Canada's emissions dropped slightly last year, with climate wins offset by oil and gas

Canada's greenhouse gas emissions dropped slightly last year, even as the economy and population grew, suggesting climate policies had their intended effect, a new analysis found.

In its annual emissions report, made public this morning, the Canadian Climate Institute said the country's emissions were cut by 0.8 per cent in 2023, to a total of 702 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Dave Sawyer, principal environmental economist with the policy research organization, said the findings show there has been "modest progress" toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and that "we see policy starting to work."

The most notable reductions were from the electricity sector — which shifted from emissions-intensive coal to other fuels, such as natural gas — and the building sector.

Those gai