Canadian industry and provincial leaders want their federal government to reconsider the idea of slashing greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change.
Oil-rich Alberta has been the most vocal, urging a complete rejection of the international accord. The province argues that the US decision not to ratify the treaty may cause "heavy implications" for Canada's competitiveness with its biggest trading partner (OGJ, Oct. 21, 2002, p. 24). Meanwhile, other provinces, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and most recently Ontario, are worried about meeting the targets.
But for now Prime Minister Jean Chretien is steadfast in ratifying Kyoto by December, an ambitious goal when consensus remains elusive. A government draft expected Oct. 21 has been postponed a month, giving Canada's Parliament only about 30 days to approve a final document before the end of the year.
Challenging targets
Under Kyoto, Canada must reduce greenhouse gas emissions levels to 6% below 1990 levels by 2012, an amount federal officials concede may be difficult to reach. United Nations officials say that they expect the treaty to be formally ratified early next year, but they also are casting doubt on how successful the measure can be without full international compliance.
"Anticipating that the Kyoto Protocol will come into effect in early 2003, the 185 member states of the UN Climate Change Convention are meeting in New Delhi (beginning Oct. 30) to broaden the range of actions available to governments and civil society for addressing climate change," said Joke Waller-Hunter, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, last week.
"By the time the protocol enters into force, developed countries will have less than 10 years to meet their Kyoto targets for greenhouse gases. The big question now is what practical actions these governments—including those that choose to remain outside Kyoto—are taking to lower their emissions."
Made in Canada
A competing "Made in Canada" plan supported by industry focuses on research spending with matching contributions from industry and Ottawa. It would mean a more gradual emissions reduction approach pegged to the health of the economy. It calls for a 50% drop in emissions produced for each dollar of gross domestic product by 2020.
The federal government previously rejected this plan, although with no clear deal between Ottawa and its provinces in sight, industry's voice may be heard more clearly over the next few months.
"We welcome all of the constructive proposals put forward by Canadians, industry, provinces, environmental and consumer groups over the course of the last several months," said federal Environment Minister David Anderson.
Although it is premature to assume that the federal government will change its position, one can hope that industry's message is getting through to the politicians, noted Robin Walsh of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
"The longer the delay, the more people will realize what this treaty really means, which is a loss of jobs and capital," said Walsh.
