Canadian Canola Growers Association

Canola Biofuels - Growing Low Carbon Solutions

​Our renewable future now.

Canola-based biofuels emit up to 90% less GHG emissions than fossil diesel, reducing emissions in Canada's transport sector.

There are currently no other viable, low-carbon energy alternatives for heavy duty diesel vehicles, including tractors and transport trucks. 

Canola is certified sustainable. It's the only Canadian crop certified by ISCC, a global sustainability certification system.

​Canola biofuel creates new domestic demand for farmers' crops and supports jobs and investment in Canada's processing sector.

Canadian canola is a high-quality biodiesel feedstock used in Canada, the United States and the European Union. Together, these three regions use approximately 1.5 million tonnes of Canadian canola in renewable diesel annually.

In Canada, the Renewable Fuels Regulation currently mandates that renewable diesel make up 2% of the total diesel supply. An increase in renewable diesel, such as from 2% to 5%, would:​

Decrease the environmental footprint from heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Offer immediate greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions at a low cost (currently, wholesale prices of diesel and biodiesel in western Canada are equal).


​​Help diversify the canola market for farmers. Create new domestic demand for crops.


Spur investment. Provide regulatory stability that will support jobs and investment in Canada's processing sector.

An increase in the renewable content to 5% of the diesel pool1 would use 1.3 million metric tonnes of canola in Canada and reduce GHG emissions by 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

Canada grows around 20 million tonnes of canola each year, making it readily available and more than enough to meet increased demand. Our target is to sustainably grow 26 million tonnes of canola by 2025.

Canadian canola production is environmentally sustainable and efficient.

  • The crop meets sustainability criteria in the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive.
  • It is an approved feedstock under the United States' Renewable Fuel Standard.
  • It is the only Canadian crop certified as sustainable by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification system.

Biofuels are a cleaner energy option for heavy-duty diesel vehicles. There are currently no other viable, low-carbon energy alternatives for these vehicles, including tractors and transport trucks. Increasing renewable content would offer quantifiable environmental and economic benefits, including providing support to allow for suspension of the carbon tax increase.

 

​​​Answers to frequently asked Biofuels Questions >>>

NOTE​
1 Assuming canola's current 40% share of the feedstock mix is maintained.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​