Summary

As of 2023, Canada is the 11th largest greenhouse gas emitting country in the world. The 2021 NDC presents a commitment of 40-45% emission reductions below 2005 levels by 203 and includes short-lived climate pollutants, such as black carbon, and phasing out ozone-depleting substances that are covered under the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Though it is one of the world’s only emissions reduction targets that is enshrined in law under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, the NDC fails to communicate a the necessary need to phase-out oil and gas exploration.

In April 2021, seven Canadian environmental organizations commissioned research into how Canada can achieve its fair share of emission reductions over the next decade. The report found that for Canada to meet its global share of emission reductions, Canada would have to achieve at least 60% reductions by 2030 (EnviroEconomics & Navius, 2021) and put policies in place to restrict the production and use of fossil fuels rather than rely on carbon pollution pricing and investing in clean technology alone.

Unique to Canada’s NDC, each province, territory, and Indigenous group had the opportunity to share their own emission targets, goals, and initiatives in a one-page inclusion of the 2021 NDC. This is a best practice that could be followed in other countries. Considering that Canada is warming at twice the rate of many other countries, it’s important Canada’s updated national and subnational NDC commitments reflect a more ambitious emissions reduction target coupled with adaptation metrics.

Canada’s NDC includes notable advancements in gender equality, justice, and involvement through multiple gender-based initiatives. This includes conducting a Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) analysis for each policy and program in the future to ensure there are key standards and practices for women to be included in the decision-making, evaluation, implementation, and monitoring of climate change policies and initiatives. There is also a claim for gender inclusion through advocating for internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) to ensure environmental integrity, gender equality, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. The NDC claims its intention to lead critical initiatives to foster diversity and inclusion in green transition and provides the example of the Equal by 30 Campaign to advance the participation of women in clean energy globally. The NDC further mentions briefly the 2021 Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People and the 2018 Canadian Gender Budgeting Act which provides slight insights into the intersectionality of women’s equity in relation to Indigenous peoples and economic rights. The NDC would have benefitted more by mentioning intersections between women with race and socioeconomic status, and how these points of intersectionality make these women more susceptible to climate change and its negative impacts, thus stating the importance of their involvement in climate change decisions and dialogues.

On youth inclusion, Canada’s NDC needs major improvements. The word “youth” itself is mentioned twice in the 42-page document, both times being identified in a list formation providing a very vague and non-committal approach to youth involvement. Thus, the needs of youth and future generations are not adequately acknowledged or considered in this NDC. This is despite the fact that the Indigenous annex included in the document contains the Métis perspective that we have a responsibility to protect lands, waters, and all living things for future generations.

On indigenous inclusion, Canada’s NDC marked a substantive improvement from its first submission. With Canada having one of the world’s largest Indigenous populations, it is increasingly important to respect Indigenous traditions and culture, as well as integrate them into decision-making that affects their lands and resources. Besides being mentioned numerous times throughout the document, Indigenous perspectives and inclusion were provided an entire annex which included more focused representation and acknowledgement of the three distinct Indigenous groups in Canada (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis).