This report is the Pembina Institute's fourth review of corporate action on climate change in Canada. It represents a change in direction for the Institute's reviews in that it is sector-specific (as all future reviews will be), focusing this year on Canada's electric and natural gas utilities. These two sectors were chosen because they are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and because they have been strongly engaged in Canada's Voluntary Challenge and Registry Program (VCR).
Companies were assessed based on a detailed review of their submissions to the VCR between September 1, 1998 and March 31, 1999. The assessment used 32 criteria in four categories: Reporting (worth 15% of total), Corporate Policy Framework (25%), Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Actions (30%) and Climate Protection Performance (30%).
Of the ten electric utilities reviewed, seven scored higher than 50%, with the top mark of 80% going to Manitoba Hydro. Four of the six natural gas utilities scored higher than 50%, with Enbridge Consumers Gas at the top of the list with 77%.
In addition to a succinct comparison of the utilities in each sector, the document includes a description of the methodology, details on the evaluation criteria, and a comprehensive review of each of the 16 companies featured.
