

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. Ontarios proposed clean energy credits are hot air. 2023. https://climateinstitute.ca/ontarios-proposed-clean-energy-credits-are-hot-air/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=Ontarios proposed clean energy credits are hot air |date=10 January 2023 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/ontarios-proposed-clean-energy-credits-are-hot-air/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianclimateinstitute2023ontarios, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{Ontarios proposed clean energy credits are hot air}}, publisher = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/ontarios-proposed-clean-energy-credits-are-hot-air/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }