Download History of climate negotiations

History of climate negotiations
June 1988: At the World Conference on the Changing Atmosphere in Toronto, politicians and scientists conclude
that "humanity is conducting an unintended, uncontrolled, globally pervasive experiment whose ultimate
consequences could be second only to a global nuclear war." The conference recommends reducing carbon
dioxide emissions 20 per cent by 2005.
November 1988: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has its first meeting in Geneva. The IPCC,
which now consists of 2,500 leading scientists and experts on climate change, is given a mandate to assess the
state of scientific knowledge on climate change, evaluate its impacts and come up with realistic solutions.
August 1990: The IPCC publishes its First Assessment Report, which concludes the increasing accumulation of
human-made greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would "enhance the greenhouse effect, resulting on average in
an additional warming of the Earth's surface" unless measures are adopted to limit the emissions of these gases.
June 1992: At the Rio Earth Summit, 154 signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) agree to stabilize "greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would
prevent dangerous interference with the climate system." Developed countries accept responsibility for the
overwhelming majority of emissions and "aim to stabilize" those emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000.
October 1993: In Canada, the federal Liberals' election platform includes a promise to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions 20 per cent below 1988 levels by 2005.
March 1995: The first Conference of the Parties, made up of signatories to the UNFCCC, acknowledges that the
UNFCCC is inadequate without country-specific commitments and agrees to negotiate emission-reduction targets
for industrialized countries.
December 1995: The IPCC releases its Second Assessment Report, which concludes: "The balance of evidence
suggests a discernible human influence on global climate."
July 1996: In Geneva, at the second Conference of the Parties, the U.S. agrees to legally binding targets and
timetables to reduce emissions, but also proposes an international emissions-trading scheme. More than 100
other countries also agree to develop targets.
March 1997: At a meeting in Geneva, European environment ministers propose industrialized nations reduce their
emissions 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010. The chair of the IPCC states that all nations, developed and
developing, would eventually be required to reduce emissions in order to stabilize the atmosphere.
December 1997: More than 150 countries sign the Kyoto Protocol, which binds 38 industrialized countries (called
Annex 1 countries) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels for the
period of 2008-2012. To make it law, at least 55 countries must ratify the Protocol and 55 per cent of Annex 1
emissions must be covered. Though details are not finalized, the agreement includes "flexibility" mechanisms that
would allow industrialized nations to get credit for actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in other countries.
Canada is successful in including "carbon sinks" within the agreement, enabling countries to count carbon stored in
forests and soils toward their emission-reduction targets.
October 1999: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder challenges Annex 1 nations to ratify the Protocol by 2002.
The EU says it is "ready and willing" to do so. Canada and the U.S. oppose a deadline.
November 2000: The talks at the sixth Conference of the Parties in The Hague collapse. Similar to previous
Conferences of the Parties in 1998 and 1999, Canada joins the U.S., Japan and Australia in trying to exploit
loopholes in Kyoto's "flexibility" mechanisms. The European Union and many small island states, meanwhile, try to
restrict credit to actions that actually reduce emissions.
January-May 2001: The IPCC releases its Third Assessment Report, which states "There is new and stronger
evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities." Seventeen
national and regional academies of science state: "The work of the ... IPCC represents the consensus of the
international science community on climate change science. We recognize IPCC as the world's most reliable source
of information ... and endorse its method of achieving this consensus."
March 2001: Two months after his inauguration, U.S. President George W. Bush announces his country's
withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol.
June 2001: All nations except for the U.S. agree on the principles of implementing the Kyoto Protocol at a meeting
in Bonn. To reach agreement, Canada drops its demand that credit be given for nuclear sales to developing
countries, but succeeds in getting generous credits for agricultural and forest sinks.
December 2001: In Marrakech, Morocco, the final elements of the Kyoto Protocol are hammered out. The U.S.,
Canada, Japan and Australia force the EU to accept major concessions in order to reach the final agreement.
