Culture: Committed to net zero?
Exploring provincial differences in current and anticipated commitments by organizations and businesses in the arts, heritage, and entertainment
Two weeks ago, I examined Canada-wide data on environmental practices in the arts, heritage, and entertainment in 2024. Today, I analyze provincial data on organizations’ plans for net zero emissions. Next week, I’ll examine provincial data on other environmental practices as well as organizations’ plans to implement new practices over the next year.
In every province, fewer than one-half of organizations in the arts, heritage, and entertainment currently have or are considering a commitment to net zero emissions. In most provinces, the proportion of organizations considering a net zero commitment is larger than the proportion that already has such a commitment.
I decided to split the provincial analysis into two parts to provide a bit more analysis of two different surveys. 2024 might be the only year with (separate) data on net zero emissions, as Statistics Canada’s business survey in early 2025 does not include that question (as it did in 2024). My hope is that StatsCan will incorporate the net zero question into its summer survey on other environmental practices. Fingers crossed.
Details about the survey and its questions are provided at the end of the post.
How many arts, heritage, and entertainment in each province are committed to net zero?
In early 2024, Statistics Canada asked businesses and organizations about their commitments to achieving net zero emissions. Respondents were asked whether they currently have such a commitment or are considering one. The survey did not ask businesses and organizations what actions, if any, they have already taken to try to achieve net zero.
In Canada, 34% of organizations and businesses in the arts, heritage, and entertainment currently have (14%) or are considering (20%) a commitment to net zero carbon emissions. These percentages vary significantly across the provinces, as shown in the following analysis.