Canada

Climate Change Policy

Background Information

In 2001, population was 31,002,200. Projected 2006 population is 32,228,600. Growth is currently .9% per year.

Total area is 9,984,670 square kilometers. Geographic variety- northern treeless plains

and frozen subsoils, lowlands, rugged coast, thick southern forests, western mountains and plateaus.

Federal Multiparty Parliamentary State with Sovereign Monarchy

Economic Development

GDP in 2003 was 834.4 billion (Canadian currency).

Annual GDP growth has decreased from 5.5% in 1999 to 1.8% in 2003.

Nat’l debt was 443.3 billion in 1991. 11.1% unemployed in 1994

Current Effects of Climate Change

Decline in water levels of the Great Lakes. Melting of polar ice cap and changes in

migration patterns of fish. Insect infestation in forests. Increasing average temperatures and higher

levels of smog in urban areas. Droughts in prairie areas, ice storms in the

east, flooding in Manitoba and Quebec.

Projected Impacts of Climate Change

Shift in wind patterns Shift in amount and form of precipitation Shift in frequency and form of severe

weather Warming trends in non-coastal regions. Rise in sea level Droughts (freshwater) and forest fires

Canadian Contribution to Global Climate Change

Canada Contributes about 2% of total worldwide GHG emissions

Second highest per capita emitter in the world. In 1990 per capita emissions=22.0t CO2 per capita, in 2002 emissions had risen to 23.3t CO2 per capita.

By 2010, without any emission restrictions, GHG emissions are expected to reach 809MT.

Rio, 1992

Similar position to that of the United States, although the US pulled out later.

International activities of Canada were correlated with the placing of environmental issues in a position of high importance.

A Shift in Position

After the ratification of the UNFCCC, Canada’s strong focus on environmental issues digressed and was replaced by focus on economic and employment issues.

Climate change was no longer a government priority. Canada was willing to do only what it must.

The role of the Ambassador for the Environment and Sustainable Development, the importance of trade in conjunction with environmental issues, and the development of natural resources all became much less important, if not eliminated entirely.

Signing onto the Kyoto Protocol

Canada is required to reduce GHG emissions to 6% below the 1990 emission level by 2012.

The Joint Ministers of Energy and Environment immediately began to look into the necessary tasks to reduce GHG emissions and in April 1998 passed guidelines for evaluation of impacts, costs, and benefits of responding to the climate change threat.

National Climate Change Secretariat was created(following the JM meeting) and was comprised of working groups that analyzed the implications of addressing climate change.

Government Institutions

Environment Canada is the responsible party for monitoring and reporting on the environment.

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade houses a Climate Change and Energy division.

Clean Development Mechanisms Office organizes Canadian CDM movements under the UNFCCC.

Canadian International Development Agency provides interdepartmental coordination through its climate change department.

GHG Division of Environment Canada develops, monitors, analyzes, and reports emission and removal of GHGs.

Greenhouse Gas Division

Publishes an annual report to the UN on GHG emission and removal. Fulfills report requirement under the UNFCCC.

Engages in R&D to constantly improve upon ability to track emission reduction.

Supports the UNFCCC in establishing guidelines for report and review, and the IPCC in protocol development to better monitor GHG emission and removal.

Policy Position-National Climate Change Business Plan Kyoto cap on emissions is 240MT There is a 3 step approach to limit emissions. The

first step involved a 80MT reduction, followed by a 100MT reduction, followed by a reduction of the remaining 60MT. This is done by assigning different emission cuts to various emitters of GHGs. Each new period begins upon achievement of previous periods target emission cuts.

Goal is to become the most efficient producers and consumers of energy through development of better and cleaner technology.

The Plan has 5 key components…

Key Components to National Climate Change Business Plan Create incentives to industrial emitters of CO2 to reduce emissions

(use different technologies, etc.) by offering financial backing. Flexibility is granted via emissions trading and int’l permits.

Cost sharing of the emission burden by implementing a Partnership Fund.

Investing in infrastructure to further reduce emissions (transportation, CO2 pipeline).

