Greenhouse Gas Emissions

What are greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the gases that are released into the atmosphere as a result of activities such as driving, heating buildings, powering industry, farming and waste. GHGs are accumulating in the atmosphere like a blanket, trapping heat and raising global temperatures.

How much GHG emissions is PEI producing?

The Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) relies on the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) National Inventory Report (NIR) on Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada for its official provincial emissions data across all sectors. The latest NIR includes information on national, provincial, and territorial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990-2022. ECCC is always working to improve the completeness, consistency, and accuracy of the NIR, therefore its emissions data is subject to change.

For further information on the NIR, please visit the ECCC webpage.

PEI's GHG emissions were 1,602,000 tonnes (1.602 Mt) during the latest NIR data year (2022). PEI's emissions decreased by 1.9% (31,324) tonnes over the previous data year (2021).

What are our sources of greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the most recent National Inventory Report released by Environment and Climate Change Canada, our GHG emissions come from three main economic sectors:

Transportation (42%)

• Transportation is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Prince Edward Island.  
• 71% of our transportation emissions come from passenger cars and trucks.
• The remaining transportation emissions come mostly from freight transportation (like heavy trucks, marine transport, and aviation). 

Agriculture (24%)

• Livestock, manure and fertilizer use generate GHG emissions. Livestock produce methane gas and so does their manure. Nitrous oxides are given off when we use synthetic or natural fertilizers, and add manure to croplands and pastures.
• 83% of PEI’s agricultural emissions come from growing crops and animals. Fuel use on farms only accounts for 17% of agricultural emissions.

Buildings (19%)

• Island homes, businesses, and industries burn fossil fuels like light fuel oil (furnace oil), heavy fuel oil (bunker C), diesel, and propane to produce heat or electricity.
• Heavy fuel oil generates the most GHGs (3 kg for every litre of oil burned), while propane generates the least (1.5 kg for every litre of propane burned).
• PEI’s emissions from buildings have been decreasing over the years as more people are improving building efficiency and switching to electric heating systems. 

PEI's remaining emissions come from the manufacturing (11%) and waste (4%) sectors.

Does PEI have a GHG emissions reduction target?

In 2020, the Legislative Assembly of PEI adopted the Net-Zero Carbon Act which sets out the following ambitious GHG emission reduction targets:

• By 2030 and for each subsequent calendar year, PEI’s GHG emissions will be less than 1.2 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year; and
• By 2040 and for each subsequent year, PEI’s GHG emissions will be at a level where carbon neutrality is achieved.

PEI is currently 75% of the way to meeting the 2030 GHG emissions reduction target and 31% of the way to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. PEI will need to accelerate efforts to reduce its GHG emissions to meet the 2040 target.

What is PEI doing to lower GHG emissions?

PEI’s 2040 Net Zero Framework outlines Government of PEI’s plan to meet the Net Zero Carbon Act GHG emissions reduction targets. Work is also currently underway to develop a Provincial Net-Zero Pathway: 5-Year Mitigation Action Plan.

In addition, the Government of PEI released a Climate Adaptation Plan in the Fall of 2023 which outlines a series of action items intended to help prepare for and lessen the impacts of climate change on Island residents.

Review the Minister’s Annual Report on Climate Change Risks and Progress Toward Targets for more information on whole-of-Government of PEI’s climate actions.

What does a tonne of CO₂ look like?

Visit One Tonne of CO₂ to see what kind of activities produce one tonne of CO₂.  

Who can I contact for more information?

E-mail: sustainable@gov.pe.ca