Canada Develops Legal Framework to Prioritize Net-Zero Implementation

This case study by the World Resources Institute describes Canada's development of a legal and governance framework to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, centered on the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.

• The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, passed in 2021, creates a legally binding process for the government to establish GHG emission reduction targets and the plans to meet them. This law led to the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (2022), which targets a 40 to 45% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
• To ensure accountability, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act mandates regular progress reports. The first was submitted in 2023, with subsequent reports due in 2025 and 2027. The 2025 report is specifically required to assess progress toward the 2030 target and define the next reduction target for the 2035 milestone year.
• The legal framework establishes a Net Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice on emission reduction plans, sectoral strategies, and targets. This body must incorporate Indigenous knowledge and the best available scientific information in its annual reports, to which Ministers must provide a public response within 120 days.
• Canada's strategy relies on carbon pricing as a primary tool for meeting the 2030 target. The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (2018) was upheld as valid by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2021 following a legal challenge.

APA

World Resources Institute (2024). Canada Develops Legal Framework to Prioritize Net-Zero Implementation. https://www.wri.org/update/canada-net-zero-governance-legal-framework

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Canada Develops Legal Framework to Prioritize Net-Zero Implementation. 2024. https://www.wri.org/update/canada-net-zero-governance-legal-framework.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Canada Develops Legal Framework to Prioritize Net-Zero Implementation |date=22 August 2024 |url=https://www.wri.org/update/canada-net-zero-governance-legal-framework |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2024canada, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Canada Develops Legal Framework to Prioritize Net-Zero Implementation}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://www.wri.org/update/canada-net-zero-governance-legal-framework}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }