Natural Resources Canada
98/98 (b)

BACKGROUNDER

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE KYOTO PROTOCOL

In 1992, Canada signed and ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Under the Framework Convention, Canada and more than 150 other countries agreed to work towards reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. In December 1997, negotiators from all participating countries in the Framework Convention met in Kyoto, Japan for the Third Conference of the Parties, where they agreed to a timetable of limitations for greenhouse gases. This agreement is known as the Kyoto Protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol establishes a timetable for emission limitations between 2008 and 2012. When the Protocol is ratified by countries and it enters into force, industrialized countries must reduce their average emissions by 5.2% from 1990 levels. Canada will be required to reduce its emissions by 6% below 1990 levels, the United States by 7% and the European Union countries by 8%.

Greenhouse gases

The Kyoto Protocol applies to the six most important greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide accounts for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions and its reduction is often considered the main solution to climate change. Carbon dioxide emissions from energy use can be reduced in two ways: by improving energy efficiency and by switching to energy sources that contain less or no carbon.

A global challenge

Canada ranks eighth among developed and developing countries in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion and is responsible for about 2% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. Since emissions do not respect international boundaries, responding to greenhouse gas emission reductions and climate change is a global challenge requiring global responses.

Canada moves ahead

At the federal-provincial conference of First Ministers in December 1997, First Ministers instructed energy and environment ministers to establish a process, in advance of Canada's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, that will achieve a thorough understanding of the impact of the Protocol and the costs and benefits of its implementation and the various implementation options open to Canada. To coordinate this work, the federal government established a secretariat to support the efforts of ministers, and work with provinces and stakeholders to develop an action plan for the Kyoto targets. The February 1998 federal budget set aside $50 million per year over three years to fund this process and early actions.

For more information please contact:
Pierre D'Amour
Tel: (514) 393-1378
Fax: (514) 875-7505
pdamour@marcon.qc.ca
or
Emmanuelle Géhin
Tel: (514) 393-1378
Fax: (514) 875-7505
egehin@marcon.qc.ca