New report finds carbon emissions continue to rise in Toronto, Hamilton areas
“Climate action is economic action.”
A new report by Toronto-based climate agency The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) says carbon emissions continue to rise in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTHA), going from 54.1 to 54.7 million tonnes between 2023 and 2024, an increase of just over 1 per cent.
The agency says emissions are headed the wrong way, positioning the GTHA “well behind” the 11 per cent annual reduction needed to reach its 2030 targets.
But it isn’t all bad news: Per capita emissions declined by 3 per cent during this period despite the population growing by 300,000 people.
Buildings and transportation remain the largest emission sources, at 45 per cent and around 35 per cent, respectively. Industrial emissions account for about 13 per cent, a slight decline over 2023. Waste is responsible for about 3 per cent of emissions, followed by agriculture at 1 per cent.
TAF recommends a variety of initiatives to help the area meet its climate goals, including offering incentives to construct green buildings, encouraging the use of electric vehicles, and reducing government “red tape” that delays the rollout of climate-friendly initiatives.
Carbon emissions rising worldwide
Despite significant advancements in clean energy, carbon emissions continue to rise globally.
An October 2025 report by the World Meteorological Organization found that between 2023 and 2024, the global average concentration of carbon dioxide, or CO2, emissions rose by 3.5 parts per million–– representing the largest increase since recording started in 1957.
Heat-trapping carbon emissions are creating more extreme weather events, including increasingly intense storms and wildfires. Warming water levels put countless species at risk and, on land, unpredictable weather variables make it difficult for farmers to plan their crops.
“Climate action is economic action,” Julia Langer, CEO of TAF, says in a statement.
“Every retrofit, every electric vehicle, every clean energy investment creates jobs, drives innovation, lowers energy bills, and builds resilience. Recent climate policy and funding rollbacks are concerning, revealing that our leaders aren’t getting the message—smart policies and investments deliver returns across affordability, housing, and mobility—and reduce carbon.”
Header image: File photo via Canva Pro.
