Canadian parliament votes for deep CO2 emissions cut

Wednesday, 25 November 2009 00:10

Canadian parliament votes for deep CO2 emissions cut OTTAWA – Canada's parliament on Tuesday passed a motion urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority Tory government to adopt a deep carbon dioxide reduction target at upcoming international climate talks.

The motion calling on the ruling Conservatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels was supported by all three of Canada's opposition parties, 137 votes to 124.

It has no legal weight.

"However, it demonstrates that the position of Canada's environment minister does not represent that of most Canadians when he goes to Copenhagen (for climate talks)," said Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe.

"And the international community will know it now," he said.

Canada has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 2006 levels by 2020, leading to a 60-70 percent reduction from 2006 levels by 2050.

But the figures are less significant when compared to the efforts of other nations and political-economic blocs -- notably the European Union, which is to cut emissions by up to 30 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels, as required by the Kyoto Protocol.

If pegged to 1990 levels, Canadian carbon reductions would amount to a mere three percent, critics note. And carbon emissions are currently up more than 35 percent from 1990.

On Monday, Canada's Quebec province announced it would cut its CO2 emissions by 20 percent from 1990 levels or about eight tonnes per resident by 2020.

It foresees requiring big changes in its transportation sector, which accounts for 40 percent of its CO2 emissions, and by industries with the introduction of a carbon market.

Beleaguered Environment Minister Jim Prentice suggested that past transfers of federal funds to Quebec would help the province achieve its lofty goal.

At the upcoming climate talks in Copenhagen, meanwhile, he said Canadian negotiators would push for all major emitters to accept CO2 reduction targets, alluding to the United States, China and India.

"Canadian negotiators will fight to ensure that the next climate treaty really reduces greenhouse gas emissions while protecting Canadian interests," he said.

Sixty-five heads of state are expected at the Copenhagen climate talks from December 7 to 18.

(Source:Yahoo.News)