Environment

Post-Kyoto Canada and Environment

"The rising cost of fossil fuel energy and the increasing deterioration of the Earth's climate and ecology are the driving factors that will condition all of the economic and political decisions we make in the course of the next half-century," said Jeremy Rifkin in his book The Emphatic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis, 2009. Recently global warming has become an acute problem that needs to be solved with collective efforts. Kyoto Protocol was the one among such efforts. Canada's withdrawal from the protocol put the country's image, its place on the global economy and commitments to environment under doubt.

Kyoto Protocol is considered to be the only "framework by which the world could test itself to say which countries are capable to play nice in the global playground" [i].  Adopted in 1997, the protocol commits industrialized countries to stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while implies no commitments to developing countries. Since economies of these countries, particularly China and India, are advancing rapidly, they emit more and more. Consequently, share of developed countries into total global emissions will decline. Having overtaken the US in 2005 as the world's largest overall greenhouse gas emitter, "by 2020 China's greenhouse gas emissions are expected to account for 27 per cent of global emissions, up from about 20 per cent in 2005" [ii].

This discrepancy caused Canada's skepticism and led the country insist on a legally binding agreement which would oblige the world's largest emitters – the US and China – cut their emissions. For Peter Kent, Canadian Environment Minister, Kyoto is redundant as a treaty [iii].

Kyoto is not a path forward to the global solution to the climate change.

Kyoto Protocol was signed by Canada in 1997, obliging the country cut greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012, but the country could not meet its targets: In 2009, Canada emitted 690 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, 17 per cent above 1990 levels [iv]. Kent argued that due to the non-met Kyoto criteria Canada would be fined with 14 billion US Dollars, claiming the cost would be "equivalent of $1,600 from every Canadian family – with absolutely no impact on emissions or the environment" [v].

Post-Kyoto Implications

Economy:

Climate change results into economic losses, but these losses will be less tangible during the next three of four decades, suggests The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. Cost imposed by climate change will increase from $5 billion per year in 2020 to $21-$43 billion per year by 2050, being heavy economic burden "on future generations with higher future emissions" [vi].

Tom Rand, Senior Advisor of Mars Discovery District, sees Kyoto Protocol as a pathway towards global market. Upon Canada's withdrawal from the protocol, Rand said: "We have lost our voice and credibility to negotiate something at our best interest" [vii]. He reiterated that by withdrawing Canada has betrayed "a long-term economic benefit" and lost a chance to enter global market in future. Opt-out from Kyoto was an appalling decision for Elizabeth May, the Leader of Green Party Canada, as she put it in these words [viii]:

Refusing to be a part of the global effort to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate will put Canada behind economically as other countries make investments in efficiencies and renewable energy.

Environment:

Environmentalists say Canada's reputation has been damaged by withdrawing from Kyoto Protocol [ix]. Elizabeth May maintains that, although not meetings the criteria, Canada could have stayed in Kyoto Protocol, without moving to new targets (first commitment period is ending in December, 2012), like Japan did [x].

Using alternative energy supplies is costly and may not be as effective as foreseen. Margarete Wente of Globe and Mail recalls the example of the European Union: "According to the Swiss bank UBS, the European Union's carbon trading scheme has cost European consumers $285-billion, while having "almost zero impact" on carbon emissions" [xi]. 

Another option is to develop sustainable energy, to raise Canada's energy efficiency. Reasonable allocation of energy resources advances economy and raises the country's competitiveness on the global market. Peter Kent said sustainable energy is "the balance between developing… the God-given energy resources that the country has been blessed with in a way that both encourage jobs, prosperity, and a great future in stewardship of the environment" [xii]

Legislation:

Post-Kyoto climate highlighted the need for a national energy policy. Recently the national resources committee at the House of Commons put the agenda on the table. While Liberals are calling for the national energy policy, Conservatives oppose, reminding them about devastating outcomes of the 1980s' National Energy Program. Inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions into the national energy policy stirred up another harsh debate [xiii]. 

National energy strategy is a priority for the Energy Policy Institute of Canada. The strategy would be the main tool for Canadians to influence the coming half century and to flourish at the same time, leading "to a better understanding of our national interest… to meet our full potential as a responsible global energy provider," claims the institute [xiv].

