Urgent Report: GTHA’s Natural Gas Use Undermines Emission Goals

UPDATE: The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area’s (GTHA) increasing reliance on natural gas is severely undermining efforts to cut carbon emissions, according to a stark new report released today by the Atmospheric Fund. Emissions in the region surged by 1 percent in 2024, falling far short of the 11 percent annual cuts needed to meet the critical climate targets for 2030.

The report highlights that electricity emissions skyrocketed by 28 percent, significantly outpacing the 2 percent increase in energy demand. This alarming trend is directly linked to Ontario’s growing dependence on natural gas to power the energy grid, a situation that is expected to worsen over the next decade.

Buildings and transportation are the top two sectors contributing to emissions across the GTHA, with Hamilton’s steel manufacturing sector leading in that city. Despite the addition of approximately 300,000 new residents in the area, per-capita emissions have declined by around 3 percent, indicating that some climate actions are starting to yield positive results.

The report also notes significant advancements in government initiatives such as home retrofit programs and the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Notably, Toronto has recently achieved a milestone with 100 electric buses now in its transit fleet, showcasing progress in reducing urban emissions.

A comprehensive study on Toronto’s air quality was launched last year by Environment and Climate Change Canada, aiming to further understand and address pollution sources in the region.

The GTHA encompasses Toronto, Hamilton, and surrounding municipalities including Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. As of last year, 16 percent of Ontario’s energy grid was powered by natural gas, resulting in an overall 84 percent emissions-free grid—a decline from 87 percent the previous year and a peak of 96 percent in 2017.

Climate advocates have criticized this trajectory, asserting that it reflects a lack of timely investment in renewable energy and battery storage solutions. Meanwhile, government officials remain optimistic, stating plans to achieve an almost entirely clean grid by 2050. They attribute the recent spike in natural gas usage partly to ongoing nuclear refurbishments.

WHAT’S NEXT: As the GTHA continues to grapple with the implications of its energy choices, residents and policymakers alike are urged to closely monitor these developments. The pressing need for sustainable energy solutions has never been clearer.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation evolves.