Planning to Fail: A Case Study of Canada’s Fertilizer Based Emission Reduction Target
Review of Canada’s fertilizer reduction target finds flaws in design and measurement, offering policy recommendations for realistic emissions goals.
Target setting is an important step in the development of public policy.
Targets provides a clear indication of the government's policy objectives and priorities. They also provide stakeholders clear policy direction, enabling them to plan, monitor, and deliver on policy objectives.
To be effective targets need to be well-defined, measurable, and achievable. This report examines the Government of Canada’s fertilizer-based emission reduction target using the criteria for effective targets. This report conducts a review the targets announcement and consultation, Industry repose to the target, and the methodology used to monitor success.
This report concludes that while the targets goals of improving efficiency and optimizing nitrogen use are laudable, the measurement use make meeting the target impossible without reductions in nitrogen fertilizer, an action strongly opposed by producers and counter to the targets goal. Lastly the report provides suggestions as to where the methodology could be improved and areas to priorities in the short and long terms to be able to effectively set emission-based targets for 2050.
By Joshua Bourassa, Nataliia Arman, Hanan Ishaque, Guillaume Lhermie
Published April 2023.