Canada - GMP Methane Action Update (September 2024)

Methane accounts for approximately 13% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions (2022). This factsheet provides an overview of Canada’s domestic strategies and international efforts to reduce methane emissions, highlighting key initiatives aimed at achieving substantial emission reductions.
 

Key actions and achievements

Faster and Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy

Launched in September 2022, the Faster and Further strategy outlines Canada’s comprehensive approach to reducing methane emissions across all major economic sectors. The strategy aims to reduce overall methane emissions by more than 35% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. 

Sectors and Commitments

• Oil & Gas (48% of methane emissions in 2022): Canada is on track to meet its 2025 methane reduction target of 40-45 per cent below 2012 levels. Canada has further committed to reduce methane emissions by 75% below 2012 levels by 2030. Draft regulations were released during COP28 to drive emissions toward zero by targeting fugitive methane emissions.
• Agriculture (27% of methane emissions in 2022): Canada continues to reduce emissions through improved manure management and livestock feeding protocols, as well as investments in clean tech and methane reduction innovation. 
• Waste (17% of methane emissions in 2022): Draft regulations were released in June 2024 to cut methane emissions from Canadian landfills by 50% below 2019 levels by 2030 from landfills. Canada also collaborates internationally to standardize methane measurement from waste.

International Engagement on Methane

• Global Methane Pledge (GMP): Canada, serving as a GMP Champion, is committed to the GMP goal of reducing emissions by 30% by 2030, with domestic efforts expected to exceed this target.
• Bilateral Projects: Canada targets climate finance for methane mitigation projects in many developing countries, supporting GHG reductions and improving sustainable development.
• Arctic Council and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition: Canada collaborates on methane reduction in the Arctic region and globally through partnerships, including the Climate and Clean Air Coalition where Canada is a member of the board and a top donor.

Plans for the future

Canada’s goal is to target 35% overall methane reduction by 2030 (from 2020). Ongoing work will continue to bridge gaps between reported emissions within Canada’s National Inventory Report.