On February 12, 2025, Canada submitted its 2035 target under the Paris Agreement, committing to cut national emissions by 45% to 50% compared to the 2005 base year.

That’s not much, considering that Canada is currently targeting a 40% to 45% reduction by 2030. The new target only aims to cut emissions by an additional 5% by 2035, an intended rate of 1% per year.

On a simple math basis, that is about one-third of the rate at which Canada needs to cut emissions to reach its goal of net zero by 2050.

Many observers reacted with disappointment at a target that has been described as lacking ambition. In a statement the David Suzuki Foundation said the “slight” change from the 2030 target “… falls short of what is needed to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis”.

Caroline Brouillette, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, characterized Canada’s “weak” target as “obeying in advance” to U.S. interests.

What’s particularly notable about the target is that in setting it, the government rejected the official advice of its Net Zero Advisory Body (NZAB), a group of independent experts charged with providing advice to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

In September 2024, the NZAB issued a report to the minister which recommended targeting emission reductions of 50% to 55% by 2035, concluding that “targets below 50% will put Canada behind on its legislated objective of net-zero emissions by mid-century”.

For their part, Government officials defend the target as being achievable in the context of our current political uncertainty.

Comments by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson suggest that Canadian officials issued a weaker-than-expected 2035 emission reduction target following Donald Trump’s election in November.

“Certainly, the United States does factor into the competitiveness issue,” he said, speaking to the National Observer. “Clearly, the United States is moving away from any kind of regulation relating to climate.”

How does Canada’s ambition stack up to peers?

Environmental Defence, an environmental advocacy group, says that Canada’s “disappointing target cements Canada’s position as a global climate laggard.”

While every country has a different set of challenges and opportunities when setting targets, it does seem clear that Canada’s climate ambitions lag well below those of our G7 peers and major trading partners.

In November, the United Kingdom set a goal to slash 81% of its emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, a significant step up from its 2030 target to cut emissions by at least 68 %.

The EU is currently targeting a 55% reduction by 2030. While they have not officially committed to their next target, they are reportedly considering a target of reducing emissions by 90% below 1990 levels by 2040

Japan has committed to a 60% reduction below 2013 levels and a 73% reduction by 2040. 

Initial assessments by the climate councils in Australia and New Zealand, with legislated mandates to advise on targets, have suggested that 2035 targets of 65% to 75% and up to 69% below 2005 levels, respectively, would be ambitious but achievable.

Even the US has committed to a greater climate ambition than Canada, although its targets are now in peril.

In December 2024, then-President Joe Biden officially set the United States 2035 emission reduction target at 61% to 66% below 2005 levels.

And while the newly elected President Trump has set in motion the process to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, he has not yet moved to scrap that target.

Canadians pride themselves on being forward-thinking leaders with integrity and ambition. But when it comes to climate change, it’s clear we’re not doing enough.

The one silver lining is that Canada’s targets aren’t set in stone—they can be revised at any time.

In 2021, for instance, Canada chose to strengthen its 2030 emissions target, increasing our aim from a 30% reduction to the current 40% -45% goal.

Let’s ask our leaders to step up again and raise the bar for 2035.