Canada has one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world. In 2016, about 80 percent of Canada’s electricity came from zero-emitting sources like conventional hydropower, wind, solar, and nuclear. Canada has set a goal of increasing the share of zero-emitting sources to 90 percent by 2030.

Four Canadian provinces require electricity utilities to deliver a certain amount of electricity from renewable or alternative energy sources. The requirements range from modest to ambitious, and qualifying energy sources vary. Most of these requirements take the form of legislative mandated targets. One province has renewable energy objective, which is not generally legally binding as a target.

Although climate change may not be the primary motivator behind these requirements, the use of renewable and clean energy can deliver significant greenhouse gas reductions.