Office of the Auditor General Canada | Source |
Since 2015, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has been tasked with addressing climate change. Despite this, a clear strategy to align with Canada’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas mitigation goals is still pending. This lack of direction impacts the effectiveness of current climate programs.
Current Challenges
- Emission Growth: Greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector increased by 39% from 1990 to 2021, driven mainly by crop production. In 2021, agriculture accounted for 10% of Canada’s total emissions.
- Delayed Program Implementation: Funding delays in key programs, including the On-Farm Climate Action Fund and Agriculture Clean Technology program, hindered timely project implementation and results. As of January 2024, these delays have limited the greenhouse gas reduction outcomes.
- Performance Tracking: Two out of three key programs lack finalized performance targets for climate change mitigation, making it challenging to assess progress effectively.
Key Achievements
- The On-Farm Climate Action Fund led to 4,338 producers adopting beneficial practices and improved management of 1,320,000 hectares of land.
- The Agriculture Clean Technology program resulted in 193 new clean technologies being adopted.
- Fourteen living labs were approved across Canada, promoting innovation and research in climate-smart agriculture.
Recommendations
- Develop a Comprehensive Strategy: Immediate action is needed to create a clear, long-term strategy that aligns with Canada’s greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2030 and 2050.
- Enhance Program Efficiency: Address funding and approval delays to ensure timely implementation of climate change programs.
- Set and Track Targets: Establish and finalize performance targets for all climate programs to improve transparency and effectiveness.
