Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act

The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (French: Loi canadienne sur la responsabilité en matière de carboneutralité) is an act of the Parliament of Canada which establishes an accountability and transparency framework for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.^[1]

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act
Parliament of Canada
Long title An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050
Citation	2021, c. 22
Considered by	House of Commons of Canada
Considered by	Senate of Canada
Royal assent	2024-06-20
Legislative history
First chamber: House of Commons of Canada
Bill citation	Bill C-12
First reading	2020-11-19
Second reading	2021-06-28
Third reading	2021-06-22
Second chamber: Senate of Canada
First reading	2021-06-23
Second reading	2021-06-28
Third reading	2021-06-29
Related legislation
S.C. 2024, c. 13, S.C. 2018, c. 12, s. 186
Status: In force

Background

Since the 1980s, Canada repeatedly set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.^[1]

Provisions

The legislation enshrines in statute the government's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.^[1]

The act requires the government to set national emissions reduction targets for 2035, 2040, 2045, 10 years in advance, alongside plans to achieve these goals.^[2]

The act does not place any requirements on climate change adapatation.^[3]

The Net-Zero Advisory Body is established by the act, with the purpose of advising the government on achieving and setting the targets under the act.^[4]

Implementation

The 2035 target was published in December 2024 and sets a goal of 45-50% emissions reduction by 2035, compared to 2005 levels.^[5] The Net-Zero Advisory Body had proposed a target of 50-55%.^[6]

Reception

The legislation has been criticized by Christopher Campbell-Duruflé, an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, for not recognizing indigenous jurisdiction in climate policy.^[7]