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One of the biggest challenges facing Canada today is our nation’s ability to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, also known as ‘Net Zero 2050’. Before diving deeper, let’s get on the same page on a few basics.
- What is Net Zero?Net Zero, or Net-Zero Emissions, is an environmental goal to combat the rising climate crisis. Net Zero is short for an equation of greenhouse gases (GHG), most is carbon dioxide.
GHG emitted – (GHG removed + GHG avoided) = 0
When the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere equals the amount removed and avoided, we will have reached the ‘net-zero emissions’ target.
- Why does it matter?
Sweating heat waves lately? Torrential rains dampening cottage weekends? Wildfires getting close to home? Intense tornadoes ripping off suburban roofs? What about the rising prices of home insurance due to extreme weather? Across the country, Canadians are experiencing negative effects of unpredictable weather. The stakes are high.
To slow down the rate of drastic change in our shared climate, reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a huge part of the equation.
- What to do about it?There are two ways to get to Net Zero. The first is by reducing our GHG emissions to zero. The second is carbon-offsetting.
These two tactics must work in unison, as only by offsetting and reducing our emissions simultaneously will we be able to realistically meet our 2050 goal.
This will require a combination of individual efforts, like using cleaner transportation fuels.
As well as encouraging policymakers to implement policies that would enforce the elimination or offsetting of GHG emissions.
- Any good news here?Yes! The good news is… we are closer than some may think. And together, we can accelerate the progress.
And there is great news, too. Canada’s history is full of problem-solvers turning challenges into new economic opportunities.
In this fight to protect Canada, many industrious pioneers, innovators, and entrepreneurs have begun their work decades ago to cut down carbon dioxide, and their progress is accelerating.
Read on and see how.
Canada’s ambitious goal of Net Zero 2050 is achievable with a range of carbon-lowering, carbon-offsetting, and carbon-capturing solutions, and a mix of clean energy sources.
Biofuel, hydro, wind, geothermal, solar and nuclear power together represent Canada’s strong team of clean, renewable energy sources. Because no single source alone can do it all, we’re all working together on the path towards Net Zero 2050, while enabling Canadians to live, drive, and thrive
of Canada’s carbon emissions comes from transportation (cars, trucks, and planes)
Oil, gas, and transportation account for the majority of Canada’s carbon emissions, adding up to
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Keeping Canadians on the move while cutting down the massive amount of carbon emissions is a reality ― with a number of clean, renewable biofuels available in Canada. Biofuel technology is advancing to continually lower carbon emission levels for vehicles, commercial trucks, and airplanes.
Not your grandpa’s biodiesel, the new generations of biofuels are significantly reducing transportation emissions, while enabling Canadians to keep driving, flying, and getting goods delivered to their doors. This means Canadians can cut down our carbon output without sacrificing our way of life.
Annual reduction of GHG emissions from the current biofuels usage in Canada
The number of cars we’d need to remove from Canada’s road to match the annual reduction of GHG emissions from current biofuels
Ethanol’s reduction of GHG emissions in comparison to fossil fuels
Biodiesel’s reduction of GHG emissions in comparison to petroleum diesel
A frequently asked question: “Can I really continue driving my car and still be part of the environmental solution?” Yes! By choosing blended biofuels at the pump, your vehicle will emit far less carbon, without modifying your engine. You can also encourage your local government representatives to improve transportation policies to meet the “Clean Fuel Standard”, mandating an increase in biofuels available to Canadians at the pumps.
How we drive, fly, and transport goods will inevitably change in the future. In the meantime, Canadian ingenuity continues to invent, advance, and produce cleaner and cleaner biofuels to drive Canada closer and closer to Net Zero.
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See the role each type of biofuel plays in our everyday lives and how they can help bring Canada to Net-Zero emissions.
Non-carbon-intensive fuels
- Low-carbon fuelsOften defined as fuels that offer at least a 45% reduction in emissions. Many low-carbon fuels can be improved – with the right policy – so that they attain net-zero, or provide a net benefit to the environment.target.
- Net-zero fuelsMeaning when you account for all polluting elements of fuel use and production, they are entirely cancelled out by another process that improves our environment. For example, when you grow a plant to make biofuels, that plant cleans our air.
- Fuels with net benefitIn producing and using these fuels, the positive parts of the production process more than outweigh any negatives. In other words, these fuels reduce emissions by over 100% compared to conventional fuels.
Types of biofuels & biogas
- EthanolEthanol fuel is ethyl alcohol. It is most often used as a motor fuel as a biofuel additive for gasoline.
- Biomass-based DieselBiodiesel is made from used cooking oils, unused fats and seeds. Biodiesel can reduce GHG emissions by as much as 122% compared to petroleum diesel.
- Sustainable Aviation FuelSAF is a clean substitute for fossil jet fuels, made from used cooking oil, municipal waste and biomass. It has the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80%, compared with conventional aviation fuel.
- Green HydrogenGreen hydrogen is hydrogen fuel created using renewable energy to power electrolysis of water. It has the potential to provide clean power, with its only byproduct being water.
- Renewable Natural GasRenewable Natural Gas comes from organic waste like compost, manure, and wood waste. When they decompose, biogas is released which is then captured and purified.
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Thanks to Canadian ingenuity of biofuel innovators like Don O’Connor, Canada has successfully developed the recipes to achieve zero carbon-intensity for each of the biofuels & biogas listed above. What’s next is to invest in turning these recipes into reality sooner.
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Canada’s Clean Fuels Standard, along with its net-zero emissions goal, shows that the most effective climate policies are, at their core, investment policies.
Continued investments into research and development, backed by proactive policies, will empower Canada to be a world-leader of renewable energy sources, ones that take out more carbon from the atmosphere than putting in.
Advancements in biofuel technology is one of the key pieces of Canada’s environmental puzzle, as we aim for zero-emissions by 2050.
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Whether you are in the position to design or influence policy, or you are making daily lifestyle choices, seeking to be better informed leads to making better decisions ― for yourself, your family, your community, and your country.
We have all had exposure to accounting in the financial sense of how much we spend and save versus earn. Yet, many Canadians have never faced accounting for how much carbon we create and use versus save.
How much carbon are we using? How much carbon are we saving? What choices are better at reducing carbon usage? Find out yourself using Lifecycle carbon accounting tools.
When we understand where we are currently, we can make better choices for today, and for the future.
To net-zero and beyond!
About RICanada
Founded in 1984, Renewable Industries Canada (RICanada) is a non-profit organization representing clean, renewable fuels. We are the domestic biofuel industry’s leading voice in raising consumer awareness and public policy building.
Learn about our mission