Unceded Kanien’kehà:ka Nation Territories [Tiohtià:ke/Montréal], 19 June 2025 :
Today, the Quebec government published its 2025-2030 Implementation Plan for the 2030 Green Economy Plan (PMO5). At the halfway point of the critical decade for climate action, when bold change is needed, Quebec is instead treading water.
The new plan announces a $10.1 billion budget over five years for climate action, adaptation, and decarbonization. The funding is mainly based on its carbon market revenues, which remain the cornerstone of the Quebec model. Quantity of funding alone, however, is not enough; it must be matched by the quality, consistency, and ambition of the measures planned. Despite the consolidation of certain programs and a record budget, this plan lacks an innovative approach and does not put the province on the path required to achieve its climate targets.
While the government mentions the potential impacts of the current unstable economic and political context several times in the plan, that does not justify the rollbacks of certain climate targets nor the absence of transformational changes. The PMO5 estimates that the measures defined and financed now cover 65% of the 2030 reduction target, compared to 67% in the previous plan (2024-2029). Halfway through this critical decade, this decline is worrying and raises doubts about the province’s ability to meet its climate commitments—especially as it is also followed by a decrease in expected reductions in the key sectors of transportation, industry, and agriculture.
The government is highlighting the change in the adaptation budget, now at $1.3 billion, as a major increase since the very first action plan for 2013-2020. In reality, the budget is only increasing by $68 million compared to last year (+8%), while reforestation after the 2023 forest fires alone cost $200 million.
Despite the financial emphasis on adaptation, there are few new structural measures, while health also remains at the margins. The Nature 2030 Plan is mentioned without any announcement of new targets or strong integration of nature into the climate strategy, despite the advocacy of civil society and Quebec’s international commitments.
The emissions cap-and-trade system (SPEDE) remains the main lever, covering 80% of emissions reductions. The PMO5 mentions that the SPEDE will be modified by the end of 2025, but without further details or a clear signal of ambitious reform, even though the context calls for more effective and equitable carbon pricing.
In the coming months, the Quebec government will begin a review of its climate target, which is currently insufficient to meet its fair share of global emissions reductions. Climate Action Network member organizations will continue to call for greater ambition, rooted in science and climate justice.
Leïla Cantave, Quebec Lead, Climate Action Network Canada, said:
“While promising to move us forward, the Implementation Plan just runs around in circles. It doesn’t put Quebec on track to meet its climate commitments. Halfway to 2030, we’re still lacking an ambitious vision and plan to get where we need to go.”
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Canada’s farthest-reaching network of organizations working on climate and energy issues, Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada is a coalition of over 180 organizations operating from coast to coast to coast. Our membership brings environmental groups together with trade unions, First Nations, social justice, development, health and youth organizations, faith groups and local, grassroots initiatives.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Vicky Coo, Communications Manager
comms@climateactionnetwork.ca