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Improving Energy Performance in Canada – Report to Parliament Under the Energy Efficiency Act - 2003-2004
Introduction
Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change
Climate change is a global challenge arising from the continuing buildup in levels of anthropogenic (human-produced) greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, in addition to naturally occurring emissions. GHGs are composed of a number of gases, and the main source of anthropogenic emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels. In December 1997, Canada and more than 160 other countries met in Kyoto, Japan, and agreed to targets to reduce GHG emissions. Canada's target is to reduce its GHG emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels by the first commitment period (2008 to 2012). The Government of Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol and notified the United Nations of its decision on December 17, 2002.
Natural Resources Canada's Efficiency and Alternative Energy Program
Since the early 1990s, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has emphasized the promotion of energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy (i.e. alternative transportation fuels and renewable energy) as a means to reduce GHG emissions, particularly in relation to the Kyoto Protocol. A complete list of NRCan's efficiency and alternative energy (EAE) initiatives in 2003-2004 is provided in Appendix 1. These initiatives engage Canadian society and all major sectors of the economy in new and more advanced approaches to secondary energy use – i.e. to the consumption of energy in the residential, commercial/institutional, industrial and transportation sectors.
NRCan's EAE initiatives are managed by
- the Office of Energy Efficiency, which delivers market transformation initiatives to improve energy efficiency and the use of alternative transportation fuels
- the CANMET¹ Energy Technology Centre and the Mineral Technology Branch, which deliver EAE research and development (R&D) initiatives
- the Electricity Resources Branch, which delivers market transformation initiatives for renewable energy
- the Science Branch of the Canadian Forest Service, which undertakes R&D in the use of forest biomass for energy
In its efforts to reduce GHG emissions, NRCan emphasizes partnership and cooperation with stakeholders, such as other levels of government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations. Using this approach, the demand side of the energy market moves toward more energy-efficient capital stock, production processes and operating practices without reducing service or comfort levels. On the supply side, Canada participates in developing technology for tapping renewable energy resources and alternative transportation fuels as well as for increasing the energy efficiency of production.
In This Report
This eleventh annual Report to Parliament focuses principally on EAE initiatives that address secondary energy use. Chapter 1 provides the policy context and strategic overview. Trends in energy use and GHG emissions in Canada are discussed in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 summarizes work undertaken during the reporting period to improve the quality and coverage of performance indicators for the initiatives described in Chapters 4 through 9. Chapters 4 to 7 review individual EAE initiatives to improve energy use in housing, buildings, industry and transportation, highlighting their achievements and progress indicators. Chapter 8 deals with renewable energy sources and use. Chapter 9 describes the Government of Canada's actions to improve its own use of energy. Chapter 10 describes general programs not specific to EAE initiatives discussed in Chapters 4 to 9. The final chapter describes intergovernmental cooperation in EAE. Appendix 1 contains information on NRCan's EAE expenditures. Appendix 2 contains detailed information on the data presented in this report.
¹ CANMET is the Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology.
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