Kiera Jefferson
Toronto, Canada's financial district, is known for its production and export of metals, vehicles, chemicals, and machinery. The city's air quality index (AQI) is currently moderate, with a PM2.5 reading of 63, which falls within the World Health Organization's target bracket for the best air quality. While Toronto's air quality is considered good, certain areas with high traffic volumes and industrial emissions witness greater pollution levels, causing health concerns among residents. The city's greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2022, and its current pace of emissions reduction may not meet its 2025 targets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall Air Quality Index | 53 (Moderate) |
| PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) | 63 |
| PM10 (respirable particulate matter) | N/A |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | 15 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | 1 |
| O3 (ozone) | 28 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | 3 |
| Population | 2.7 million or more |
| Year-round average (2019) | 7.4 μg/m³ |
| Worst month for air quality in 2019 | February (17.2 μg/m³) |
| Number of premature deaths per year due to air pollution | 1,300 |
| Number of hospitalizations per year due to air pollution | 3,550 |
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What You'll Learn
Toronto's air quality is moderate, with an AQI of 53
Toronto's air quality is currently moderate, with an AQI of 53. This indicates that while the air quality is acceptable, certain pollutants may be a concern for some sensitive individuals. For example, those with asthma may experience symptoms such as frequent wheezing, noticeable shortness of breath, chest tightness, and persistent cough when the AQI is in the moderate range.
Toronto, a center for finance and business, is also known for its mass production and export of metals, vehicles, chemicals, and machinery. As with any heavily populated city with such industries, there are bound to be pollution-related issues. The city's large and growing population means that much of its pollution stems from anthropogenic activities, particularly mass movement and transit. Areas with high volumes of traffic, such as busy motorways and city roads, often have hazardous levels of chemical compounds and particulate matter. These pollutants come from cars, motorcycles, trucks, lorries, and buses, many of which run on diesel fuel.
In addition to vehicle emissions, factory and industrial area emissions contribute significantly to Toronto's air pollution. These emissions are tied to the heating of homes and businesses during the long and cold winters, with much of the fuel used coming from fossil sources such as coal. The industrial areas and factories themselves also produce large volumes of novel pollutants, depending on what is being produced on-site.
Toronto's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased in 2022, with community-wide emissions of 15.5 megatonnes (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This represented a 5% increase over the previous year. The largest contributors to these emissions were natural gas heating in residential buildings (29%) and gasoline combustion in passenger vehicles (23%). While emissions were 36% lower than 1990 levels, the current pace of emissions reductions is unlikely to meet the city's 2025 targets. To achieve its goals, Toronto must continue to scale up its GHG emissions reduction programs and initiatives.
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The city's pollution stems from anthropogenic activities
Toronto, Canada's financial district, is home to a variety of industries, including media, tech, and the industrial sector. The city produces and exports a range of metals, vehicles, chemicals, and machinery worldwide. As with any densely populated city with such industries, pollution-related issues are inevitable. In 2019, Toronto's PM2.5 average was 7.4 μg/m³, meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target for the best air quality. This reading is impressive for a large city, placing Toronto among the least polluted cities globally.
However, Toronto's air quality still poses some health concerns related to pollution. The city's pollution primarily stems from anthropogenic activities, specifically mass movement and transit. Areas with heavy traffic, including busy motorways and city roads, exhibit high levels of hazardous chemical compounds and particulate matter, impacting both ground-level and atmospheric air quality.
Toronto has a well-developed public transport infrastructure, but many residents continue to rely on personal vehicles like cars and motorbikes, as well as trucks, lorries, and buses, which often run on diesel fuels that emit higher levels of pollution. Additionally, the city's factory and industrial area emissions contribute significantly to pollution, especially during the long and cold winters when heating demands are high. The energy used for heating often comes from fossil sources, such as coal, further exacerbating the pollution levels.
To address these issues, Toronto has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The city's emissions in 2022 were 15.5 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a slight increase from the previous year. The primary sources of these emissions were natural gas heating in residential buildings (29%) and gasoline combustion in passenger vehicles (23%). To meet its goals, Toronto must accelerate its GHG emissions reduction programs to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
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Toronto's GHG emissions increased in 2022
Toronto, Canada's financial district, is known for its mass production and export of metals, vehicles, chemicals, and machinery. The city has a well-developed public transport system, but many people still commute using personal vehicles, contributing to pollution levels. In addition, factory and industrial area emissions, particularly during the long winters, add to the city's pollution.
In 2022, Toronto's community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased to 15.5 megatonnes (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), a five per cent rise from the 14.8 MT CO2e emitted in 2021. This increase was due to a slightly cooler winter, resulting in more gas use for heating. The sources contributing the largest percentage of emissions were fossil (natural) gas heating in residential buildings (29%) and gasoline combustion in passenger vehicles (23%). Overall, community-wide emissions have been decreasing since 1990, with emissions in 2022 being 36% lower than in 1990.
The 2022 inventory results indicate a slight increase in emissions across the city, but they remain consistent with an overall downward trend. However, the current pace of emissions reductions is insufficient to meet the city's 2025 targets of a 45% reduction from 1990 levels. To achieve this target, a 2.1 MT CO2e reduction in annual emissions is required, equivalent to removing 58% of gas-powered cars or converting 83% of single-family homes from fossil gas heating to electric heat pumps.
