OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Canada 2017

Canada, the world's second largest country by area, has abundant natural resources. Its vast territory includes large tracts of undisturbed wilderness. However, urbanisation and agriculture are putting pressure on the natural asset base. Since 2000, Canada has made progress in decoupling economic growth from air pollution, energy consumption and GHG emissions, but it remains one of the most energy- and emissions-intensive economies in the OECD. Further progress is needed to transition to a green, low-carbon economy.
This is the third Environmental Performance Review of Canada. It evaluates progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with special features on climate change mitigation and urban wastewater management.
Also available in: French
Towards green growth
While progress towards green growth has been relatively slow since the last review in 2004, Canada is now building strong policy frameworks and measures to support its green growth transition. It is also establishing new collaborative efforts across federal, provincial and territorial governments. This chapter presents Canada’s progress towards green growth, considering environmentally related taxation, other economic instruments, investments in environmental infrastructure and services, the state of eco-innovation and markets for environmental goods and services, measures to address the social consequences of green growth, and the interaction between environment and international trade and development assistance.
Also available in: French