GATINEAU, QC, June 28,
2024 /CNW/ - Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with
28 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a
100-year period. Reducing methane emissions from all sources,
including landfills, is one of the fastest and most cost-effective
ways to combat climate change.
That is why, today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister
of Environment and Climate Change, announced the publication of the
proposed Regulations Respecting the Reduction in the Release of
Methane (Waste Sector). The proposed Regulations would
require landfills to control methane emissions and ensure landfill
gas-recovery systems capture as much methane as possible.
The proposed Regulations would provide a consistent regulatory
approach to reduce landfill methane emissions across the country in
publicly- and privately-owned landfills that have received
municipal solid waste. More specifically, owners and operators of
regulated landfills that are estimated to generate methane above
regulation thresholds would be required to comply with and monitor
methane concentration limits on the landfill surface, limit venting
of methane to the atmosphere, and detect and repair methane
leaks.
To help assist with compliance costs that some landfills may
incur, the Canada Community-Building Fund provides
$2.4 billion in funding every year to
provinces and territories who, in turn, distribute this funding to
communities for strategic investments in essential infrastructure,
including solid waste management infrastructure. This funding could
support communities who develop landfill gas management
infrastructure projects to comply with the proposed
Regulations.
The proposed Regulations would aim to reduce methane emissions
from Canadian landfills by about 50 percent by 2030 (from 2019
levels). The proposed Regulations would contribute to Canada's commitment to reducing global methane
emissions by at least 30 percent below 2020 levels under the Global
Methane Pledge. They would also help Canada reach its emissions reduction target of
40–45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by
2050. Stakeholders, interested parties, and Canadians are invited
to review the proposed Regulations and provide feedback by
August 28, 2024.
Quotes
"Reducing emissions from methane is one of the top
recommendations made by climate scientists to slow the rate of
global warming. To achieve Canada's emissions reduction targets, we need
to reduce landfill methane emissions. The proposed Regulations
would set standards that are in line with the most stringent
requirements in North
America."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of
Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
- Globally, methane is responsible for around 30 percent of the
global rise in temperatures to date.
- Landfills account for 17 percent of Canada's methane emissions and 3 percent of
its greenhouse gas emissions.
- In October 2021, Canada announced support for the Global
Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce global methane emissions by 30
percent below 2020 levels by 2030.
- The Government of Canada
consulted Canadians on how to regulate to reduce methane emissions
from landfills by publishing a discussion paper in January 2022. A What We Heard Report was
published in September 2022.
- In April 2023, the Government
published a Proposed Regulatory Framework to seek comments, which
were used to finalize the proposed Regulations.
Associated links
- Consultation: Proposed Regulations Respecting the Reduction in
the Release of Methane (Waste Sector)
- Waste and Greenhouse Gases: Canada's Actions
- Municipal Solid Waste Management
- Landfill Methane Recovery and Destruction Offset Protocol
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada