Plan Zero

An independent research project to understand how Canada might achieve
zero net emissions.

Mar 31, 2026

Enteric Fermentation: Emissions Calculations

Seventh in the sector-by-sector National Greenhouse Gas Inventory series: enteric fermentation, the emission of methane from the digestive systems of all livestock, but especially ruminants, and most especially cattle.

Mar 30, 2026

Cars and Trucks: Emissions Calculations

Sixth in the sector-by-sector National Greenhouse Gas Inventory series: energy to power light-duty gasoline cars and trucks (including SUVs, minivans, and cargo vans). A transition to EVs seems to be the sector's clearest pathway to decarbonization.

Mar 26, 2026

Residential Stationary Combustion Sources: Emissions Calculations

Fifth in the sector-by-sector National Greenhouse Gas Inventory series: residential stationary combustion. Energy from stationary combustion within residential buildings is used predominantly to heat living spaces and provide hot water. Heat-pumps and ongoing insulation improvements promise a viable pathway to decarbonization in this sector.

Mar 11, 2026

Stationary Combustion to Extract Oil and Gas: Emissions Calculations

Fourth in the sector-by-sector series on the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory computation: stationary combustion sources involved in the extraction of oil and gas. Energy from stationary combustion is used directly and indirectly to drive pumps, compressors, separators, and diverse aspects of conventional wells, gathering systems, gas plants, and bitumen upgrading operations.

Mar 02, 2026

Oil and Natural Gas Venting: Emissions Calculations

Third in the sector-by-sector series on the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory computation: the venting of emissions from oil and gas systems. Venting refers to the intentional or engineered release of greenhouse gases across within the oil and gas sector. The re-engineering of the sector to avoid such releases is well underway, but venting still accounts for 5.5% of Canada's annual emissions total, at least as of 2023.

Feb 22, 2026

Emissions calculations for Harvested Wood Products and Forest Land

Second in the sector-by-sector National Greenhouse Gas Inventory computation: Harvested Wood Products and Forest Land. Data from Natural Resources Canada on harvested wood volume supports a satisfactory estimate of Harvested Wood Products emissions, and a first step toward a Forest Land estimate.

Feb 12, 2026

Emission calculations for Public Electricity and Heat

The first in a series of posts replicating the sector-by-sector computation of Canada's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Public Electricity and Heat. As it is first, it also introduces the sectors of the IPCC reporting guidelines, and the 71 sectors with which Canada reports its greenhouse gas inventory.

Feb 02, 2026

Paris Accords and the CNZEAA

A brief introduction to the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, the federal implementation of Canada’s obligations under the Paris Accords.

Jan 21, 2026

A Model of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

What are greenhouse gases and what do they have to do with climate? This is, I hope, the first post in a series developing various plans to achieve a net-zero economy in Canada. It outlines the terms in which net-zero is defined, and documents planzero's simple climate model.

Jan 06, 2026

Contributing (even for myself)

Coming back from the winter break, I thought I'd write about how I myself should contribute to this site; partly to get back in gear, and partly to encourage collaboration.