News Release

Canada Submits Progress Report on Climate Change

OTTAWA, Ontario, March 15, 2006 - Canada submitted today two reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

"This brings us up to date with Canada's reporting obligations to the UNFCCC," Environment Minister John Baird said. "Equally importantly, it shows that Canada is actively participating in the United Nations processes on climate change and will continue to do so. At home, we will continue to take integrated action to protect the health of Canadians and the environment by reducing smog, air pollution and greenhouse gases which cause climate change."

The"Initial Report" and the "Fourth National Communication" reportprovide other countries with an update of Canada's progress in addressing climate change. Included in the reports is a description of domestic measures, an overview of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions trends and a description of Canada's specific activities to measure and account for these emissions. The reports also describe Canada's unique national circumstances and their influence on greenhouse gas emissions, and indicate that in 2004 Canada's greenhouse gas emissions were almost 35 per cent above Canada's Kyoto target.

Canadahas demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the international climate change process by paying its annual dues to the United Nations to support the core budgets of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Canada has received notice from the United Nations requesting its contribution for the 2007 calendar year and work is underway to make Canada's payment as soon as possible.

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