Posted with permission from ESG Impact Zone.

Poised to achieve its first greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions target of one megatonne (MT) for the 2018 to 2022 period, the Manitoba government has set a new cumulative GHG emissions reduction goal of not less than 5.6 MT over the next five years, based on independent, scientific recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Council, Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein announced on February 15.

"The new goal is achievable. Manitoba is well positioned to build on its clean-energy grid and there are promising opportunities for economic development in the green economy," said Klein. "The steps Manitobans have taken so far and the tangible steps we will all take in the future will lead Manitoba to achieving the new reduction target. To prosper, we must continue to collaborate and innovate. The Manitoba government is doing this by introducing measures through Efficiency Manitoba and moving forward with its plan to adopt the latest 2020 National Model Building Codes."

In 2018, the Expert Advisory Council introduced a framework called the Carbon Savings Account (CSA) to provide a clear focus and pathway for governments, businesses, municipalities and communities to take action in reducing emissions in a meaningful, practical and measurable way, the minister noted.

This is the second five-year period of the CSA (2023 to 2027). Manitoba was the first jurisdiction in North America to establish an economy-wide carbon savings account. The latest data from the federal government shows the Manitoba government is on track to meet its initial goal of reducing GHG emissions by one MT, the minister said.

The minister noted that over the first CSA period, emission reductions were achieved through several avenues including the introduction of Efficiency Manitoba and its many programs, and the decommissioning of the Brandon 5 coal Generating Unit ahead of schedule.

The council's recommended 5.6-megatonne reduction target for 2023 to 2027 is equal to the emissions from 1.7 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles for one year.

"It has been our goal to establish a practical approach to carbon emissions reductions that ensure Manitoba emissions continuously decline over time," said Edward Onyebuchi, chair, Expert Advisory Council. "The Manitoba government has been a leader in accepting the advice of experts for real, achievable targets to help us move to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions."

To read the council's full report, visit: https://manitoba.ca/eac/.

Actions to reduce GHG emissions are identified in the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan. For more information on the plan, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/climateandgreenplan/index.html.