Canada's commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 demands a profound transformation of its energy landscape, one that accounts for the country's unique federal structure and regional diversity. A groundbreaking study from the University of Victoria's Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic) offers the first detailed, open-source analysis of these decarbonization pathways, modeling how provinces can collectively reach this goal without excessive new investments.
The research, published in npj Climate Action, employs MESSAGEix-Canada—a subnational integrated assessment model (IAM)—to simulate energy transitions across all provinces and territories. Led by researchers Muhammad Awais, Deven Azevedo, and Madeleine McPherson, the study reveals that net-zero is technically feasible and cost-effective, primarily through reallocating capital from fossil fuels to electrification, efficiency, clean hydrogen, and grid infrastructure. This approach maintains or even enhances the delivery of energy services to Canadians while slashing emissions.
Understanding Canada's Energy Federation Challenge
Canada's energy system is inherently federated, with provinces holding primary jurisdiction over resources, while the federal government sets overarching climate targets. This structure creates both opportunities and hurdles for decarbonization. In 2025, national emissions stood at around 503 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2), dominated by oil and gas production (especially Alberta's oil sands), transportation, and industry. Provinces like Quebec and British Columbia boast low-carbon hydro-dominated grids, covering over 90% of electricity needs, whereas Alberta and Saskatchewan rely heavily on coal and natural gas, contributing disproportionately to per capita emissions.
Recent federal policies, such as the Clean Electricity Regulations and Output-Based Pricing System, push for cleaner grids and carbon pricing, but gaps remain. The Canada Energy Regulator's (CER) 2026 forecast shows emissions declining under current measures, yet falling short of net-zero without accelerated action. UVic's model bridges this by integrating provincial data on population growth, GDP trajectories, energy demands, and resource endowments into a cohesive national framework.
Key challenges include Alberta's oil sands (83% of Canadian production), Saskatchewan's potash and uranium industries, and Atlantic Canada's offshore oil. Conversely, Ontario's nuclear and emerging renewables position it for electrification leadership. The study underscores that uniform national policies risk inefficiency; tailored provincial strategies are essential.
The MESSAGEix-Canada Model: A New Tool for Energy Planning
At the heart of this research is MESSAGEix-Canada, Canada's inaugural open-source subnational IAM. Developed by the Sustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transitions (SESIT) group at IESVic, it optimizes energy systems to minimize discounted costs while respecting emissions caps, resource limits, and interprovincial electricity trade. Unlike global models, it resolves dynamics at the provincial level, using data from Statistics Canada, CER energy balances, and IIASA's technology databases.
The model covers primary energy supply (fossils, renewables, bioenergy), conversion (power plants, electrolyzers), and end-use demands across transportation, buildings, and industry. It incorporates temporal resolution for variability (e.g., wind/solar intermittency) and spatial trade via simplified HVDC lines. Calibration validates against historical trends, ensuring realistic baselines. Open-source code and inputs are available on Zenodo, with an interactive dashboard at message.sesit.ca for exploring scenarios.
This FAIR-compliant (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) tool empowers policymakers, utilities, and researchers to test custom pathways, fostering a multi-model ecosystem for Canada's energy future.
Scenarios: From Legislated Policies to Net-Zero Ambition
Two core scenarios anchor the analysis:
- Legislated Pathway: Reflects existing federal/provincial policies, like coal phase-out by 2030 (with CCS carve-outs), investment tax credits for clean tech, and Clean Fuel Regulations. Emissions drop but plateau around 200 MtCO2 by 2050, far from net-zero.
- Net-Zero Pathway: Enforces economy-wide net-zero by 2050, optimizing technologies and policies without behavioral shifts or trade barriers. It assumes coordinated deployment, revealing least-cost routes.
Results align with CER's net-zero forecasts but add granularity, showing no system cost premium for net-zero—total investments match legislated levels (~CAD 10 trillion cumulative 2025-2050), just redirected.
National Findings: Emissions Plunge Without Cost Explosion
Under net-zero, emissions tumble from 503 MtCO2 in 2025 to 59 MtCO2 by 2050—a 88% cut, with residuals offset by CCS/BECCS. Cumulative reductions: 5.4 GtCO2, led by transportation (146 Mt, 92%), industry (132 Mt, 78%), and oil/gas supply (decline from 11,100 PJ to 3,300 PJ primary energy).
Electricity surges 50% to 4,487 PJ/year, with wind/solar at 36% share. Final energy demand falls 23% via efficiency, despite GDP growth. Investments shift: fossils down sharply, clean electricity up 113 billion (storage), hydrogen production explodes 230-fold electrolytically.
| Sector | Cumulative Reduction (MtCO2) | % Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation | 145.9 | 91.9% |
| Industry | 132.3 | 78.4% |
| Electricity | 89.9 | 149.2% |
| Oil/Gas Supply | >100 | N/A |
Provincial Variations: Tailored Transitions Essential
Canada's 13 provinces/territories diverge starkly. Resource-heavy Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador face seismic shifts: Alberta's oil extraction drops 88%, investments fall 22% as CCS peaks mid-2030s. Saskatchewan caps demand growth at 9% (vs 37% legislated), pivoting to hydrogen/CCS.
Electricity-rich Quebec, Ontario, BC thrive: Ontario investments +20%, massive grid expansion; Quebec green H2 hub; BC doubles investments for renewables integration. Atlantic provinces vary, with Nova Scotia exceeding 100% reductions via offshore wind/bioenergy.
- Alberta: Hydrogen leader, oil sands CCUS transitional.
- Ontario: Electrification/export powerhouse.
- Quebec: Hydro-fueled H2/electrolyzer boom.
- BC: Efficiency + renewables synergy.
- Saskatchewan: Industrial pivot, demand restraint.
These asymmetries highlight needs: diversification aid for fossil provinces, infrastructure for load centers. For details, explore the study's interactive provincial trajectories.
Breakthrough Technologies Driving Change
Electrification dominates: electricity's final energy share hits 35% nationally (73% transport, 15pp buildings). Clean hydrogen fills hard-to-abate gaps (24% industry). Renewables scale: wind +26 TWh, solar to 614 PJ. Storage/T&D investments balloon for reliability.
CCS transitional (Alberta/Sask peak 2030), BECCS minimal. Efficiency yields 23% demand drop. This portfolio aligns with CER visions: 400 GW clean capacity, H2 at 10 Mt/year net-zero.
Policy Roadmap: Coordination Across Scales
The study urges multi-level action: federal incentives for H2/CCS/grid; provincial tailoring (e.g., Alberta phase-down support, Ontario interties). Risks include delays, trade frictions. Benchmarks against Navius/CER affirm credibility.Read the full paper here. Complements CER's 2026 outlook, where electricity goes net-negative offsetting others.
UVic IESVic: Pioneering Canada's Energy Modeling
IESVic, founded by Prof. David Green, hosts 100+ researchers tackling integrated systems. SESIT, under Assoc. Prof. Madeleine McPherson, birthed MESSAGEix-Canada amid Energy Modelling Hub ($20M federal). Past works: VRE integration, city-scale decarbonization (Regina). Open tools build capacity nationwide.Visit IESVic.
Photo by Richard Burlton on Unsplash
Future Horizons: Tools for Tomorrow's Policymakers
Beyond modeling, SESIT eyes macro links, reliability, trade. Dashboard enables scenario tweaking; join forums via Energy Modelling Hub. As Canada navigates federalism, UVic's work equips leaders for equitable, resilient net-zero.
