Wednesday November 6, 2024

This summer, Canadians experienced the severe impacts of climate change right at their doorstep. From record breaking heat waves across the country¹, flooding subway stairwells in Toronto, to western Canada’s major wildfires. In terms of area burned, data shows that this year’s wildfire season is on track to being the second worst since 1995, with more than 5.3 million hectares burned so far.²

You’re probably wondering amid these incredible weather changes and extreme weather crises, where are we in our journey to decarbonize our energy sources and transition to renewable energy?

The most recent assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found with high confidence that “Every increment of global warming will intensify multiple and concurrent hazards” and “The choices and actions implemented in this decade will have impacts now and for thousands of years”.³

Together, the world has agreed to tackle climate change by committing to net zero energy-related emissions by 2050.⁴ The devasting impact of even a fraction of a degree cannot be overstated, which makes what seems like the smallest of steps greatly important.⁵ Knowledge is power. The more we’re informed, the more impactful our individual decisions will be.

Current Pulse: The Latest  

We’ve made progress, but not nearly fast enough. At the current pace, we won’t achieve any of the SDG7 targets by 2030. The Tracking SDG7 Energy Progress Report, 2024, produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), estimate that modern renewables must reach 32-35% of total final energy consumption by 2030. Under current policies, we’ll only get to 23%.⁶

“Today, energy-related emissions contribute to over 80% of total global emissions.”⁷

The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have hindered global progress.⁸ Major economic risks like high inflation, countries failing to pay their debts, and unbalanced distributions of money and resources have also contributed.⁹ Regional differences in progress persist, and international financial flows to developing countries continue to decline.¹⁰

It’s worth mentioning some notable achievements. 2023 experienced unprecedented growth in renewable energy additions, accounting for 87% of newly installed energy capacity. The cherry on top – this trend is expected to continue.¹¹ To spur policy makers into action, the twenty-eighth session of COP, held this past November, agreed to triple installed renewable power capacity by 2030 and double the energy efficiency rate, in line with IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario recommendation.¹²

European countries are leading the way. Outside of this region, Brazil and Chile are true standouts that the world can learn from. Ranking amongst the top 20 of the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index 2024, these case studies show long term progressive policies work.¹³

Current global commitment recap

Our most important international treaty on climate change is the 2015 Paris Agreement.195 countries have ratified a legally binding treaty to pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels”.¹⁴ Its central aim is to strengthen the global response to climate change and restrict global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as soon as possible.¹⁵

All signatories attend a yearly conference, known as the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP). To keep track of each country’s policies and their progress, this body reviews the current situation and makes decisions to ratchet up commitments needed to achieve 1.5°C. Starting in 2024, signatories must start transparently reporting their progress.¹⁶

During that same year, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Think of this as the supporting and necessary pieces involved in a global transition. Our energy systems impact every aspect of our lives. To ensure a just and equitable transition, these interconnected societal, economic, and environmental aspects must equally modernize and prosper. 

How do we get to 1.5 °C?

Ramping up renewable energy across three key sectors: electricity, heat, and transport is paramount. Electrification and energy efficiency is the secret recipe. Robust progressive policies and regulations need to guide the way, and international cooperation to maximize innovation, resources, and capital will propel us forward.

There are of course some barriers. A notable example is the limited feasibility of solar panels for the average home or business. Furthermore, in Canada we have a regulated energy system. This means, there is no way to physically power your home with 100% green electricity without removing yourself from the grid or installing solar panels. In all provinces except Alberta, there are strict rules about who can buy and sell energy. Your utility provider owns the electrical lines and units going into your home, so they decide where your power comes from.

How can businesses and individuals help the green energy transition and reduce their carbon footprint?

By providing Canadians with green energy solutions, Bullfrog Power helps businesses and individuals address their carbon footprint associated with their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. No special equipment or installation is required, and any business or home across Canada can become bullfrogpowered.

