Electricity and climate change : towards a sustainable future

This report frames the issues for electricity in the Kyoto ratification debate. The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) recognizes that the electricity sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but is cautioning energy and environment Ministers to carefully evaluate the potential consequences of Canada's pursuit of the Kyoto commitment before the agreement is ratified. The CEA emphasizes that the target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 6 per cent below 1990 levels between 2008-2012 is a difficult challenge, particularly since Canada is on a path that exceeds the GHG emissions target by more than 25 per cent. In addition, Canada has been placed at a cost disadvantage relative to its major trading partner ever since the United States withdrew from the agreement. This document explains the costs of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power generation. It also explains the size of emission reductions that are realistically achievable within the Kyoto timeframe and the impacts on Canadian consumers and the economy. The CEA also proposes a framework to move Canada toward a low-emission electricity future. The National Climate Change Process (NCCP) believes that the electricity sector could achieve low-cost emission reductions more than any other sector of the economy, but the United States would have to take a comparable level of action. The CEA is working to develop a long-term policy for a sustainable electricity future that would include all fuels and technologies and which would consider environmental issues. 24 refs., 4 figs