December 2002: Following a three-month national debate, Canada ratifies the Kyoto Protocol.
February 16, 2005: The Kyoto Protocol becomes international law after Russian ratification pushes the emissions
of ratified Annex 1 countries over the 55 per cent mark.
May 2005: Bonn hosts the first official negotiating meeting after Kyoto comes into force, where discussion begins
on the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol, post-2012.
February-November 2007: The IPCC releases its Fourth Assessment Report, calling anthropogenic climate change
"unequivocal" and stating that "most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th
century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations."
July 2009: G8 countries agree that a limit of 2ºC of average global warming should not be exceeded. To reach this
goal, global greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by at least 50 per cent by 2050 and emissions from
developed countries should be reduced by 80 per cent or more.
Nov 2009: The Copenhagen Diagnosis is released, providing new evidence to suggest that several important
aspects of climate change are occurring at a rate even greater than predicted by the IPCC's Fourth Assessment
Report in 2007. Authors conclude that global emissions must peak and then decline rapidly within the next five to
10 years if global warming is to be limited to a maximum of 2ºC above pre-industrial levels.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/climate-change/science/international-climate-negotiations/history-of-climatenegotiations/
News Release
Canada and British Columbia Sign Agreement on GHG Data Collection
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- December 17, 2010 --- Today, Canada's Environment Minister, the
Honourable John Baird, and British Columbia's Minister of State for Climate Action, the
Honourable John Yap, announced that Canada and British Columbia will coordinate their
greenhouse gas emission reporting under a national single window system.
"Accurate reporting of greenhouse gas emissions provides vital data in support of our domestic
and international climate change goals and obligations," said Minister Baird. "This is an
important agreement that will minimize duplication and reduce the reporting burden for industry
and governments through the development of a single window GHG reporting system."
"Being able to report GHG emissions only once while meeting the requirements of both the
federal and provincial governments will save British Columbia industries time and money," said
Minister Yap. "This is another example of the strong partnership we have with the Government
of Canada, and single window reporting will be an important tool as British Columbia moves
towards a regional cap-and-trade system."
Under the auspices of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), the
federal, provincial and territorial governments made a commitment to ensure that all jurisdictions
are able to measure, track and report progress on the reduction of greenhouse gases.
On March 15, 2010, Environment Canada launched its Single Window Reporting System to
collect information on greenhouse gas emissions in support of the Department's mandatory
reporting programs for greenhouse gases.
Canada is committed to reaching the target we inscribed in the Copenhagen Accord to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions of 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=615F3B21-033F-4BD3-9A1474098416EA04
News Release
Government of Canada Highlights
Commitment to Renewable Fuels
OTTAWA, Ont. -- December 15, 2010 -- On behalf of Canada's Environment Minister, the
Honourable John Baird, the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and
Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, highlighted today the Government of Canada's
commitment to renewable fuels. Federal regulations requiring 5 per cent renewable fuel content
in gasoline came into effect today, December 15, 2010.
"This initiative is one of Canada's contributions to the fight against climate change," said
Minister Ritz. "We are proud to be moving forward with the Renewable Fuels Regulations as
they will benefit Canada's economy, our farmers and our environment."
These Regulations are one pillar of the Government's broader Renewable Fuels Strategy. The
Strategy will establish a demand for renewable fuels that will help stimulate Canadian biofuels
production, create jobs and new market opportunities for farmers, and help create jobs in rural
communities, while accelerating the commercialization of new biofuel technologies.
"This federal 5 per cent requirement is estimated to result in a reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions of one megatonne per year over and above the reductions attributable to existing
provincial requirements-the equivalent of taking a quarter million vehicles off the road," said
Minister Baird.
"Biofuels can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants while sustaining
economic growth and development," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural
Resources. "In the midst of a global economic slowdown, our Government is working to
accelerate key investments in Canada in order to create jobs and help stimulate our economy."
