Climate change in Yukon

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Climate change in Yukon affects various environments and industries.

Contents

Greenhouse gas emissions

Annual greenhouse gas emissions increased by 6% between 2010 and 2022, when excluding the mining industry. [1] Per capita emissions decreased by 12% during this time period, when excluding the mining industry. [1] Total annual emissions increased by 24% between 2009 and 2019. [2]

When emissions from the mining industry are included, total emissions increased by 10% between 2010 and 2022. [1]

Impacts of climate change

Precipitation

Precipitation would increase by between 13% and 17% over the 50 years from 2022 and 2072. [3]

Snow cover

Snow cover decreased between 5% and 10% for each decade between 1981 and 2021, and this would be set to continue. [4]

Response

Policies

The Yukon government has considered subsidizing the mining industry to make the investments to reduce emissions. [5]

The Yukon government and the Canadian federal government funded residents installing heat pumps. [6] The program was paused due to high demand. [7]

Grid Connect Project

The Canadian federal government made $40,000,000 for connecting Yukon to the North American power grid and infrastructure for mining for "critical minerals". [8] Previously the Premier of Yukon had suggested that $60,000,000 would be necessary for investing in the power-grid connection. [9] The territory had previously struggled with matching its building of infrastructure to its population growth. [10]

Legislation

Clean Energy Act

Clean Energy Act
Legislative Assembly of Yukon
CitationSY 2022, c 14
Assented to2022-11-16
Legislative history
Bill citationBill 17 of 2022
Introduced by John Streicker
First reading 2022-10-11
Second reading 2022-10-13
Third reading 2022-11-27
Keywords
emissions targets, electric vehicles targets
Status: In force (amended)

At the time of the bill passing, Yukon had just experienced a historic wildfire season. [11]

For non-mining sector emissions the Act commits the province to achieving emissions reductions corresponding to: [12]

The Act also commits the territory to achieving a reduction of 45% in mining emissions by 2035 compared to 2010 levels. [12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Greene, Julien (2024-11-13). "Yukon gov't again reports emissions down per resident, while total emissions continue to climb". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  2. ↑ Lach-Aidelbaum, Maya (2021-12-03). "Yukon's greenhouse gas emissions increased 24% in past decade, report finds". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  3. ↑ Greene, Julien (2022-10-16). "Climate change could significantly affect Yukon's landscape — and people — in 50 years, report states". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  4. ↑ "Climate change affecting northern Canada faster than rest of the country, report says". Yukon News. 2019-04-05. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  5. ↑ Greene, Julien (2024-06-04). "Yukon gov't considers subsidies for mining companies to reduce emissions". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  6. ↑ Stockton, Talar (2024-12-21). "Yukon and Ottawa team up to bring heat pumps to Yukon homes". Yukon News. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  7. ↑ Howarth, Jake (2025-01-08). "Yukon government pauses affordable heat pump program due to high demand". Yukon News. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  8. ↑ "Infrastructure funding to unlock critical minerals development in the Yukon". Mining Weekly. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  9. ↑ "Yukon premier calls for 'generational investment' in power-grid connection". CBC News. 2024-06-11. Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  10. ↑ "Feds put up $40M for study on Yukon connection to wider electrical grid". CBC News. 2024-09-21. Archived from the original on 2024-09-21. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  11. ↑ Ho, Joseph (2022-10-05). "As Yukon MLAs return to Legislative Assembly, questions linger about the future after Sandy Silver". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  12. 1 2 "Yukon's emissions 10% higher than 2010 but growing slower than population, economy". Yukon News. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
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