Toronto
With a population of almost 2.8 million, the City of Toronto is Canada’s largest city.
Total 2023 carbon emissions: 15.2 MtCO2eq
% of GTHA carbon emissions: 28%
Population (2023): 2,941,003
% of GTHA population: 39%
Land Area: 631 km2
Emissions by Region:
AllDurhamHaltonHamiltonPeelTorontoYork

2023 Regional Insights

Toronto Region Total Emissions, 2018-2023
  • Total emissions increased by 1.5% and reached 15.2 Mt, approaching the 2019 levels. The transportation sector was the biggest driver for this increase (up 5.4%).
Toronto Region Per Capita Emissions, 2018-2023
  • Per capita emissions decreased by 2.6% to 5.2 tCO2eq/person.
Toronto Region 2023 Emissions by Sector
  • The building sector represents nearly 60% of total emissions in Toronto. Building emissions decreased slightly (1%) in 2023, largely due to a warmer winter and the subsequent decrease in natural gas use by 5% (2023 had 12% fewer heating degree days). Natural gas in the residential and commercial sectors decreased by 7% and 3%, respectively.
  • Although electricity consumption decreased by 0.8%, the rise of electricity emissions (29%) was driven by the increase in carbon intensity of the provincial grid.
  • The total walking distance travelled increased by 2%, and the number of trips increased by 8%. Cycling trips also increased by 4% while the total distance travelled remained close to 2022 levels.
  • Toronto saw a moderate rise in electric vehicle registrations in 2023, 20,804 EVs (up 46%) and 6,503 PHEVs (up 28%).
  • Scope 3 aviation emissions at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport increased by 4% from 74,215 tCO2eq (2022) to 77,139 tCO2eq (2023). These aviation emissions, however, are not solely attributable to Toronto, as Billy Bishop serves passengers from the entire region.

Innovation in Toronto

  • City of Toronto is developing a building emissions performance standards bylaw to decarbonize the existing building stock, improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort. The City of Vancouver was the first Canadian city to introduce building performance standards, and Toronto is working hard to become the first in the GTHA.
  • City of Toronto approved a plan for public electric vehicle charging to support the rollout of charging infrastructure.
Policy Tracker
Policies being adopted in real time
Done
Exists at Local Level
In Progress
Not Initiated
Mandatory Green Development StandardsExisting Building Performance StandardsElectric Vehicle StrategyBuilding Retrofit Programs
Toronto