Multilateral Environmental Agreements

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Kyoto Protocol to the Convention

Status of Convention

Adopted in New York on May 9, 1992
Ratified by Canada on December 4, 1992
Entered into force internationally on March 21, 1994
Entered into force in Canada on March 21, 1994

Status of Protocol

Protocol adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on December 11, 1997
Canada signed on April 29, 1998
Ratified by Canada on December 17, 2002
Protocol entered into force on February 16, 2005

Objectives

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. It recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The ultimate objective of the Convention is to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at levels that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system”.

Under the Convention governments:

• gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices
  
  
• launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries
  
  
• cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change
  
  

The Kyoto Protocol commits developed countries (Annex 1) to reduce their overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5.2% by 2008-2012. The Protocol entered into force on February 16th, 2005, after at least 55 Parties to the Convention, incorporating Annex I Parties which accounted in total for at least 55 % of the total carbon dioxide emissions for 1990 from that group, deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. As of February 14, 2006, 161 states and regional economic integration organizations have ratified, acceded, approved or accepted the Protocol.

Commitments

Under the Kyoto Protocol, each industrialized country, who is a Party to the Protocol, has a specific emission reduction target to achieve, on average, during the five year Kyoto “commitment period” from 2008-2012. These targets are relative to emissions levels in 1990.

Industrialized countries can achieve their targets by reducing emissions, improving agricultural and forestry management practices to increase the sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, or by using any of the so-called Kyoto mechanisms. The Kyoto Protocol includes three market-based mechanisms. Two of the mechanisms-the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) involve the financing of emission reduction projects in developing and industrialized countries respectively-with the investor (s) getting a share of the emission reduction credits. The third mechanism, International Emissions Trading (IET)which should be supplemental to domestic actions, allows Annex I Parties which have reduced their emissions below their allowances to trade some part of the surplus allowances to other Annex I Parties.

Canada's commitment under the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce net GHG emissions (covering six GHGs or groups of GHGs and 'sinks') to 6% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. The six GHGs/groups are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride.

Under the Convention, Canada is required to provide emissions data, on an annual basis, and periodic national communications on its progress in reducing its net GHG emissions, policies and measures enacted, and financial and technological resources transferred to developing country Parties to assist them in combating climate change. Furthermore, under articles 4.1 (g) and 5 of the Convention, governments have committed to systematic observations of the climate system and research on climate change and its impacts. Finally, Article 10 of the Kyoto Protocol deals with advancing existing commitments in the UNFCCC on education, training and public awareness programs. (www.climatechange.gc.ca)

Environment Canada's Involvement

Within the federal government, Environment Canada has the government-wide lead for setting environmental policy; managing climate change science; leading international climate change negotiations at the ministerial level; developing and implementing a national public education and outreach strategy; policy development for international emissions trading and sinks (articles 4.8 and 4.9); analyzing the health and environment benefits of actions to reduce GHG emissions; preparing annual emissions inventories; and developing and implementing the federal communications strategy in cooperation with appropriate departments. The Department also has a major supporting role on climate change technology development and deployment. More generally, Environment Canada is one of the core departments responsible for developing the federal government's position on all aspects of climate change.

Because climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution, Environment Canada is also fully committed to advancing the international effort to address climate change. EC has played a key role in climate change policy development since the inception of negotiations on climate change under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. EC was also a key contributor to the policy and analytical preparations for COP 11 and COP/MOP 1 held in Montreal in November-December 2005.

The Conference addressed issues such as adaptation, capacity building, technology development and transfer, the adverse effects of climate change on developing and least developed countries, and several financial and budget related issues. Coming out of the Conference were two key actions to shape the global dialogue on climate change:

• Under the Convention: A dialogue on long-term cooperative action to address climate change by enhancing implementation of the Convention
  
  
• Under the Protocol: An Ad Hoc Working Group that will consider commitments for subsequent periods for Parties included in Annex I to the Convention under Article 3, paragraph 9, of the Protocol
  
  

Pursuant to Articles 4.1 (g) and 5 of the Convention, Environment Canada focuses its climate change science on atmospheric and hydrologic monitoring and analysis, processes and modelling research, climate impact scenarios, and sensitivities and impacts research. Environment Canada’s scientific activities are conducted in conjunction with its partners in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), Other Government Departments (OGDs) and Canadian universities.

Environment Canada provides leadership in the development and integration of Canada's national monitoring networks as part of its continuing commitment to the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). Ongoing work in climate analysis has helped track the state of the climate in Canada. One source of this information for Canadians is the Climate Trends and Variability Bulletin, an internet-based product issued quarterly (http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/ccrm/bulletin/).

Among the key areas of investigation in climate processes are those pertaining to the water and energy cycle. As part of the Mackenzie Basin Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (Mackenzie GEWEX), Environment Canada scientists and their colleagues have determined how much water originates outside the basin and how much is recycled within the basin in warm and cold seasons. Global climate model development is conducted in conjunction with other federal departments, with recent work focussing on incorporation of the ocean carbon cycle into the global model. Regional model development is done in collaboration with the university community. The supercomputer resources required to run these models are housed within Environment Canada. Canadian expertise in climate modelling is highly respected worldwide.

With respect to the study of biophysical impacts, in northern and western Canada, Environment Canada researchers have examined climate impacts on extreme events such as floods and low flows, particularly as they affect transboundary waters. Environment Canada operates a national Climate Scenarios Network which provides scenarios for impacts and adaptation research, as well as training in their use. In addition to coordination of the Canadian involvement in IPCC activities and in the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), there is also ongoing science assessment work within Environment Canada.

Domestic Action

The Government is committed to delivering a healthier and cleaner environment. A realistic and effective approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the long term that makes sense for Canada is being developed. This approach will take advantage of opportunities to build a competitive and sustainable Canadian economy, be an integral part of Canada’s energy security, promote the development and use of new technologies, support regional development, and engage Canadians and communities to take action at the local level. It will include increased use of renewable fuels and tax credits for transit users.

United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change: www.unfccc.de

Global Environment Facility: www.gefweb.org

Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change: www.ipcc.ch

The Government of Canada Climate Change Site: www.climatechange.gc.ca