News Release

Latest Greenhouse Gas Data Show that Canada is Still Over 32% Above Kyoto Target

OTTAWA, May 25, 2007 -As part of its international obligations, Environment Canada submitted today its annual national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for 2005 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

"This information tells us that greenhouse gases are still over 32% higher than our Kyoto target," stated the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment.  "This is why this government has put forward a concrete action plan to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollutants."

The data show that Canada's GHG emissions in 2005 were 747 megatonnes (Mt), representing an increase of 25.3% over the 1990 level of 596 Mt, a 0.3% increase from 2003, and no increase from 2004.  The 2005 greenhouse gas emissions were 32.7% above the Kyoto target. 

The report notes that emissions continued to increase from the transportation sector and that there was an almost flat growth in GHG emissions from 2003 and 2005. This was primarily due to a significant decline in emissions from electricity as well as a reduced demand for heating fuels due to warmer winters, and a reduced rate of increase in fossil fuel production also caused this low growth in GHG emissions.

"The slow down in GHG growth appears to have been the result of action taken by the provinces to reduce coal-fired and increase nuclear and hydro-electricity generation," said Minister Baird. "Unfortunately the previous Liberal Government did not deliver on its promise to reduce GHGs. Canada's New Government will reverse this trend and build on initiatives such as Canada's $1.5 billion trust for clean air and climate change so that we can work with the provinces and territories to reduce GHGs and air emissions."

The data submitted to the UNFCCC contains updated estimates from previous years. More accurate measuring methods were developed and this enabled Environment Canada to provide consistent and comparable trend information for emissions and removals estimates.

Canada's New Government is taking a leadership role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution with diversified and complementary measures, including its aggressive regulations to reduce emissions in all sectors. These initiatives will stop the increase of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 and no later than 2012 and achieve an absolute reduction of 150 megatonnes of greenhouse gases by 2020.  This plan will also cut air pollution from industry in half by 2015.

For more information about the Government of Canada's environmental initiatives, please visit http://www.ec.gc.ca

Related Documents

National Inventory Report, 1990-2005 - Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada

For more information, please contact:

Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441

Environment Canada Media Relations
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008