These Regulations are a key initiative in support of the Government of Canada's commitment to
reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020. In
addition, the Government of Canada has finalized vehicle tailpipe emissions regulations under
the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, that are aligned with those of the United
States, and is working to do the same for heavy-duty vehicles.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=41704C39-126F-40E0-862FAEB77721B161
News Release
United Nations Climate Change Negotiations Close With Progress in Key Areas
CANCUN, Mexico -- December 11, 2010 -- Negotiations under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change wrapped up earlier this morning at COP16 with the adoption of
the Cancun Agreement.
"We came here to advance a balanced package, and we achieved that goal," said Minister Baird.
"We are coming out of Cancun with progress and outcomes reflecting the interests of Canadians,
and every country represented here."
The Cancun Agreement anchors the pledges inscribed in the Copenhagen Accord, which
included the establishment of a Green Climate Fund that will be instrumental in mobilizing the
financing needed to tackle this global challenge. We also made progress on the REDD+
mechanism to address global deforestation, the establishment of a technology transfer
mechanism, and the details of an adaptation framework.
This outcome is the result of two weeks of negotiations in which Canada played a key role. "Our
negotiating team worked extremely hard and I am proud of the work we have accomplished,"
said Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada's Chief Negotiator and Ambassador for Climate Change. "We
have laid good groundwork for further progress in these complex negotiations."
We would like to recognize the leadership of Her Excellency, Mrs. Patricia Espinosa. The
success of this year's Conference was in large part due to a strong Mexican Presidency.
Late last year, over 120 world leaders agreed on a path forward in the global effort to address
climate change which culminated in the Copenhagen Accord. Canada has followed through on
its commitment to the Accord by committing our fair share of fast-start funding and by
inscribing an ambitious and realistic emissions reduction target of 17 per cent below 2005 levels
by 2020.
Canada will continue to work constructively to implement the Copenhagen Accord and to
complete the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
for a comprehensive, legally binding post-2012 agreement that is fair, effective and
comprehensive.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=07DC4B18-C339-47E8-92138FFB70F98D59
News Release
Government of Canada Invests in Community
Environmental Project in Cowichan Valley, British
Columbia
NANAIMO, B.C. -- November 3, 2010 -- The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment
Minister, today announced funding from the EcoAction Community Funding Program for a new
environmental project in the Cowichan Valley, in British Columbia. $85,308 in federal funding
will support local action to reduce pollution, improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife
and natural habitat.
"This government is committed to addressing the environmental priorities of Canadians," said
Minister Prentice. "We are proud to support community groups across the country willing to take
concrete action through on-the-ground environmental projects that will achieve a more
sustainable Canada. Your actions, large or small, will help to protect the abundance and variety
of life that is part of our natural heritage."
The Friends of Cowichan Creek project will engage community members in the protection of
riparian habitat. The focus of this two-year pilot project is on the ecological restoration of six
urban creeks within the Cowichan Valley. Four streamkeeper courses and two riparian
restoration workshops will be offered to increase the capacity and knowledge of those taking part
in the project.
"The Cowichan Land Trust currently supports youth streamkeeper groups on two local streams,
and this funding will enable us to continue supporting these groups and to establish new
streamkeepers on several other local creeks," said John Scull, volunteer streamkeeper, Young
Naturalist Club leader, and member of the Cowichan Land Trust Board. "These small streams
provided important habitat for fish and other wildlife, and are important for maintaining water
quality throughout the region."
The EcoAction Community Funding Program is a Government of Canada initiative that supports
projects that rehabilitate, protect or enhance the natural environment, and builds the capacity of
communities and individuals in support of a more sustainable Canada. The project announced
today will assist locally-based, non-profit organizations in initiating actions that result in cleaner
air, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner water, and the protection of nature at the
local community level.
