From data to action: What this year’s emissions inventory tells us

Almost daily, TAF receives questions from policymakers, elected officials, journalists, researchers and residents asking about carbon trends and what actions work best to reduce emissions. It’s a stark contrast to the year we published the 2015 report, our first GTHA inventory. That edition (printed on paper) landed quietly in the trays of a few urban sustainability staff, and it grew from there.  

This week, we launched the 2024 Carbon Emission Inventory for the GTHA, showing that emissions increased by 1% and that per capita emissions decreased. There is a lot of interest in the report. One of the newer questions we get is: can we reduce emissions and support the economy? It’s not a surprising question as we’re seeing climate measures and funding rolling back based on claims that they don’t work for the economy and housing, from the recent federal budget to Ontario’s Bill 60. Not only is climate action stalling, we’re even losing existing successful policies and programs that are delivering on climate and economic objectives, like Canada’s Greener Homes Program. The future of Toronto’s flagship Green Standard is uncertain.  

Evidence-based climate actions make life more affordable  

With mounting pressure to address economic challenges, increased scrutiny over government spending and programming is valid. TAF’s Carbon Emissions Inventory is important because it gives us a precise view on what’s working. Now is the time to leverage data and coordinate climate action so it delivers on related priorities and metrics, like health, affordability and housing. While investment in climate action comes with a price tag, the outcomes put more money in the pockets of regular people, from homes that cost less to operate, to cars that save at the pump, right up to the national healthcare savings and fewer hospital visits that come from cleaner air.  

TAF’s top takeaways from the 2024 inventory  

This year’s policy recommendations focus on actions that have the biggest, proven carbon reduction potential, and drive economic opportunity and affordability. Our recommendations focus on four key areas:  

• Governments need to advance standards and incentives that prioritize green buildings and retrofits – Buildings continue to remain the highest source of emissions across the GTHA. Standards and incentives for buildings make new and existing homes and businesses more efficient and affordable over the long term. They reduce carbon emissions, reduce the burden on our electricity system and services, generate local jobs, and provide protection from the impacts of climate change like floods and extreme indoor heat.   
• EV charging and incentives need coordination and support – Transportation is the second highest source of emissions in the GTHA. All actions that encourage EVs significantly reduce carbon and air pollution, attract more EV supply chain investments and business, and help people save money on vehicle operating costs. Coordination between levels of governments on planning and investment in charging specifically will address range anxiety and make EVs more accessible to more people. Prioritizing EV readiness in new construction will make installing charging far more affordable than retrofitting parking stalls in the future.   
• Clean electricity can power the new economy now – Emissions from the electricity grid increased 28% last year – a dangerous trend as Ontario ramps up gas–fired generation. Continued reliance on fracked American natural gas will increase emissions and air pollution and leave future generations saddled with stranded assets when gas plants are not permitted to operate. Meanwhile, renewable energy, storage, and demand-side management are rapidly deployable and cost-effective. Sending strong regulatory signals and investing in non-emitting sources means no pollution, no carbon emissions, policy certainty for the cleantech industry, and an attractive investment environment for global companies who need to meet their ESG requirements. Clean electricity makes Canada less reliant on fossil fuels and supports energy sovereignty.  
• Governments can enable climate solutions by addressing red tape — All levels of government naturally accumulate regulations and processes that become outdated over time, some of which are now barriers to climate solutions. Streamlining processes and removing red tape will reduce the cost and complexity of climate action for households and businesses like developers, tradespeople, and technology installers. It also reduces bureaucratic workloads, especially municipal rules associated with managing permits, zoning amendments, and minor variances. 

While emissions only increased slightly this year, the region needs to cut emissions by half by 2030. And with recent moves by political leaders to pull back on climate action, 2025 data might be even worse. It will take concerted leadership from politicians, cleantech industries, advocacy groups, academics, policymakers, and citizens pushing proven solutions to reverse this trend. Packaging these solutions with the right narrative is important. We have to keep countering the myth that climate actions are at the expense of the economy– they are smart economic policies.  

Solutions are here – please share them with your elected officials. Get the detailed results and policy recommendations.