The State of Energy Efficiency in Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency Report 2005
Taking Action on Climate Change
One of the most pressing environmental challenges is that of global climate change.The international scientific community has concluded that the rapid increase in the concentration of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere can be expected to increase the earth's surface temperature, change our climate, alter our environment and endanger our health. For more information, visit the Government of Canada Web site at www.climatechange.gc.ca .
Most human-generated GHG emissions are produced through the combustion of fossil fuels. Although Canada accounts for only about 2 percent of the world's GHG emissions, it needs to be part of the solution. Substantially reducing GHG emissions is a challenge, particularly given Canada's highly industrialized and resource based economy. Solutions require a multifaceted, coordinated domestic response and a high level of cooperation among all nations.
In 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.
The federal budget of February 2003 provided new funding of $2 billion over five years to support climate change initiatives. This is in addition to the $1.7 billion in climate change investments announced by the Government of Canada since 1997.This edition of The State of Energy Efficiency in Canada reflects the Office of Energy Efficiency measures implemented with this new funding.
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