DOHA, Qatar, Dec. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada is halfway towards meeting its
commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 17 per cent from
2005 levels by 2020.
"The combined efforts to date of federal, provincial and territorial
governments, of consumers and of businesses will generate half the GHG
reduction required to meet Canada's GHG target by 2020," said Canada's
Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent. "This is progress but
more work is required, and the Harper government is continuing to
implement its sector-by-sector regulatory approach to achieve the
additional reductions needed for Canada to meet its target."
So far, the Government of Canada has developed and implemented stringent
regulations to reduce GHG emissions in the electricity and
transportation sectors. Just last week, proposed regulations were
announced for automobiles and light trucks, model years 2017 and
beyond, that aim to cut emissions and fuel consumption by 50 per cent.
The federal government is also working on regulations for the oil and
gas sector.
The projection is contained in Canada's Emissions Trends Report 2012, which was released in August. The report also notes progress in
de-linking economic growth and GHG emissions. Between 2005 and 2010,
the economy grew by 6.3 per cent whereas Canadian GHG emissions
decreased by 6.5 per cent
For more information on Canada's work to reduce GHGs, visit climatechange.gc.ca.
SOURCE: Environment Canada