More information about the EcoAction Community Funding Program is available on
Environment Canada's website at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=C2499EFB-EAD3-4596-B52C6BC369779057
News Release
Canada's Environment Minister Announces Important Step Towards Reducing
Electricity Sector Emissions
Saskatchewan -- August 19, 2011 -- Today, Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent
announced that the Government of Canada is moving forward with Regulations for the coal-fired
electricity sector.
"Our strategy to lower our emissions is based on making improvements sector by sector to
sustain our economy and protect our environment," said Minister Kent. "We are taking action in
the electricity sector because we recognize the potential for significant emissions reductions. We
are committed to build on our strength in the electricity sector and to lead the world in clean
electricity generation."
These proposed Regulations will apply a stringent performance standard to new coal-fired
electricity generation units and those coal-fired units that have reached the end of their economic
life. This will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for all Canadians for
generations to come.
The gradual phase-out of traditional coal-fired electricity generation is expected to have a
significant impact on reducing emissions. The proposed regulations, in addition to other
measures taken by federal and provincial governments and utilities to reduce electricity
emissions from coal and other sources, are projected to result in a decline in the absolute level of
GHG emissions from electricity generation.
The Government first announced its intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the
electricity sector on June 23, 2010. Since then, consultations have been ongoing with key
stakeholders to inform the development of the proposed Regulations. These regulations will be
published in the Canada Gazette Part I on August 27 for a 60-day public consultation period.
Final Regulations are expected to be published in 2012, and regulations are scheduled to come
into effect on July 1, 2015.
The Government of Canada is making progress towards our ambitious target of reducing our
greenhouse gas emissions 17 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020 through a sector-by-sector
approach aligned with the U.S.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=2E5D45F6-E0A4-45C4-A49DA3514E740296
News Release
Canada Working to Address Emissions from Heavy-duty Vehicles
OTTAWA, Ont. -- August 9, 2011 -- Today, the Honorable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment
Minister, released a consultation paper on the development of proposed regulations to limit
greenhouse gas emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. Canada and the United States
are taking a common North American approach and Canada intends to implement regulations
with the 2014 model year in alignment with the United States.
"We are moving forward with our sector by sector approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
in coordination with the United States," said Minister Kent. "Building on our successful
collaboration with the United States on the development of common North American standards
for light-duty vehicles, we are also working together to do the same for heavy-duty vehicles."
This consultation paper is intended to provide another opportunity for interested parties to submit
early comments prior to publishing proposed regulations in Canada Gazette Part I. Proposed
regulations are targeted for publication in Canada Gazette Part I early in 2012 for a 60-day
comment period.
The proposed regulations would seek to reduce emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of the
whole range of new on-road heavy-duty vehicles from full-size pick-up trucks to tractor-trailers,
and include a wide variety of vocational vehicles such as freight, delivery, service, cement,
garbage and dump trucks, as well as buses. The proposed regulations would also seek to promote
the implementation of advanced technology vehicles such as hybrid and electric vehicles.
Reducing emissions in the transportation sector is a key component in the Government's plan to
reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. In addition to the
proposed heavy-duty regulations, the Government has also finalized regulations to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles and mandated a requirement for an average of
five percent renewable content in gasoline, and two percent content for diesel and heating oil.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=8E1D0595-47C2-4B34-8DF37F86D3B6B210
News Release
Canada's Environment Minister Announces Start Date for Biodiesel
Requirement
SASKATOON, Sask. -- June 29, 2011 -- Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter
Kent, today announced that the Government is moving ahead with the 2 percent renewable
content requirement in diesel fuel and heating oil.
"Our Government will continue to ensure that protecting our environment, while balancing
economic growth and prosperity remains our priority", said Minister Kent. "The steps we are
taking on renewable fuels, combined with those of the provinces, will ensure a volume of
renewable fuel that will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by about four megatonnes a
year--the equivalent of removing one million vehicles from the road."
"This requirement will further strengthen the market for renewable fuels, which is good news for
our farmers and the environment," said the Honorable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. "Increased demand for feed stocks like
canola will ensure an even stronger bottom line for farmers and a stronger agricultural sector."
