Environment Canada
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Proactive Disclosure
Turning the Corner:
Canada's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution
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Latest AnnouncementsAugust 9, 2008 - Government Launches Offset System (website) Related Documents June 29, 2008 - Government Launches Credit for Early Action Program: Phase I is now open Related Documents Details of plan to reduce industrial greenhouse gases [March 10, 2008]Related Documents:
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Climate change is a serious environmental challenge. The Government of Canada understands Canadians' concerns about the environment and has developed an aggressive strategy to tackle climate change by taking action to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. This approach is concrete, practical, and will result in real improvements to our climate and our environment.
The Government is committed to drastically reducing Canada's greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution as set out in its Turning the Corner Plan. With the Turning the Corner plan the Government of Canada is putting into place one of the toughest regulatory regimes in the world to meet its target of reducing greenhouse gases an absolute 20% from 2006 by 2020. And it is a plan which balances the need to protect the environment while growing the economy.
On March 10, 2008, the Government announced further details of the greenhouse gas emissions regulations of the Turning the Corner plan after extensive consultations with environmental groups, industry and other stakeholders.
Over the past few months, the Government has announced details on the Credit for Early Action Program and the Offset System, two key components of the plan. Proposed greenhouse gas regulations are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette later this year, and the regulations finalized in 2009 to come into force as planned on January 1, 2010.
The Government has also announced proposed regulations to reduce air pollution by limiting the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in certain consumer and commercial products. VOCs are precursor pollutants contributing to the formation of both particulate matter and ground-level ozone, two of the main ingredients of smog. See announcement
The challenge to reduce greenhouse gases an absolute 20% from 2006 levels by 2020 is great. It requires action by the federal government, provinces, municipalities, industry, and everyday Canadians. The Government of Canada strongly believes in the ingenuity and the willingness of Canadians to tackle the challenge of climate change, while continuing to grow our economy. Canadians are ready to face the challenge and win.
Background
In October 2006, the Government issued a Notice of intent to develop and implement regulations and other measures to reduce air emissions. A key commitment in that Notice of Intent was to develop an approach to regulate industrial greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. (October 21, 2006 - Government issues notice of intent to develop and implement regulations and other measures to reduce air emissions)
Following up on that commitment, the Government unveiled its Turning the Corner plan to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, on April 26, 2007 (Canada's New Government Announces Mandatory Industrial Targets to Tackle Climate Change and Reduce Air Pollution). This plan sets out the approach for reducing greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions from industry. It also outlines planned regulatory measures to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, actions on consumer and commercial products, and actions to improve indoor air quality.
In December 2007, the Government of Canada formally required industry to provide information about their emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases (Government of Canada Gets Tough on Climate Change: Orders Industry to Submit Air Emissions Information ). This information will be used to draft regulations in 2008.
On March 10, 2008, the Government announced further details of the greenhouse gas emissions regulations of the Turning the Corner plan, after extensive consultations with environmental groups, industry and other stakeholders. With its Turning the Corner plan, the Government of Canada is taking action and putting into place one of the toughest regulatory regimes in the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions. And it is a plan which balances the need to protect the environment while growing the economy.
Addressing industrial emissions is a key part of the Government's plan to tackle climate change and improve air quality. For more information on what the Government is doing to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232, or TTY 1-800-926-9105).
