When our Prime Minister, François Legault, says: “When we look at GHGs per capita, over 60 states and provinces […]. Quebec is first. Can we be a little bit proud? », we are immediately reassured! The figure often quoted is 10 tons of GHG per inhabitant; but by digging a little deeper, we realize that the real carbon footprint of Quebecers is 50% higher, or 15 tonnes of GHGs per inhabitant.
Posted at 9:00 a.m.
While the last seven years have been the hottest on record, while the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is reminding us yet again of the urgency to act, and while Quebec should once again not achieve its climate goals, it is time to rely on a comprehensive view of our climate impact.
In Quebec, transport and industry are involved
Since 1990, the quantity of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted on Quebec territory has been relatively stable: according to the latest provincial inventory, a Quebecer emits approximately 10 tonnes of CO equivalent2 (eqCO2) per year. At issue: mainly transport and industry for 43% and 29% respectively; but also: the residential, commercial and institutional sector for 10%, agriculture for 9% and waste for 8%.
Unfortunately, that’s not all. This first calculation method, which counts only the GHGs emitted on Quebec territory, includes the emissions of exported goods (metals, aircraft, wood, paper, pork, etc.) and attributes them to Quebecers. Conversely, this method does not include emissions from imported goods (road vehicles, oil and gas extraction, etc.) and therefore does not attribute them to Quebecers.
A second method, proposed by Dobson and Fellows, researchers at the University of Calgary, then makes it possible to calculate the GHGs emitted by the consumption of a Quebecer. Thus, a Quebecer rather emits about 15 tons eqCO2 per year… i.e. a carbon footprint twice the world average!
10 or 15 tonnes: what difference does it make?
To limit the impacts of climate change, there is only one solution: achieve carbon neutrality on a global scale. To achieve it, it would be necessary to emit between 1 to 2 tons eqCO2 per person and per year, at most, and offset these emissions by an equivalent sequestration of CO2. Thus, the Quebec government is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, a date that will limit global warming to 1.5°C if it is achieved on a global scale.
The government then prepared a plan to achieve this goal. Except that in this plan only the emissions produced on Quebec territory are counted, and not those related to the consumption of its residents. The collective GHG reduction effort required is not the same when you have to start from 15 tons, instead of 10, to arrive at less than 2 tons.
To achieve its objective, the Quebec government is relying on an ambitious road transport electrification policy. This electrification makes it possible to dream of a complete elimination of GHG emissions linked to the sector. Except that this calculation does not take into account emissions from all stages of a vehicle’s life, including those located outside Quebec, such as the production of the vehicle and its battery. According to a study by CIRAIG (International Reference Center for the Life Cycle of Products, Processes and Services), taking all these stages into account, emissions would only be reduced by 65%.
For a responsible Quebec
The province, supposedly a good student in terms of climate in Canada and internationally, pales when shown its rated copy of a 15 tonne eqCO2. This hidden responsibility, yet to be assumed, is seen all the more increased for two reasons common to the developed countries.
First, each ton of GHG emitted in excess of the sequestration capacity of natural carbon sinks, whether in 1900 or today, is responsible for climate change. Quebec has exceeded this limit since at least 1990, and therefore has a historical responsibility.
Second, Quebec has a strong economy, and therefore has the financial capacity to reduce its emissions and adapt to change, while helping developing countries to do the same.
A strong and rapid mobilization, essential
Faced with these findings, we must not be discouraged, but on the contrary mobilize collectively. The Common Front for Energy Transition has proposed a roadmap for a carbon-neutral Quebec that presents structuring solutions. We have to accept that entire sectors – transport, metals and minerals in particular – will be transformed. Their activities must be decarbonized or their actors must be supported towards a change of sector compatible with the climate emergency.
In addition, sobriety must be considered our first ally: collectively and individually questioning our needs directly reduces our environmental impacts. Efficiency comes second: betting on technologies with proven effectiveness and potential, and avoiding risky bets with untested or immature technologies, increases our chances of success.
Within our living environments, our dependence on the automobile must end. On the one hand, it is necessary to reduce the distances traveled by redeveloping jobs and services in the heart of neighborhoods, and by stopping financial incentives for cities – through property taxes – to contribute to urban sprawl. On the other hand, alternatives to solo driving, in particular public and active transportation, must be developed. Finally, since climate and societal changes are and will take place, it seems essential to prepare for them by deploying resilience strategies within the territories.
* Co-signatories: Jean-François Boisvert, President of the Montreal Climate Coalition; Daniel Roux, administrator of Laval en Transition and co-founder of Mobilization bois de l’Équerre; Geneviève Dagneau, co-spokesperson for Laval in transition; Catherine Houbart, director of GRAME; Clélia Sève, coordinator of Mothers on the Montreal Front; Samuel Lambert-Milot, administrator of The Shifters Montreal; Louka Kattan-Méthot, member of The Shifters Montreal; Aloïs Gallet, co-founder of EcoNova Education