The regulatory amendment to the Renewable Fuels Regulations will be published in the Canada
Gazette, Part II, in the coming weeks. The coming-into-force date for the requirement is July 1,
2011. A non official, pre-published version of the regulations is available at
http://www.ec.gc.ca/energie-energy/default.asp?lang=En&n=0AA71ED2-1.
The Government has carefully considered all the comments received on the proposal and is
balancing possible competitiveness impacts on eastern refiners with the need to minimize delays
to support the Canadian biodiesel industry in moving forward.
A permanent exemption is being provided for renewable content in diesel fuel and heating
distillate oil sold in Newfoundland and Labrador to address the logistical challenges of blending
biodiesel in this region. Temporary exemptions for renewable content in diesel fuel and heating
distillate oil sold in Quebec and all Atlantic Provinces are being provided until December 31,
2012. This 18-month period will allow eastern refiners time to install biodiesel blending
infrastructure.
This is an important initiative in support of our commitment to reduce Canada's total greenhouse
gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. It is also further action the Government
of Canada has taken in the transportation sector. In addition, the Government of Canada has
finalized vehicle tailpipe emissions regulations, and is working to do the same for heavy-duty
vehicles.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=51700503-B277-4951-9DDD2CDDE62C501A
News Release
City of Vancouver Declares June 11th as "Environment Canada Day" in
Celebration of 40 Years of Environmental Leadership
VANCOUVER, BC -- May 24, 2011 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the
Environment, today accepted a Proclamation from the City of Vancouver declaring that June 11,
2011, is "Environment Canada Day". Vancouver City Deputy Mayor Ellen Woodsworth
presented the Proclamation, signed by Mayor Gregor Robertson, to Minister Kent in recognition
of Environment Canada's 40th anniversary-celebrating years of environmental leadership.
"On behalf of all those who have contributed to making Environment Canada an environmental
leader over the past 40 years, I am very pleased to accept this Proclamation," said Minister Kent.
"I thank Mayor Gregor Robertson for this honour and call to action to further the protection and
preservation of our natural environment."
The Proclamation acknowledges Environment Canada's legacy of accomplishments and calls on
all Vancouverites, British Columbians and Canadians to take action for improving environmental
sustainability for present and future generations.
Environment Canada has contributed to the City of Vancouver in a number of different areas
including playing an important role in the planning and delivery of the 2010 Winter Games,
conducting critical water quality monitoring in the Georgia Basin, delivering weather forecasting
and air quality monitoring out of the Vancouver-based Pacific Storm Prediction Centre and
operating Environment Canada's regional environmental emergency program out of the City of
Vancouver.
The Proclamation also acknowledges Canada's Meteorological Service, which, also marks an
important anniversary this year-its 140th.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=55A3A4A6-5AD0-48A6-81BA3B5AA5DDE3E5
News Release
Harper Government Moves Forward With Regulations for
Renewable Fuel Content in Diesel Fuel and Heating Oil
HAMILTON, Ont. -- February 10, 2011 -- The Harper Government today announced that it is
moving forward with the requirement for an average 2 per cent renewable content in diesel fuel
and heating oil.
"When we announced our Renewable Fuels Strategy, we were clear that the 2 per cent
requirement would be implemented subject to technical feasibility," said the Honourable Peter
Kent, Minister of the Environment. "After positive results, we are moving forward with this
requirement which will result in further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately in
cleaner air for all Canadians.''
"We are meeting the commitments we have made to farmers, rural communities and industry to
regulate the use of renewable fuels," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "The new renewable
fuel content in biodiesel and heating oil will give our farmers another market for their crops and
demonstrates how agriculture can contribute to reducing Canada's environmental footprint."
Our Government's Renewable Fuels Regulations were published on September 1, 2010. The
regulations already require an average of 5 per cent renewable content in gasoline. The
regulations also contained the provisions to require an average of 2 per cent renewable content in
diesel fuel and heating oil.
