Off road CO2 initiative
Environment Canada is examining the off-road sector to determine how emissions of carbon dioxide and other Greenhouse gases (GHG) can be reduced.
The GHG emissions from the off-road sector account for about 13% of the overall emissions from transportation sources. Transportation sources account for about 25% of the total GHG emissions in Canada. Within the transportation category, off-road vehicles and equipment is the second largest source of GHG emissions, smaller than on-road vehicles but larger than air, rail and commercial marine. This very diverse sector includes
- agricultural machinery,
- construction equipment,
- chainsaws,
- snowmobiles, and
- recreational boats.
Agriculture, mining and construction machines contribute the most to GHG emissions from the off-road sector. The personal machines that emit the most are snowmobiles and lawn and garden tractors.
Environment Canada is seeking views on how GHG emissions should be reduced from off-road vehicles and equipment. A discussion paper has been prepared, and several background reports are available. Comments from interested parties are welcome.
Useful links
- Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency website: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/english/index.cfm
- NONROAD (EPA) website: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/nonrdmdl.htm#docs
- Canada's National Climate Change Process, Transportation table: http://www.nccp.ca/NCCP/national_process/ issues/transportation_e.html