Think about it like you’re paying a bit extra for organic produce, or a jacket made from sustainable materials. Like purchases you make in your day-to-day life, you’re given a choice to pay a premium for a more ethically sourced and environmentally friendly product.

Bullfrog Power matches the amount of energy your business or household uses each month and put’s renewable energy onto the grid on your behalf. Our energy comes from wind, solar, and low-impact hydro facilities in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates. RECs are the global standard for tracking how much renewable energy is produced, and they guarantee that green electricity was put onto the grid on your behalf. To read more about RECs, click here.

When a group of people shows that they’re willing to pay more for renewable energy, developers and governments take note. Our community’s demand for green power helps build new renewable projects, like the Rattlesnake Ridge Wind Facility and the Burdett and Yellow Lake Solar Facility.

Oh, and just one more thing! Something important that’s not often mentioned in scientific reports, there’s no time for despair. Remember these two things: this energy transition is already technically feasible and economically viable.¹⁸

The blueprint is ready, the materials and tools have arrived on site, it’s now up to us to start building.

By providing Canadians with green energy solutions, businesses and individuals can address the carbon footprint associated with their energy consumption. The Bullfrog difference ensures that you are purchasing the highest-quality green energy to help you maximize your carbon reductions while providing transparent, reliable reporting and support for your sustainability communications.

We’re on a journey to mitigate the impacts of climate change and transition Canada’s grid to clean, renewable energy. If you have any questions, we’d love to answer them. Reach out to us at info@bullfrogpower.com or call us at 1.877.360.3464.  

Sources

1. Climate Change Breaks Heat Records across Canada This Summer.” CTV News, 5 Nov. 2023, www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/climate-change-breaks-heat-records-across-canada-this-summer-1.7087990. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

2. Climate Change Breaks Heat Records across Canada This Summer.” CTV News, 5 Nov. 2023, www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/climate-change-breaks-heat-records-across-canada-this-summer-1.7087990. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Summary for Policymakers. 2023, IPCC, https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM.pdf.

4. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024. United Nations Statistics Division, UNSD (2024), link to PDF

5. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024. United Nations Statistics Division, UNSD (2024), link to PDF

6. Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2024. International Energy Agency, IEA (2024b), www.iea.org/reports/tracking-sdg7-the-energy-progress-report-2024.
7. Brazil and Chile Lead Latin America’s Energy Transition. World Economic Forum, WEF (2024a), www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/07/brazil-chile-latin-america-energy-transition.
8. World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023. International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA (2023), www.irena.org/Digital-Report/World-Energy-Transitions-Outlook-2023
9. Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2024. International Energy Agency, IEA (2024b), www.iea.org/reports/tracking-sdg7-the-energy-progress-report-2024.
10. Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023. United Nations Statistics Division, UNSD (2023), www.unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023

11. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024. United Nations Statistics Division, UNSD (2024), link to PDF

12. Tracking COP28 outcomes: Tripling renewable power capacity by 2030, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. IRENA (2024) Available at: https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Mar/Tracking-COP28-outcomes-Tripling-renewable-power-capacity-by-2030

13. Brazil and Chile Lead Latin America’s Energy Transition. World Economic Forum, WEF (2024a), www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/07/brazil-chile-latin-america-energy-transition.

14. Status of Ratification of the Paris Agreement. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCCb), www.unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/status-of-ratification
15. Key Aspects of the Paris Agreement. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCCa), www.unfccc.int/most-requested/key-aspects-of-the-paris-agreement
16. Key Aspects of the Paris Agreement. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCCa), www.unfccc.int/most-requested/key-aspects-of-the-paris-agreement
17. Brazil’s opportunity to lead the global dialogue on energy and climate, IEA (2024a), Paris. Available at: https://www.iea.org/commentaries/brazil-s-opportunity-to-lead-the-global-dialogue-on-energy-and-climate, License: CC BY 4.0

18. Tracking COP28 outcomes: Tripling renewable power capacity by 2030, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. IRENA (2024) Available at: https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Mar/Tracking-COP28-outcomes-Tripling-renewable-power-capacity-by-2030