Ontario Announces Results of November Cap and Trade Program Auction

Ontario has announced the results of the province’s fourth auction of greenhouse gas emission allowances, held Nov. 29, 2017.

A total of 20,898,000 current (2017) allowances were sold at a settlement price of $17.38 CAD and a total of 3,116,700 future (2020) greenhouse gas emission allowances were sold at a settlement price of $18.89 CAD. The auction generated an estimated $422,081,073 in proceeds, which by law will be invested in programs that will reduce greenhouse gas pollution and help families and businesses reduce their own emissions through the Climate Change Action Plan.

” The goal of Ontario’s carbon market is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our largest sources of pollution. The proceeds generated are being invested into Ontario’s economy through programs and projects that will do even more to reduce greenhouse gases, and help people in their everyday lives,” said Chris Ballard Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

Proceeds from the province’s carbon market auctions are funding programs in 2017-18 that help people and businesses across Ontario reduce pollution, including: $64 million to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases and redirect savings into patient care at 98 hospitals across the province; up to $377 million to establish the Green Ontario Fund to help homeowners and businesses save money and fight climate change through programs and rebates; up to $657 million for repairs and improvements to social housing apartment buildings over five years, contingent on carbon market proceeds and $200 million for public school energy improvements . Also there is a provision  up to $100 million to support municipalities in fighting climate change through projects such as renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements .

These recent investments build upon $100 million to help homeowners make home energy upgrades, $20 million to install a network of fast-charging electric vehicle stations, $92 million for social housing upgrades, nearly $100 million to help businesses adopt low-carbon technology, and $13 million to support clean economic growth in First Nations communities, $8 million to launch a new pilot program to help fund the purchase of electric school buses, over $1 million to improve ecosystem health in urban and rural communities across the province.