Canada

Index rank 03

Energy Sustainability Index Rankings

 2010  2011  2012  Trend
Energy Performance  1  1  1 
Energy Security  1  1  1 
Social Equity  2  2  2 
Environmental Impact Mitigation  13  12  12 
       
Contextual Performance  12  11  14 
Political Strength  12  8  10 
Societal Strength  9  7  10 
Economic Strength  24  33  40 
       
Overall Rank  2  1  3 
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Fossil Fuel Resources

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Key Metrics

Industrial sector (% of GDP) 27.1
TPEP / TPEC  (net energy exporter) 1.40
Emission intensity (kg CO2 per USD) 1.72
Energy affordability (USD per kWh) 0.09
GDP / capita (PPP, USD); GDP Group 39,154 (A)
Energy intensity (million BTU per USD) 0.04
CO2 emissions (metric tons) / capita) 15.88
Population Access to Electricity (%) 100.0
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Index Commentary

Canada overall maintains its position in the top three balancing the energy trilemma very well. Canada’s scores are very strong across all indicators that drive energy security and social equity. Good environmental performance is achieved despite high levels of energy and emissions intensity per GDP per capita, as Canada exhibits a lower environmental footprint than its peers. Canada experiences slight drops in political, societal and economic performance. Contextual performance overall remains strong.

Trends and Outlook

Canada’s high and improving position in the Index reflects the country’s extensive and diverse energy resource base and public and private commitment to develop those resources. The two main challenges Canada faces are: 1) balancing resource development with environmental protection; and 2) developing diverse markets for Canada’s energy resources. The most recent energy policy developments include: 1) strong focus on developing markets for oil and gas beyond North America; 2) expediting energy infrastructure approvals processes; and 3) more stringent environmental standards for fossil-fuelled power generation, both federally and provincially. These three developments should support continuing improvement in Canada’s energy balance. The three key future trends/issues that policymakers must focus on are: 1) managing the environmental/climate impacts of energy resource development; 2) market diversification; and 3) ensuring an appropriate sharing of the benefits from resource development, most notably with Canada’s aboriginal population in whose traditional territory most resource development and delivery projects are being developed.

Notes

1) Data for shale gas resources not available; 2) Data for shale oil is for resources in place