The city's 2022 Sector-Based Emissions Inventory (SBEI) identifies three key sectors contributing to GHG emissions: buildings, transportation, and waste. The total emissions from passenger cars and trucks increased by three per cent, while waste sector emissions, primarily from landfills, contributed about nine per cent of community-wide emissions. Corporate emissions from city-owned buildings, vehicle fleets, waste, and water supply and wastewater treatment were approximately five per cent of Toronto's community-wide emissions.
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The primary sources of emissions are natural gas heating and gasoline combustion
Toronto, Canada's financial district, is home to a variety of industries, including media, tech, and the industrial sector. The city produces and exports a variety of metals, vehicles, chemicals, and machinery worldwide. As with any heavily populated city with such industries, Toronto faces pollution-related issues. In 2019, Toronto's PM2.5 average was 7.4 μg/m³, meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target bracket for the best quality of air.
The primary sources of emissions in Toronto are natural gas heating and gasoline combustion. According to the 2022 Sector-Based Emissions Inventory (SBEI), natural gas heating in residential buildings accounted for 29% of Toronto's community-wide emissions, while gasoline combustion in passenger vehicles contributed 23%. The city aims to reduce its use of fossil fuels for heating and power vehicles through initiatives such as converting homes from natural gas heating to electric heat pumps.
Natural gas consumption for heating buildings is the largest source of community-wide GHG emissions in Toronto. The city experiences long and cold winters, increasing the demand for heating energy. The industrial areas and factories also contribute to emissions, with some running on polluting fuel sources like coal. Additionally, they release novel pollutants based on their production processes.
Gasoline combustion in passenger vehicles is the second-largest source of emissions in Toronto. The city has a well-developed public transport system, but many people still commute in personal vehicles, contributing to pollution levels. Heavy-duty vehicles like trucks, lorries, and buses, often running on diesel fuel, further add to the pollution.
To meet its emissions reduction targets, Toronto must accelerate its progress. Achieving the 2025 goal would require removing 58% of gas-powered cars or converting 83% of single-family homes from natural gas heating to electric alternatives. The city has existing policies, such as the corporate carbon budget, enabling immediate action to reduce emissions from buildings and transportation.
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Toronto is recognised for its climate action leadership
Toronto, Canada's financial district, is a highly populated city with a variety of industries, including finance, media, tech, and the industrial sector. As such, the city has had to grapple with pollution-related issues. However, Toronto is recognised for its climate action leadership, as it actively works to reduce its environmental impact and address climate change.
In 2024, Toronto was recognised by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Cities "A" List for its leadership and transparency in addressing climate change. The CDP is an environmental impact non-profit organisation that assesses cities' climate action plans and their effectiveness. Toronto's climate action strategy, TransformTO, has been pivotal in this recognition.
TransformTO, unanimously approved by the City Council in 2017, outlines a comprehensive set of long-term, low-carbon goals and strategies to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The plan focuses on creating a greener city with more sustainable buildings, vehicles, and transit systems. According to the City's Greenhouse Gas Inventory, community-wide GHG emissions in Toronto were 38% lower in 2019 than in 2009, showcasing the positive impact of TransformTO.
Despite this progress, Toronto's GHG emissions increased in 2022, with the primary sources being natural gas heating in residential buildings (29%) and gasoline combustion in passenger vehicles (23%). To meet its ambitious targets, the city must accelerate its GHG emissions reduction programs. The TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, adopted in 2021, reinforces this commitment, aiming for net-zero emissions community-wide by 2040, one of the most ambitious targets in North America.
To achieve this goal, Toronto is taking a multifaceted approach. The Local Emissions for Net Zero (LENZ) modelling suite is being used to inform decision-making, testing actions and policies that support the transition to net zero. Additionally, the Climate Action and Resiliency Research Fund (CARRF) has been established to support research and program development projects related to climate action and resilience. Furthermore, the city is engaging its youth in climate action through a collaborative strategy with the University of Toronto, recognising the importance of intergenerational involvement.
Toronto's proactive approach to climate action leadership demonstrates its commitment to creating a sustainable future for its residents and businesses. While challenges remain, the city's efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate are being recognised globally.
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Frequently asked questions
The air quality in Toronto is considered moderate, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 53 as of 21 June 2025. While the air quality is generally good, there are certain aspects that can cause health issues related to pollution, particularly in areas with high volumes of traffic.
The main sources of pollution in Toronto are personal vehicles, such as cars and motorcycles, as well as heavy-duty vehicles like trucks, lorries, and buses, which often run on diesel fuels. Additionally, factory and industrial area emissions, including the heating of homes and businesses during the winter, contribute to the pollution levels.
In 2019, Toronto had a PM2.5 average of 7.4 μg/m³, meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target for the best quality of air. This puts Toronto and Canada in the upper echelons of the least polluted cities and countries globally.
Toronto has set ambitious targets for reducing sector-based emissions, aiming for a 45% reduction by 2025, 65% by 2030, and net zero by 2040. However, the city's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased in 2022, and the current pace of emissions reductions is unlikely to meet the 2025 target. Toronto has been recognised for its leadership and transparency on climate action, receiving an "A" rating on the 2024 Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Cities list.
