The key facts, figures, and policies behind Canada’s climate performance in 2009.
 | Canada's Emission TrendsClick on the image to see Canada's emission trends since 1990 (Graphic: WWF/Allianz) |
Improvements since 1990
G8 Ranking: 8
-Past emission trend from 1990 to 2007: +26.2%
-Current (2007) distance to the Kyoto target: +32.2%-points
-Increase of the share of renewable energy sources: -0.1%-points
Current Status
G8 Ranking: 6
-Emissions per capita: 24 tons CO2
-Emissions per GDP: 668 tons CO2 /M$
-CO2 per kWh electricity: 240 grams CO2
-Emissions in transport per capita: 6.1 tons CO2
Policies for the future
G8 Ranking: 7
- Abandoned Kyoto Protocol commitment
- Federal government will not purchase international emission credits to reach Kyoto target
- As of 2012, new coal-fired power plants must have carbon capture and storage (CCS). The federal budget includes one billion Canadian dollars for CCS projects
- An ethanol target of 5 percent by 2010 and 2 percent biodiesel by 2012 will be supported by financial incentives for producers and up to 1.5 billion Canadian dollars of public money
 | Animation: G8 Climate Scorecards 2009Click on the image to see the climate performance of the G8 countries (Animation: Allianz) |
Canada ranks last of all G8 countries in the WWF/Allianz Climate Scorecards report: total emissions are steadily increasing and are far above the Kyoto target, per capita emissions are among the highest in the world. Mid to long-term greenhouse gas targets are inadequate.
The government's "Turning the Corner" plan seeks to cut emissions by 20 percent below 2006 levels by 2020, only 2.7 percent below 1990 levels. A plan to curb emissions was developed in 2008 but has not been implemented. The Kyoto target will stay completely out of reach.
Some Canadian provinces have been more proactive on greenhouse gas regulation than the federal government. British Columbia plans an economy wide carbon tax and cap-and-trade system for large emitters. Alberta aims for a 12 percent reduction of industrial emission intensity by the end of 2008 while Ontario is to phase out coal fired power plants.
editor: James Tulloch
publishing date: July 1, 2009
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