The Government of Canada Takes a Significant Step to Implement Its Climate Change Plan and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

OTTAWA, November 22, 2005 – The Government of Canada today took a significant step in implementing Canada’s Climate Change Plan when it added six greenhouse gases (GHG) to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999). The addition allows for the introduction later in 2006 and implementation of regulations to ensure large industrial emitters meet their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 megatonnes by 2008-2012.

The decision to add GHGs to CEPA follows on the worldwide scientific consensus that there is sufficient and compelling evidence to conclude that greenhouse gases constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends.

“With this step, the Government of Canada is paving the way to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in an effective way, by protecting the health of our environment and the well-being of Canadians” said the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment. “There is overwhelming scientific evidence to conclude that climate change is the greatest ecological danger facing the planet.”

“ Canadians overwhelmingly support actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time, they expect all sectors of our economy – governments, industry, consumers – to play their part,” said Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, Minister of Health.

The addition of the GHGs to Schedule 1 of CEPA follows consultations undertaken after publication of the draft Order-in-Council in the Canada Gazette on September 3, 2005. A regulatory approach to reducing greenhouse gases from large industrial emitters was highlighted as one of the commitments Moving Forward on Climate Change, last April and demonstrates the government’s commitment Project Green, to enhance Canada’s economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

This action of putting GHGs on Schedule 1 of CEPA also supports the government moving forward on a host of issues under the Climate Change Plan which contains measures for all Canadians and all sectors to do their part in meeting Canada’s 270 megatonne reduction goal. Other elements of the Plan which are also progressing include:

• the putting in place of cross-cutting and sector specific regulations in 2006 to ensure Large Final Emitters meet their emission reduction commitments in the 2008-2012 period;
  
  
• the setting up the Climate Fund Agency which will start next year to buy emissions reduction credits domestically and internationally;
  
  
• the start-up in early 2006 of the Offsets system which allow Canadians from across the country to reduce GHGs and engage in an emissions trading system;
  
  
• the expansion of programs and incentives to enhance wind power production and other renewable power generation; and
  
  
• - the expansion of the One Tonne Challenge program which encourages action from all Canadians to play their role at home, at work and at leisure.

The Final Order for GHGs will be published in the Canada Gazette Part II November 30, 2005. The response to comments report has been posted on Environment Canada’s website at http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/documents/part/ghg_sched1/response.cfm. The Government of Canada will release a consultation draft soon that will set the out regulation elements.

The Government of Canada’s actions on climate change are a component of Project Green. The policies and programs under Project Green address environmental initiatives for the 21^st century including Canada’s economic competitiveness, measures to conserve our biodiversity, protect our water, clean up contaminated sites and ensure cleaner and healthier air. Through Project Green, Canada can set an international example by developing effective model solutions for the long-term health of the planet.

Canadian initiatives at home also support its international objectives to combat climate change which will take centre stage from November 28 to December 9 at Montreal 2005: United Nations Climate Change Conference. Minister Dion will be President of the Conference for a one-year period from November 28, 2005, and as such will serve as Chair of Montréal 2005. Details at www.montreal2005.gc.ca.

For further information, please see Kyoto Protocol Greenhouse Gases and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act at:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/documents/part/kyoto_ghg/CEPA_GHG_e.pdf.

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