science
New Brunswick adopts federal carbon price changes for industrial emitters
The province will apply new federal industrial carbon pricing rules that lower the required price trajectory and extend timelines. Officials said the change creates a uniform standard across provinces.
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New Brunswick will implement federal industrial carbon pricing rules that lower the required price and extend compliance timelines to match an agreement reached with Alberta. Officials said the change creates a uniform standard across provinces and replaces an earlier commitment to impose a more stringent system on the province's 15 largest emitters.
Federal standard changes The federal pricing standard previously required provinces to reach a carbon price of $170 per tonne by 2030. Under the new terms, the price must reach $140 per tonne by 2040, and the 2025 price was lowered to $95 per tonne from $110. The same terms took effect for all provinces on May 15.
Provincial response Officials stated the lower price trajectory will support goals of keeping power rates affordable and promoting economic growth. A researcher with the Canadian Climate Institute said the change will require provinces to recalibrate their systems and raises questions about how different calculation methods will translate across jurisdictions.
Emissions data Federal data show total emissions from the 15 largest industrial facilities rose from 5.9 million tonnes in 2023 to 6.4 million tonnes in 2024. Carbon credits issued under the output-based pricing system increased to 80,346 from 25,319 over the same period. A utility spokesperson said higher compliance costs in 2024 were partly due to the carbon price reaching $80 per tonne.
