Introduction | Formal Strategies | Factsheets | The Eco-Tool Box

What are we doing about all that hot air?

Climate change is here to stay. It is now widely accepted that fossil fuel emissions are leading to long-term changes in the global climate.  The only question now is, what shall we do about it. 

In Canada, we have committed ourselves to a 6% cut in emissions based on 1990 levels and measured as a five year average from 2008 to 2012.  

The federal government has a "risk-based" strategy, which seeks to balance reductions in greenhouse gases against the risks to our economy and society.  The Ontario government does not yet have a well-defined strategy.  There are a few leaders and good pilot projects, but we have a long way to go before to develop a clear plan of action on climate change. 

INDEX

Major Activities

Individual Action

The Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol
1997 - The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is a legally-binding agreement signed by Canada and in can be downloaded and read on Acrobat Reader.

Following is part of the text from the UN press release

The Kyoto Protocol commits industrialized countries to reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2%.

The agreement aims to lower overall emissions from a group of six greenhouse gases by 2008-12, calculated as an average over these five years. Cuts in the three most important gases - carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N20) - will be measured against a base year of 1990. Cuts in three long-lived industrial gases - hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) - can be measured against either a 1990 or 1995 baseline.

If compared to expected emissions levels for the year 2000, the total reductions required by the Protocol will actually be about 10%; this is because many industrialized countries have not succeeded in meeting their earlier non-binding aim of returning their emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000, and their emissions have in fact risen since 1990. Compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without emissions-control measures, the Protocol target represents a 30% cut. The Protocol should therefore send a powerful signal to business that it needs to accelerate the delivery of climate-friendly products and services.

The 5.2% reduction in total developed country emissions will be realized through national reductions of 8% by Switzerland, many Central and East European states, and the European Union (the EU will achieve its target by distributing differing reduction rates to its member states); 7% by the US; and 6% by Canada, Hungary, Japan, and Poland. Russia, New Zealand, and Ukraine are to stabilize their emissions, while Norway may increase emissions by up to 1%, Australia by up to 8%, and Iceland 10%.

The bottom line for Canada is that we have agreed to a 6% cut in emissions based on 1990 levels and measured as a five year average from 2008 to 2012.

Six per cent may not sound like much, but when you consider the current growth rate of the Canadian population (from 30 million to 37 million by 2010) and the Canadian economy (currently 2.2% per annum), it soon becomes a formidable target.

In order to counter the effects of growth, Canada needs to plan for a reduction of 138 MT of greenhouse gases, or 21% of the projected "business as usual" emission levels in 2010. The sooner we act, the easier it will be to change the trends of our emission levels and reach the 6% target.

Finally, even if we all countries reach their targets under the Kyoto protocol, there is no certainty as to whether it will be sufficient to create a stable level of greenhouse gases worldwide. Kyoto is a starting point, and the national targets will need to be reviewed and strengthened over time.

Major Activities

Federal Government

Kyoto follow up (February 11, 1998): the Government of Canada will mobilize federal resources and expertise toward a national strategy to meet the climate change commitments it made in Kyoto last December. This strategy, to be developed in consultation with the provinces, business, industrial sectors and other stakeholders, will be essential in ensuring that Canada meets its domestic and international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Federal Action Program on Climate Change (FAPCC):
The federal government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations. The Federal Action Program on Climate Change: Leading the Way Forward, commits the federal government to surpass the goals of stabilization and reduce its emissions by 20% by 2005.

1995 - The National Action Program on Climate Change (NAPCC): Developed and agreed upon by all federal and provincial/territorial energy and environment ministers, the NAPCC sets the strategic course Canada will take to meet its national commitment to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2000. It also addresses further reductions in the post-2000 era.
  

Provincial Government

The Ministry of Environment is developing an Air Quality and Climate Change strategy.  The strategy emphasizes co-benefits of addressing air quality and greenhouse gas reduction at the same time.  You can find a pdf update on the government's activities in the Air section of the ministry's website.
     Click here for the September 2001 progress report.  
  

Municipal Government

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
The FCM has formed the 20% Club, a group of municipal and regional governments across Canada which are working together to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions they produce. Over 30 Canadian municipal governments have committed to the program, including Ottawa, Toronto, Regina, Edmonton and Vancouver.

International Council on Local Environmental Issues (ICLEI)
ICLEI is managing several programs to promote municipal involvement in climate protection, including, The Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign, Sustainable Transportation Program, Green Buildings Program, and the Green Fleets Program.

Toronto Atmospheric Fund
The Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) is a unique and innovative fund dedicated to supporting community-based activities and alternative technologies that contribute to achieving the City of Toronto's commitment to a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2005.
 

Non-Government Organizations

Rational Energy Program
The Sierra Club and the Climate Action Network have prepared a Rational Energy Program -- a package of initiatives designed to improve energy efficiency in transportation and other sectors, as well as increase the use of renewable energy in the electricity sector. Its implementation by government could add 1.5 million jobs to the economy while meeting Canada's global warming commitments.

Sierra Club of Canada
Sierra Club's climate change campaign has helped move the provincial and federal governments into planning for a carbon reduction program.

Pollution Probe
Pollution Probe has held workshops on emmissions trading and transit in an effort to develop practical solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Green Communities Association
The Green Communities Association specializes in Green Home Visits, which help homeowners to save money and conserve energy.
  

Corporations

The Voluntary Challenge and Registry (VCR)
The Voluntary Challenge and Registry (VCR) records the efforts of private and public sector organizations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was set up in response to Canada's 1995 goal to stabilize net emissions of greenhouse gases at 1990 levels by the year 2000. The program encourages the private and public sectors to take voluntary steps to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Voluntary Challenge and Registry has over 600 participants. As the list of participants on a sectoral basis indicates, over 70% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions from business and industrial sources are represented.

As a first step, participants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent confirming a commitment to limit or reduce greenhouse gases from their operations. This is followed by an action plan, and subsequent progress reports. The Internet registry publicly documents the progress and achievements of all participants.
  

Individual Action

Give the climate a break.

Key Players

Ministry of Energy
   has a section on climate change.

The Pembina Institute 
    they manage the Climate Change Solutions website

David Suzuki Foundation
    with an excellent section on Climate Change Solutions

The Sierra Club of Canada, Climate Change Section.
    they manage the Climate Action Network (CANet).

The Voluntary Challenge and Registry (VCR)