Traditional territory of the Wabanaki Peoples/Fredericton –
Newly released emissions numbers show that New Brunswick’s climate progress is moving in the wrong direction, and new heavy-emitting projects on the horizon could make the situation even worse.
New numbers for 2024, the latest which are available, show greenhouse gas emissions in New Brunswick rose from around 11.5 million tonnes in 2023 to about 12.8 million tonnes in 2024, an 11.4 per cent jump in a single year.
Instead of cutting pollution when we need it most, the province has become more emissions-intensive, relying more heavily on fossil fuels while generating less electricity. At the same time, major new projects are being proposed that would lock in even more pollution for years to come.
That includes a planned data centre in Lorneville, which would produce an estimated 755,000 tonnes of emissions every year. That would make it one of the top three polluters in New Brunswick. The proposed Tantramar diesel plant could also rank among the province’s largest emitters, depending on how often it runs.
Together, these projects risk pushing emissions even higher at a time when they need to fall quickly.
“New Brunswick is going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Moe Qureshi, director of climate research and policy at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. “Emissions are rising, and instead of turning that around, we’re considering projects that would make the problem worse.”
A step backward
The new numbers show how fragile progress has become. Emissions from the electricity sector jumped nearly 38 per cent, driven by greater reliance on fossil fuels, while coal use at the Belledune station alone rose by nearly 50 per cent.
The result is a system that is both more polluting and less efficient. The province generated 16.5 per cent less electricity than the year before, yet emissions still increased significantly.
Meanwhile, the province’s largest industrial emitters are the exact same faces we’ve seen on this list time and time again. The Irving Oil refinery continues to be the single biggest source of climate pollution, releasing nearly three million tonnes in 2024, and major fossil fuel power plants and other industrial facilities also remain among the top polluters.
Together, these polluters show how a small number of facilities continue to drive a large share of emissions in New Brunswick.
While this concerning trend continues, the climate impacts of rising emissions are already being felt by New Brunswickers. The province’s own climate risk assessment points to increasing threats from flooding, extreme weather and other climate change-related events, all while electricity costs rise, with rates up about 30 per cent over the past three years and expected to increase further.
“These choices have real consequences,” said Qureshi. “They affect people’s power bills and the risks they face from climate change.”
Instead of expanding fossil fuel use, the province should focus on building more renewable energy, expanding energy efficiency programs and modernizing the electricity system to make it more reliable and affordable. New Brunswick risks locking itself into higher costs and greater climate impacts if it doesn’t shift direction. The recent comprehensive review of N.B. Power highlighted the need to change the way we approach our energy sector, focusing on sustainability and affordability, to avoid digging a deeper hole.
The full list of New Brunswick’s top greenhouse gas emitters for 2024 is available on the Conservation Council of New Brunswick’s website.
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Moe Qureshi, Director of Climate Research and Policy, Conservation Council of New Brunswick | moe.qureshi@conservationcouncil.ca | 506-458-8747