Pathway Explorer
There are many technologies, systems, and practices that can deliver incremental emissions reductions. Not all of them are truly compatible with a net-zero future, and fewer still are ready from a technical, social, and economic perspective.
The Pathway Explorer lists 150+ possible pathway elements, assigning a clear signal to each. Click a pathway for the data behind the assessment, or compare multiple elements within a sector to see how they stack up along the different criteria.
Filter
Priority only
| Pathway Elements |
Role in the Net-Zero System |
Signal to Decision-Makers |
Alignment with Carbon Neutrality |
Economic
Viab.
Dev.
|
Technical
Mat.
Op. fit
Infra.
|
Social
Accept.
Relev.
Benefits
|
|---|
Comparison
within —Radar
Comparison: radar
About the Assessments
What is a pathway element?
A specific technology, fuel, practice, or system change that could help drive Canada’s transition to net zero.
What do the scores mean?
Each pathway is rated on three dimensions: economic, technical, and social. Each dimension aggregates several sub-criteria — economic covers viability and development opportunity; technical covers maturity, operational fit, and infrastructure/supply chain suitability; social covers acceptability, stakeholder relevance, and related benefits and costs. Ratings run from Fails to Meets criteria:
- Fails: Does not meet the criteria
- Not promising: Meets the criteria in very limited respects
- Meets in some respect: Partially meets the criteria
- Potentially meets: Meets most of the criteria
- Meets criteria: Fully meets the criteria
Full scoring for each individual sub-criterion is available in the pathway explorer.
What is the role in the net-zero system?
Each pathway element is categorized:
- Decarbonization Pathway – achieves net zero
- Niche Pathway – achieves net zero under specific conditions
- Bridge Pathway – supports but doesn’t achieve net zero alone
- Dead-End – incompatible with net zero
- Enabling – supports other pathways without directly cutting emissions
What do the signals to decision makers mean?
What to do with a pathway today: Deploy (ready now), Enable (needs targeted support), Incubate (early-stage, fund R&D), Don’t Prioritize (monitor only), or Dismiss (redirect attention elsewhere).
Where is the data from?
Scores are grounded in the sources cited throughout each sector assessment, then reviewed by experts and industry stakeholders to confirm how each pathway elements criteria are ranked.
