The Case for Deep Reductions

The Case for Deep Reductions examines the role that Canada should play in the long-term, global effort to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Focusing on the need to prevent dangerous climate change, the report reviews the maximum levels we can allow GHGs to reach in the atmosphere, the amount by which the world will have to reduce emissions to keep within those levels, and reasonable ways to share out emission reductions between industrialized and developing countries. The report concludes that the Government of Canada should adopt targets to reduce GHG emissions to 25% below the 1990 level by 2020 and 80% below the 1990 level by 2050, and presents strong evidence that targets like these are technologically and economically feasible. The report also makes recommendations on how Canada should approach international negotiations on post-2012 GHG reductions.