This report presents the analysis of 115 submissions made to Canada's Voluntary Challenge and Registry Program by June 30, 2000, stating 1998 corporate emissions. Average emissions increased substantially between 1990 and 1998, with companies in the fossil energy sector far outstripping, on average, the 13% rise in Canada's total emissions over this period. Other findings show that:
- between 1990 and 1998, sixteen companies, including some of Canada's largest emitters, actually increased their emissions intensity (emissions per unit of production), out of the 58 for which it was possible to do this calculation;
- between 1997 and 1998, there was a mix of increases and decreases in companies' emissions, but significantly more companies reporting to the VCR experienced large increases between the two years than experienced large decreases; and
- there are numerous variations and inconsistencies in the methodology used by companies to calculate the emissions they report.
A major conclusion of the report, released just prior to the fall 2000 Joint Meeting of Canada's Energy and Environment Ministers, is that voluntary programs have failed to bring about the kinds of emissions reductions that Canada will need to meet its international climate change commitments. Financial incentives and regulatory instruments should be adopted and the reporting of these emissions made mandatory.
