Russian Decision Gives Green Light to Federal Kyoto Legislation
Ottawa — The Russian Cabinet's decision today to send the Kyoto Protocol to parliament for ratification means the Government of Canada must immediately introduce legislation to set mandatory greenhouse gas emission targets for Canadian industry, according to the Pembina Institute. Russia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol triggers the treaty's entry into force, and Canada will be required by international law to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Large industrial facilities account for nearly half of those emissions.
"A commitment to legislation curbing large industry's emissions must be included in next week's Speech from the Throne if the Martin government is serious about complying with our international Kyoto obligations," said Dr. Matthew Bramley, Director, Climate Change at the Pembina Institute.
Legislation to set mandatory greenhouse gas emission targets for large industrial facilities is the most important element of the federal government's Climate Change Plan for Canada published in November 2002. Natural Resources Canada officials have spent the past two years consulting with industry and developing the details (1) of this legislation which now awaits a decision by the Liberal Government. If the legislation is not introduced this fall, there is a serious risk that there will not be enough time to adopt the necessary regulations by January 1, 2008, when Canada has to start meeting its Kyoto target.
Yesterday, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) also called on the Government of Canada to "further elaborate and aggressively implement the Climate Change Plan for Canada, using a broad array of policy instruments (including emissions trading and other flexibility mechanisms) to ensure that GHG targets are met effectively and efficiently." The OECD report also said "The government should make clear that... voluntary approaches should be supplemented by more conventional use of regulations... and economic instruments." (2)
According to a public opinion poll (3) commissioned by the Pembina Institute, conducted earlier this month by GlobeScan (formerly Environics International), an overwhelming majority of Canadians support the proposed federal legislation requiring industries to cut greenhouse gas emissions. And 42 percent of Canadians want the government to require bigger industrial emission reductions than it is currently proposing.
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Contact:
Dr. Matthew Bramley, Pembina Institute 613-235-6288 ext.26
Notes for editors:
(1) The detailed papers produced by officials can be viewed here. Hundreds of consultation meetings on these papers have been held with industry.
(2) OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Canada, pp. 170, 193.
(3) The detailed polling results are available here.