Elaborate upon programs such as Technology Partnerships Canada, the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM), as result of better use of innovation strategies.

Use information, innovation, taxes, and regulations to meet goals in individual areas and program aspects.

National Climate Change Business Plan-Transportation Expand the use of low carbon fuels

such as ethanol Increase the frequency of public

transportation use and curb use of personal vehicles.

Increase fuel efficiency of vehicles by 25% by the year 2010.

National Climate Change Business Plan-Homes Expand use cost-shared home energy

audits Inform homeowners such that they will

choose to purchase energy efficient appliances.

National Climate Change Business Plan-Large Industrial Emitters

Set emission targets via covenants based on incentives.

Emission trading, with offsets and int’l permits.

Cost shared programs such as renewable energy, clean coal projects, and a CO2 pipeline.

National Climate Change Business Plan-Renewable Energy Establish target of 10% of electricity derived

from renewable sources. Participate in clean coal demonstration

projects Determine methods of bypassing problems

with hydroelectricity transmission Work to establish a pipeline for CO2 capture

and storage

National Climate Change Business Plan-Low Emission Businesses

Even small and medium industries ought to submit to voluntary emission reductions

Provide information on affordable, energy efficient technology.

Encourage the prevention of venting of waste gasses.

National Climate Change Business Plan-Agriculture Agriculture and forestry sinks may be

sold as offsets.

National Climate Change Business Plan-International Emission Reduction

Canadian government intends to work with businesses involved in permit trading to efficiently participate in projects in developing countries.

May purchase at least 10MT of international permits in order to create business opportunities while helping developing countries with emission reduction.

Systemic Factors Influencing Canadian Position

Internationally perceived as a progressive nation between 1972 and 1992 for the environmental protection actions it had taken at that point.

Since 1993, Canada’s environmental foreign policy has changed directions.

Began to focus on economy and employment. Became a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and

began to refocus on the environment and climate change. Wanted high flexibility of emission trade and use of sinks as to lessen economic impacts.

Is currently difficult for Canada to maintain consistent positions due to a lack of any permanent liaison during this time of change.

Domestic Factors Influencing Canadian Position

Canada is attempting to balance its desire to enhance the economy and trade but also to maintain its environmentally progressive image.

A coordinated effort of the federal and provincial governments is encouraged. This has been problematic because each province is pursuing their own agenda and self interests. The federal government also wants to ensure that its policies are not affected by individual provincial desires. Centralized effort of the federal government is the best method of implementing environmental policy.

Policy making and implementation is hindered by domestic factors such as economic structure/performance,and government interactions/jurisdictions.

Leadership Factors Influencing Canadian Position

Canada has been given an opportunity to take a position as a world leader in climate change policy starting with the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment in 1972.

After 1993, that position digressed as economics and trade moved to the top of the political agenda.

In recent years, more and more confidence has been reinstalled in Canada. Canada had the opportunity to play a leading role in the Johannesburg Summit (2002) due the the election of Minister Anderson to the Presidency of the UN Environment Program Governing Council.

Economic Impact

Due to greater energy efficiency resulting from the Plan, energy bills overall will decrease. It is also suggested that fuel prices will not be significantly altered.

By 2010, estimated change in GDP is a decrease of about .4% from the expected GDP without the implementation of the Plan (between 2002 and 2010, a growth of 17.6% instead of 18%).

The implementation of the Plan affords Canada the opportunity to increase its competitiveness in the long run through increasing its energy efficiency.

Outlook on Climate Change Policy

Canada is back on the rise in terms of taking a larger role in confronting global climate change.

Canada will be hosting the first conference of the Parties to Kyoto in December 2005.

Without US participation, Canada feels that efforts for reduce GHG emissions will be far more futile than with US partnership.

Sources Cited

http://www.statcan.ca/ http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/can

ada.htm http://www.worldbank.org http://www.ec.gc.ca/ http://www.nccp.ca/ http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/ http://www.isuma.net/v02n04/leprestre/leprest

re_e.shtml http://www.unfccc.org