Canola: Canada’s ideal resource for clean, renewable fuels
Canadian canola is used in biofuel production around the world because it’s a low-carbon, sustainable and renewable resource – and it’s in abundant supply.
Canola-based biofuel can be used by passenger vehicles and trucks, as well as off-road equipment used in mining, forestry, construction, agriculture and marine industries.1
Most importantly, biofuels are ready to use right now. That’s a clear advantage over other technologies requiring gradual adoption.
Demand for biofuels is growing as the world moves to decarbonize transportation fuels, which account for 25 per cent of total GHG emissions, both globally and in Canada. Alongside the environmental benefits, canola-based biofuels are growing opportunities to increase value-added processing and diversify markets, increasing value to growers and the entire industry. Learn more in the fact sheet:
Canola-based biofuels: Driving benefits for Canadian farmers, the environment and our economy
Webinar – Driving Demand: What the Clean Fuel Regulations mean for Canadian canola farmers
On February 21, 2024, the CCC, alongside the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Alberta Canola, SaskCanola and the Manitoba Canola Growers hosted a webinar on the Clean Fuel Regulations. Watch the recording to learn more about what these regulations mean and the opportunities they present for farmers.
Learn more about:
How canola helps the environment
Plants take in carbon dioxide and turn it into oil and protein that we can use for food and fuel. The sustainable practices used by Canadian farmers also allow the canola plant to sequester carbon in the soil, preventing it from becoming a greenhouse gas (GHG). This means that compared to other fuels, canola-based biofuels significantly lower GHG emissions. In fact, canola-based biofuel reduces lifecycle GHG emissions by up to 90 per cent compared to traditional diesel. 2
Learn more about how canola reduces GHGs in the atmosphere.
Making a difference in Canada
How more canola biofuels can reduce Canada’s GHG emissions
Canada faces an emissions challenge.
Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulation (CFR) took effect on July 1, 2023, with the objective to reduce the carbon intensity of liquid fossil fuels used in Canada. This mandate is expected to reduce GHG emissions by more than 20 megatonnes, helping Canada meet its commitment to reduce total emissions by 40-45 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels.
Renewable fuel standards that reward low-carbon biofuels are integral to helping Canada achieve its emissions-reduction targets and transition to a low-carbon economy. Today, diesel fuel in Canada must contain 2 per cent biofuel, and even at this modest level, canola-based biofuels help reduce annual GHG emissions by 4.4 megatonnes. 3
The CFR is expected to support greater use of canola-based biofuels, leading to further GHG reductions. In fact, annual emissions could be reduced by 3.5 mega-tonnes. 4
Benefits for all Canadians
Canola-based biofuel doesn’t just help Canada in its fight against climate change—it helps the Canadian economy by creating jobs and opportunity. Learn more about canola’s economic impact and contributions to social and economic sustainability.
Canola-based biofuels are made from crops grown by approximately 40,000 Canadian farmers.
More canola-based biofuel use means more jobs, investment and expertise stay in Canada.
Canadian canola contributes $43.7 billion to our economy, supporting 206,000 jobs. 5
Resources
- Canola-based biofuels: Driving benefits for Canadian farmers, the environment and our economy – Fact sheet, January 2024
- Canola Biodiesel Lifecycle Analysis Report – This analysis demonstrates that canola biodiesel reduces lifecycle greenhouse gases by 90 per cent compared fossil diesel. Canadian canola production methods and data were used to determine the energy balance and GHG emissions.
- Lifecycle Analysis Canola Biodiesel – Presentation by Don O-Connor, (S&T)2 Consultants Inc., at the Canola Research Summit on April 13, 2011.
Advantages of canola-based biofuels
Proven: Already delivering tangible emission reductions in Canada, the U.S. and the EU
Efficient: Able to reduce GHG lifecycle emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil diesel
Sustainable: Grown by farmers who are world leaders in sustainable practices
Ready: Plentiful canola supply to accommodate increased demand
Footnotes
- Health Canada. 2012. Human Health Risk Assessment for Biodiesel Production, Distribution and Use in Canada. 56-70, 91-106.[↩]
- O’Connor, D. 2011. Lifecycle Analysis Canola Biodiesel, (S&T)2 Consultants Inc. 22.[↩]
- Wolinetz, M., Hein, M. 2017. Biofuels in Canada 2017, Tracking biofuel consumption, feedstocks and avoided greenhouse gas emissions. Navius Research Inc. ii,15, 22.[↩]
- Assuming 5% canola-based biofuel content in diesel fuel.[↩]
- GlobalData Plc, The Economic Impact of Canola on the Canadian Economy: 2024 Update[↩]
