OTTAWA — The Canadian government plans to update its greenhouse gas emissions targets for 2030 and 2035, reflecting the current economic landscape. This announcement comes from the office of Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin.

Keean Nembhard, a spokesperson for Dabrusin, stated, "Taking into account the evolving global and economic context, the federal government will provide an update on its emissions reductions plan as we strive towards our 2030 and 2035 targets." However, Nembhard did not specify when this update would be released.

The announcement follows a weekend interview where Industry Minister Melanie Joly avoided questions about the emissions targets, indicating it was a matter for Dabrusin to address. Prime Minister Mark Carney also refrained from commenting on potential changes to the targets during a jobs announcement in Newfoundland. He emphasized, "Our focus in this very rapidly changing global economy is on what we call climate competitiveness." Carney mentioned that more details on the climate strategy would be provided in the coming weeks.

In April 2021, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set a target to reduce emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. A subsequent target of 45 to 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2035 was announced in December 2024 and submitted to the United Nations in February. These targets are part of Canada's commitment under the Paris Agreement, which aims to reflect the country's highest possible ambition based on its current circumstances.

Countries that fail to meet their announced targets face potential repercussions under the agreement. Additionally, these emissions targets are codified in Canadian law through the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.

A government forecast from early 2025 estimated that emissions would be 22 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, which is just over halfway to the target. The recent cancellation of the consumer carbon tax in March may have further hindered Canada's progress toward these goals.

Dabrusin's office reiterated Canada's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. A spokesperson from the Prime Minister's office stated they had no further comments beyond Dabrusin's announcement.