Vision Statement

Canada’s natural gas delivery industry has the most reliable energy infrastructure, a rapidly growing array of technology solutions, and a dedicated workforce. These assets make the industry uniquely suited to affordably deliver on emissions reduction targets, like those being pursued by the Government of Canada with its net zero by 2050 goal.

An Ongoing Commitment

Natural gas utilities in Canada have long been leaders in helping Canadian energy consumers reduce their GHG emissions by reducing energy consumption and shifting to lower emitting alternatives, such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen. Through investments in innovation and clean technologies, we are identifying more and more opportunities to reduce our environmental impacts.

Net Zero Pathways for Canadian Buildings

The Canadian Gas Association commissioned a study prepared by leading experts titled Gas Pathways to Net Zero in Canada.

Three key takeaways as we look at the idea of net zero emissions by 2050

  1. Canada’s natural gas industry will make important contributions to the nation’s energy future, and planning for net-zero targets does not necessitate a choice between energy systems (gas or electric);
  2. There are a variety of end-use and renewable gas technologies through which gas utilities can support their customers in pursuing net-zero GHG emissions but all come with new cost pressures, and;
  3. Net-zero will require reform in the legislation and regulations that underpin utility investments in Canada, and these changes will require policy leadership from provinces and territories, with a supporting role for federal decision makers.

Our research includes three distinct scenarios for decarbonizing buildings in Canada, as outlined below.

Gas Pathways to Net-Zero Buildings Highlights
Gas Demand Reductions Renewable Gases Offsets / Negative Emissions Scenario Reaches Net Zero Target
Pathway 1 – Efficiency 35 million tonnes (43%) 34 million tonnes (43%) 11 million tonnes (14%)
Pathway 2 – Hybrid Heating 45 million tonnes (56%) 28 million tonnes (35%) 8 million tonnes (9%)
Pathway 3 – Renewable Gases 24 million tonnes (30%) 44 million tonnes (55%) 12 million tonnes (15%)

Interested in reading the report?
Download Gas Pathways to Net Zero in Canada

Pathways to Net Zero Infographic
Learn more in our infographic

Read our statement on net-zero in Canada

How We’ll Do Our Part

There are a variety of clean technologies and renewable gases that can be leveraged to help reduce emissions from the natural gas system. Below you will find several key strategies that are available to the industry. The technologies introduced can drive significant emissions reductions in support of net-zero targets.

Interested in deeper insights?
Download Gas Pathways to Net Zero in Canada

Efficient Home

energy-efficiency

Energy Efficiency for Canada
Energy efficiency in the building and industrial sectors is a critical mechanism to reduce emissions. It is typically the most affordable strategy as it reduces energy use – and therefore cost – for the consumer, and therefore should be the first action taken to achieve reduction targets.

Learn more about energy efficiency:
Natural Gas Drives Energy Efficiency and Cleantech Innovation
Natural Resources Canada – Energy Efficiency

renewable-natural-gas

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)
RNG is derived from biomass or other organic waste sources from farms, forests, landfills, and water treatment plants. It is a pipeline-quality gas that is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas and is low to negative emissions, depending on its source. RNG is produced over a series of steps: collection of a feedstock, delivery to a processing facility for biomass-to-gas conversion, gas conditioning, compression, and injection into the pipeline.

Learn more about Renewable Natural Gas:
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Handbook for Canadian Municipalities
The Renewable Natural Gas Opportunity

hydrogen

Hydrogen
Hydrogen is seen as an important component in a lower emission future largely because, when burned, its only by-products are heat and water (H20). Canada has several low- and no-carbon pathways (blue and green hydrogen, respectively) to produce hydrogen, including natural gas. Once hydrogen is produced, gas infrastructure is critical to the distribution and end-use of hydrogen for heating purposes.

Learn more about Hydrogen:
Enabling Higher-Hydrogen Blending in Natural Gas Distribution Systems
Canada’s Natural Gas Delivery Industry Responds to Government of Canada’s Hydrogen Strategy
Government of Canada Hydrogen Strategy

natural-gas-technology

Natural Gas Technology Solutions
Supporting Clean Technology Innovation for Natural Gas
NGIF Capital Corporation is accelerating cleantech innovation in natural gas through a results-driven approach to reducing emissions in Canada. Bringing together strategic investors across the natural gas value chain, NGIF is investing in transformational solutions and building a portfolio of disruptive clean technology startups. Their solutions will underpin our sector’s strong future and increase the competitive and environmental performance of Canada’s natural gas molecule.

natural-gas-vehicles

Natural Gas Vehicles
Natural gas is a clean, affordable and market-ready transportation fuel option for a variety of modes including medium and heavy-duty trucks, rail, marine, and off-road. It is particularly beneficial for buses, refuse collection vehicles, and other fleets as it provides cost and emissions savings compared with other conventional transportation fuels. Natural gas vehicles also have the opportunity to leverage the benefits of renewable natural gas, providing the lowest-cost pathway to net-zero emissions.

Learn more about Natural Gas Vehicles

What Our Members Are Doing

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Al Kleinschmidt, P.Eng., Manager, Energy Solutions, Pacific Northern Gas
The member companies of the CGA are each committed to meeting the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and I am excited to be part of a talented team at PNG that is finding innovative ways to warm homes and businesses in northern BC in a clean, sustainable way.
Derek Estabrook 2
Derek Estabrook, VP Business Development, Heritage Gas
The challenges we face as a society in reaching our climate change goals require diverse solutions. The need to heat our homes, fuel our energy intensive industries, and keep people and goods moving will still exist in the future. We need to change how we meet those needs by integrating renewable natural gas and hydrogen into our future energy system.
Cara-Lynne Wade Head Shot
Cara-Lynne Wade, Manager Energy Transition, Enbridge Gas Inc.
Integrated energy solutions which include electricity and natural gas are essential to meet our future energy needs sustainably, practically and affordably. We’re leading the low-carbon transition by advancing innovative solutions like greening the gas supply, low-carbon heating and transportation technologies and conservation.
Cory Frei 9 22 21 1
Cory Frei, Director, Strategic Planning, SaskEnergy
I am proud to be a part of a team at SaskEnergy that is committed to providing critical energy for a greener Saskatchewan.
Ariel Bautista_IMG_5101 (3)
Ariel Bautista, Director of Sustainability - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
Natural gas utilities are an important part of how Liberty delivers energy to its customers, and through our purpose of ‘sustaining energy and water for life’ and our net-zero target, we are regularly looking for decarbonization opportunities to continue our strong track record of being a leader in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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Patrick Keys, Chief Sustainability Officer, TC Energy
We are embracing the energy transition that is underway and contributing to a lower-carbon energy world. Our people have the technical capabilities and innovative mindset required to enable change, seize new opportunities, and meet our climate goals.

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Gas Pathways to Net Zero in Canada

Interested in deeper insights?
Download Gas Pathways to Net Zero in Canada