e-3940 (Agriculture)

The government acknowledges the importance of taking action on climate change. The consequences of climate change are being felt right now here in Canada and around the world, affecting agricultural production and food security . The science is clear that existing efforts are not enough to avoid catastrophic effects and that more needs to be done to address climate change, and on a faster timeline. The recently published Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C found that to keep global warming below 1.5°C, net human caused emissions of CO2 need to fall globally by about 45% below 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero around 2050.

Climate change is already intensifying weather patterns, resulting in more intense rainfall and flooding in some regions with more intense droughts in other regions. For example, drought across western Canada resulted in yield and productivity losses on over 18 million hectares of cropland and 22 million hectares of pasture, while in British Columbia more than 1,100 farms, 15,000 hectares and 2.5 million livestock in the Sumas region were impacted by the floods in 2022. Recently, high winds from hurricane Fiona has also reduced yields from apple orchards, damaged unharvested areas and on-farm infrastructure, including to winter feed storage across Atlantic Canada. 

Extreme weather and an ongoing global pandemic underline why 2022 is a crucial year for climate action and ensuring international collaboration in the fight against climate change. It also points to the need for clear and decisive action here at home, where all Canadians and all sectors of the economy are being called upon to do their part to reduce emissions and build climate resiliency. The government of Canada is not the only one recognizing the need for a strong action on climate change. The provincial and territorial (FPT) governments have committed to working with the federal government to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector through the new $500 million Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP).

In December 2020, the Government of Canada announced its Strengthened Climate Plan, “A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy.” It includes a number of measures for the agriculture sector, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a national target to reduce absolute levels of emissions arising from fertilizer application by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.

Nitrous oxide emissions from synthetic fertilizer application accounts for over one-third of nitrous oxide emissions in Canada. In addition, emissions from crop production, of which nitrogen fertilizer application is a major driver, are forecast to continue increasing by 2030, based on a business as usual trajectory.

Given the essential role of nitrogen fertilizer in agricultural production, the fertilizer target was established based on available scientific research and analysis which points to the potential of optimizing nitrogen fertilizer use with an accompanying reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining or increasing yield.

In order to achieve a concrete reduction in overall emissions, the target is established relative to absolute emissions rather than emissions intensity. The target is focused solely on reducing emissions arising from fertilizer use in Canada. It does not represent a mandatory reduction in the amount of fertilizer used on the farm.

The goal is to maximize efficiency, optimize fertilizer use, encourage innovation, and to work collaboratively with the agriculture sector, partners and stakeholders in identifying opportunities that will allow us to successfully reach this target.

The emissions reduction target was the result of an iterative process which considered various factors and characteristics, to develop a target that is:

• Ambitious – considering climate goals and international efforts;
• Technically Achievable – technologies and know-how largely exist;
• Economically Feasible – potential cost savings and increased yield through efficiency gains and better management; and
• Scientifically Defensible – supported by research findings relevant to Canadian context.

The fertilizer emission target is ambitious, but achievable. It is intended to build upon the sector’s work to date, and increase adoption of region- and farm-specific approaches that will reverse the trend of rising emissions arising from fertilizer use while maintaining the sector’s competitiveness and Canada’s reputation as a top producer and exporter of quality crops. To a large extent, the required technologies and practices already exist. It is now a question of how to increase their use, identify and address any challenges or shortcomings, and ensure that farmers have the knowledge and support required to do so. This consultation is a key part of the Government of Canada’s efforts to develop a collaborative approach to meet this target.

In March 2021, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) launched a series of informal, targeted engagement sessions to seek early feedback from the agriculture sector, including commodity and grower associations, provinces, and industry organizations. These sessions informed this discussion paper, the current phase of consultation, and engagement plans.

The second phase of the engagement process sought feedback from farmers, provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, local authorities, the private sector, non-government organizations, and the public. A consultation process was launched on March 4th, 2022. This included release of a Discussion Paper and corresponding online survey which received 1,250 completed responses.  In April 2022, a Town Hall was held to hear directly from producers, industry representatives and stakeholders about working together to identify a strategy to reduce emissions. In September and October 2022, a series of technical workshops were held, bringing together scientists, government, provinces, territories, and industry experts to discuss key topics including beneficial management practices and fertilizer emissions data. The feedback collected during these engagement activities will be used by the Government of Canada to inform next steps in the development and implementation of a strategy to reduce emissions and improve nutrient management in Canadian agriculture while not limiting Canada’s ability to maximize food production.