Doing their bit : ensuring large industrial emitters contribute adequately to Canada's implementation of the Kyoto Protocol

A recent educational campaign by the Canadian government made use of the slogan: Climate change. Are you doing your bit? It was meant to encourage every segment of society to accept its air share of responsibility in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are a major culprit in causing climate change. In December 2002, Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol, with a commitment to reduce GHGs emissions by 6 per cent below the 1990 level during the period 2008-2012. In 2001, industrial facilities, including electricity generation, were responsible for 53 per cent of GHG emissions in Canada. Between 1990 and 2001, GHG emissions in Canada increased by an average of 18.4 per cent, but emissions from industry increased by 23.3 per cent during that same time period. In November 2002 the Canadian government published a document entitled Climate Change Plan for Canada, which included a blueprint for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol in Canada. This present document provides an assessment of the scenario developed for reducing GHG emissions by industry, and questions if industry is being asked to do enough. The following are some of the many issues addressed in this document: the use of emissions intensity targets; offset credits for reductions in emissions not covered by covenants; other measures to reduce emissions from large industry; the special case of electricity generation; allocating emission reductions among sectors and companies; use of international emissions trading mechanisms; and, timing issues. refs., 1 tab., 4 figs