Canada will miss greenhouse gas emissions targets

Emissions from coal-burning power plant (Credit: U.S. Department of Energy)

The Canadian environment ministry has reported that it will fall short of its goal for greenhouse gas emissions, according to Reuters.

In a report issued on Oct. 24, the environment ministry estimated that Canada will produce 734 megatonnes of greenhouse gases in 2020. The estimate tops one made last year, when the Canadian government set a 2020 emissions target of 720 megatonnes.

Despite the missed target, Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the new estimate still indicates progress, and that the number would be higher if not for proactive efforts on the government’s part.

Canada is currently awaiting U.S. approval of the Keystone pipeline, the development of which critics claim will only increase the already high emissions in the Alberta tar sands region.

Image: Emissions from coal-burning power plant (Credit: U.S. Department of Energy)