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As part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions under the Kyoto
protocol, the Government of Canada developed Action Plan 2000 on Climate
Change. The transportation component of Action Plan 2000 is substantial. It responds to the fact that, while fuel efficiency is improving, it is not keeping pace with annual increases in the use of transportation.
The freight transportation component of the Action Plan, although just one of
five transportation measures, represents a variety of measures designed to reduce the
growth of GHG emitted by the freight transportation sector.
Delivered through the Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative
(FETI), it is sub-divided into three components; the Freight
Sustainability Demonstration Program; Voluntary
Performance Agreements; and Training and Awareness.
In addition to Action Plan 2000, the Government of Canada, in November 2002,
released the Climate
Change Plan for Canada. The Climate Change Plan sets out a three-step
approach for achieving Canada’s climate change objective of reducing annual
GHG emissions by 240 megatonnes (MT). First, there are the
investments to date that will address one third of the total reduction (80 MT).
Second, it articulates a strategy for a further 100 MT reduction. And finally,
it outlines a number of current and potential actions that should enable Canada
to address the remaining 60 MT reduction.
With regards to freight transportation, the Climate Change Plan for Canada called for
the creation of the Commercial Transportation Energy Efficiency and Fuels Initiative.
It consists of
both the Freight Efficiency
Program, which will be administered by Transport Canada, and the Commercial Road Transportation
Program, which will be administered by the Office of Energy
Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. The new Freight Efficiency Program will provide
financial incentives for the purchase and installation of energy efficiency
enhancing equipment in the air, marine and rail modes; and education and awareness to support
improved decision-making by
shippers.
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