For the first time since the pandemic, Canada had a year-over-year decline in its greenhouse gas emissions 香蕉视频直播� though it is still a long way off its 2030 target.

A preliminary emissions report Thursday from the federal government shows greenhouse gases emitted in 2023 fell by six million tonnes compared to 2022, the equivalent to what about 1.4 million passenger vehicles emit over the course of a year.

Under the Paris climate agreement, Canada committed to reducing its emissions by 2030 to 40 to 45 per cent less than what they were in 2005.

The latest figures show as of 2023 they were down 8.5 per cent.

In an unusual move, the government released an early summary of its national inventory report today amid growing criticism on its climate record.

The report is a snapshot of a country香蕉视频直播檚 annual greenhouse gas emissions which Canada normally publishes in April when it has to submit it to the United Nations.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said the report confirms the government香蕉视频直播檚 plan is working.

香蕉视频直播淭hanks to the work of Canadians from every region of this country, we are succeeding in cutting pollution to the lowest level in over 27 years (excluding pandemic years), while our economy is growing,香蕉视频直播� Guilbeault said in a news release.

香蕉视频直播淲e are doing that by supporting the industries that are creating jobs for Canadians, alongside measures that help Canadians with cost-savings in their daily lives.香蕉视频直播�

The report shows emissions in 2023 fell to 694 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent 香蕉视频直播� the same levels as they were in 2021 when much of the country was still under COVID-19 restrictions.

The report revised previous year香蕉视频直播檚 numbers, a normal process that happens as science finds more accurate ways to measure pollution. With those revisions, Canada香蕉视频直播檚 new 2030 target is to have emissions be no more than 455 million tonnes to reach its 2030 target.

香蕉视频直播淭he carbon pricing has been working to slightly cut into emissions,香蕉视频直播� Green party Leader Elizabeth May told The Canadian Press.

香蕉视频直播淪o this is the first time we can actually track that a policy instrument is actually reducing emissions. But it香蕉视频直播檚 so far off what香蕉视频直播檚 required that, while encouraging, it香蕉视频直播檚 far short of what香蕉视频直播檚 necessary.香蕉视频直播�

The report showed a small increase in emissions in 2023 from transportation sources, offset by decreases in the oil and gas sector, agriculture and emissions from buildings.

A report last month from federal Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco said Canada is still not on track to meet its commitments under the Paris climate agreement.

The report did not factor Canada香蕉视频直播檚 draft regulations on oil and gas, which were published two days before DeMarco香蕉视频直播檚 report came out, though those regulations only come into force in 2026 after the next federal election.