Canadian Federal Policy
In December 1997, Canada and more than 160 other countries met in Kyoto, Japan, to discuss reducing GHGs on a global level. The subsequent agreement that set out those targets and the means by which they would be achieved is known as the Kyoto Protocol.
Created under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Protocol was underwritten by several countries and is governed by the global legislation enacted under the UN’s aegis. Countries that ratified this protocol committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and five other greenhouse gases — nitrous oxide, methane, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) — or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases. Since its inception, the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 163 countries around the world that produce more than 65% of the world’s global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Under Kyoto, these countries have been separated into two general categories; developed and developing countries, also referred to as Annex 1 and Non-Annex 1 countries. The former have accepted obligations to reduce their GHG emissions through internal policies or by purchasing carbon credits (negotiable allowances of GHG production) from Non-Annex 1 countries. However, should they fail to meet their obligations, they will be subject to a fine and further penalized with a reduction increase of 30 per cent. Non-Annex 1 countries have no GHG emission reduction obligations.
On April 29, 1998, Federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart signed the Kyoto Protocol on behalf of the Government of Canada. At that time, Canada set a reduction target for itself, to have emissions six per cent below 1990 levels for 2008–2012. A collective goal for Annex 1 countries under Kyoto is to reduce emissions to five per cent below 1990 levels, or approximately 15 per cent below projected levels for 2008.
In 1998 under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Canada had intended to achieve the majority of its GHG reductions through actions taken domestically. Not only would this have contributed to the global climate change effort, but it would have brought other environmental benefits to Canadians such as cleaner air. Canada has since been unable to meet its Kyoto commitments.
In 2006, the Conservative Party was elected to office. Shortly thereafter, they announced Canada would withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol in favour of a made-in-Canada solution. This solution is expected to be announced in the autumn of 2006.
On October 19, 2006 Federal Environment Minister Rona Ambrose delivered the central components of Canada's Clean Air Act in Parliament.