When fully implemented, the Strategy's two regulatory requirements combined with provincial
regulations will ensure a total volume of renewable fuel that will reduce annual greenhouse gas
emissions by up to four megatonnes-about the equivalent of taking one million vehicles off the
road.
The proposed regulatory amendment will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I in the
coming weeks for a 60-day public comment period. The Government of Canada is proposing a
coming into force date of July 1, 2011.
The Harper Government worked closely with industry partners to support several projects to
demonstrate how renewable diesel fuel would perform under the range of Canadian conditions.
The report concluded that an average of 2 per cent renewable content is technically feasible.
Reducing emissions in the transportation sector is a key component in the Government's plan to
achieve Canada's target of reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent from 2005
levels by 2020. In addition to the Renewable Fuels Regulations, the Government has also
finalized regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles and is working
to do the same for heavy-duty vehicles.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=BDE26528-CBCB-4008-949D-CDFDFBD054FB
Long-term trends and comparisons by sector: 1990-2008
Between 1990 and 2008, the net increase in Canada’s annual GHG emissions totalled about 142
Mt. Table 2 provides a breakdown of GHG by sector. While the long-term trend has shown an
overall increase of 24% since 1990, the trend in more recent years (starting in 2000) has shown a
decline in the rate of emissions increase. From 1990 to 2000 the average annual growth in
emissions was 2.1%, while in contrast, between 2000 and 2008, the average annual emission
growth was 0.3%.
The change in the rate of growth in emissions since 2000 can be attributed to:

Increases in efficiency, modernization of industrial processes, and structural changes in the
composition of the economy, which are long term trends that have had an increased impact on
emissions since the late 90s.
o
The structural changes have involved a move from an industrial-oriented economy to a
more service-based economy. Between 2000 and 2008, the GDP of the service
industries has risen by 28%, while heavy industries and manufacturing together have
grown by only 3%. Since service industries have a much lower economic GHG intensity
than that of the goods producing industries, this ongoing change has lowered Canadian
GHG emissions.
o
Together, efficiency increases and technology and structural changes have resulted in a
continuing weakening of the link between GDP growth and emissions, so that the GHG
intensity of the economy (that is, GHG emissions per $ GDP) has decreased on average
by 2.2% per year since 1997 (see Figure 2). This has allowed the economy to grow much
more rapidly than emissions.

Leveling off of emissions from electric power, which had been rising rapidly until then. In 2000,
coal generation was at or close to its highest level ever. Since then, the contribution of coal
generation to the electricity supply mix has been declining.

Production of conventional oil peaked in 1998 in Canada and gas production leveled off in
2002. In both cases, this was the result of limited conventional reserves, which has offset the
impact of oil sands growth since about 2000.
Returning to the overall long term greenhouse gas emission trend from 1990 to 2008, there are a
number of factors which have contributed to the noted growth:

Between 1990 and 2008, major increases in oil and gas production (much of it for export), as
well a large increase in the number of motor vehicles and greater reliance on coal-fired
electricity generation, have resulted in a significant rise in emissions. The rise in GHG emissions
since 1990 largely mirrors an increase in primary energy use, although emissions per unit of
energy consumed fell slightly (see Figure 2).

Over the same period, emissions from the energy industries4 and transportation areas rose by
about 130 Mt, accounting for most of the overall increase. Within these two energy areas, the
greatest contributors to the overall increase were the 116% increase from light-duty gasoline
trucks, the 24% increase from electricity and heat generation, and the 90% increase from heavyduty diesel vehicles. Much of the increase in fossil fuel production is attributable to the rapid
growth in crude oil and natural gas exports to the United States over the period.

The Industrial Processes, Agriculture and Waste sectors contributed to changes in emissions
levels; they showed a 2.2 Mt decrease, a 14.0 Mt increase and a 2.8 Mt increase, respectively,
since 1990.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/ges-ghg/default.asp?lang=En&n=0590640B-1