Key Points in Canada's Plan to Cut Greenhouse Gases
CANADA: April 27, 2007


- Here are key elements of the Canadian government's plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which includes curbs on industrial pollution and measures to reduce energy use.

 


- Greenhouse gas emissions will fall by 150 megatonnes from 2006 levels. That includes 60 megatonnes from industry.

- Sectors subject to curbs include power, oil and gas, forest products, smelting and refining, iron and steel, chemicals, and some mining.

- Industries have the option of cutting emissions, buying into a technology fund, or taking part in emissions trading, where that pollute too much can buy credits from ones that are below the government's targets. The government says some energy firms should be able to meet targets through "carbon capture and storage."

- Companies must cut their "emission intensity", or the greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production, by 6 percent a year between 2007 and 2010, and then by 2 percent a year.

- New facilities will have a three-year grace period to meet intensity targets, and must then reduce emission intensity by 2 percent a year.

- Government says it is setting emissions targets that are "at least as rigorous as those in the United States or other environmental performance-leading countries."

- It will set new standards for auto fuel efficiency from 2011, after consultation with the auto sector and with the United States.

- It will cap the amount of air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate matter, allowed into the atmosphere.

- Companies that fail to comply with current environmental rules can face fines of up to C$1 million a day. The document gave no details on new penalties

(US$1=$1.12 Canadian)

 


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