Ontario's Emission Reduction Plan Fails, Auditor General Demands Update
Ontario's government faces criticism over its emission reduction strategies, with the Auditor General Shelley Spence demanding an updated climate protection strategy. The government's projections rely on ended federal policies and unachieved organic waste reduction targets, and Ontario's environment ministry is set to miss its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is the central authority responsible for creating, revising, and implementing the climate protection strategy. However, the ministry disagrees with three of the auditor's four recommendations on emission reduction strategies. Ontario has seen a 22 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions since 2005, largely due to previous government actions and external factors. Despite this, the ministry did not communicate its January projection of failing to meet the 2030 target publicly. The government now projects a wider margin of missing the 3.5 megatonnes reduction target.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner has criticized the government's lack of a climate plan. The auditor general Shelley Spence has also criticized the government's downplaying of emission reduction failure. Additionally, car-friendly policies, such as gas tax cuts and toll removals, may increase gas-powered vehicle use and emissions.
The government is failing to meet legislated requirements to prepare and report on climate change plans. The Auditor General's Office and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario are pressing for improvements. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, along with other relevant ministries and the Premier's Office, must work together to update and effectively implement the climate protection strategy.
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