These fuels, when burned, release emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, all of which are greenhouse gases. In general, the more energy Canadians use, the more greenhouse gas emissions we produce and the greater the impact on global climate change.
Several factors affect how much energy is used in the Canadian economy.
By promoting improved energy efficiency, the OEE's programs are helping Canada reduce its output of greenhouse gas emissions. Between 1990 and 1998, the amount of energy used by Canadians to heat and cool their homes and workplaces and to operate their appliances, vehicles and facilities, including the energy used to generate electricity, increased by about 9 percent. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with this energy use increased by about 10 percent. Impact of Other Factors Affecting Energy Use Canada's increased energy use between 1990 and 1998 was primarily due to growth in economic activity in each end-use sector. For example, activity in the industrial sector increased by 16.5 percent during this period.