Official Canada's Commitments to Environment 

Doubts over Canada's commitment to environment were responded by the country's affirmation to Copenhagen Accord to reduce GHG emissions to 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 [xv]. Unlike Kyoto Protocol, the Copenhagen Accord has China, the US, Brazil and India among its signatory countries. In his speech to magazine Policy Options, Peter Kent said Canada contributes by less than 2% annually to the world's GHG emissions [xvi]. 

In order to reduce GHG emissions and control climate, the country has allocated funding, has undertaken sector-by-sector approach starting with transport and electricity [xvii], has developed air quality management system in the provinces "which will eventually engage with the United States in terms of a continental air quality management system" [xviii].

Canada's post-Kyoto plan is to set up a new climate change regime which would involve 80 percent of the world's largest emitters and lead to real reduction of GHG emissions. The first step is to hold talks with the US and other partners "on short-lived climate forcers" [xix]. The government will make an announcement in February firstly with the partners in Alberta "on water, air, and biodiversity monitoring" [xx].

"We are bound to this land, and we must protect it," said Peter Kent to the Financial Post [xxi]. Strong commitment, pragmatic and realistic choices stipulate achievements. Canada claims to have strong commitment towards reduction of GHG emissions, has undertaken concrete steps towards cleaner environment and energy efficiency which, on its turn, leads to economic growth and healthy generation. All these deeds repeal alarming post-Kyoto assumptions and bear a sparkle of hope.

Notes:

1. "Debating Canada's Decision to Quit Kyoto", The Globe and Mail, last modified December 13, 2011 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-debating-canadas-decision-to-quit-kyoto/article2269763/
2. Canada's Emission Trends, Environment Canada (July, 2011): 9
3. "Canada Formally Abandons Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change", The Globe and Mail, last modified December 13, 2011 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-formally-abandons-kyoto-protocol-on-climate-change/article2268432/
4. "Former MP Taking Ottawa to Court over Kyoto", Canada.com, modified January 13, 2012 http://www.canada.com/technology/Former+taking+Ottawa+court+over+Kyoto+withdrawal/5993688/story.html
5. "Canada First Nation to Withdraw from Kyoto Protocol", thestar.com, accessed January 26, 2012 http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1100802--canada-withdrawing-from-kyoto
6. "Paying the Price: The Economic Impacts of Climate Change for Canada", The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, Canada: 344 Slater Street, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ontario, 2011, 40-41
7. "Debating Canada's Decision to Quit Kyoto", The Globe and Mail, last modified December 13, 2011 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-debating-canadas-decision-to-quit-kyoto/article2269763 
8. "Withdrawal from Kyoto Appalling", Green Party of Canada, last modified December 13, 2011 http://greenparty.ca/media-release/2011-12-13/withdrawal-kyoto-appalling
9. "Canada Formally Abandons Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change", The Globe and Mail, last modified December 13, 2011 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-formally-abandons-kyoto-protocol-on-climate-change/article2268432/
10. "Elizabeth May: Kent's Clever Wording on Kyoto", Financial Post, accessed January 26, 2012 http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/01/25/elizabeth-may-kents-clever-wording-on-kyoto/
11. Margaret Wente, "Climate Theatre of the Absurd", The Globe and Mail, last modified December 13, 2011 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/margaret-wente/climate-theatre-of-the-absurd/article2268504/
12. L. Ian MacDonald, "After Kyoto and Durban: a Question of Balance", Policy Options (February, 2012): 10
13. Jason Fekete, Postmedia News, cited by canada.com accessed February 1, 2012 http://www.canada.com/business/Political+battle+heats+over+national+energy+strategy/6081388/story.html
14. Daniel Gagnier, "Sustainable Energy: a Driver Economic, Environmental and Social Well-being", Policy Options (February, 2012): 60
15. Ibid: 10
16. L. Ian MacDonald, "After Kyoto and Durban: a Question of Balance", Policy Options (February, 2012): 12
17. Peter Kent, "Canada's Post-Kyoto Plan", Financial Post last updated January 23, 2012 http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/20/canadas-post-kyoto-plan/?__lsa=4499f29a
18. L. Ian MacDonald, "After Kyoto and Durban: a Question of Balance", Policy Options (February, 2012):14
19. Ibid: 14
20. Ibid: 14
21. Peter Kent, "Canada's Post-Kyoto Plan", Financial Post last updated January 23, 2012 http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/20/canadas-post-kyoto-plan/?__lsa=4499f29a

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About the Author:

Ia Kverghelidze is a postgraduate in European Studies and has a keen interest in socio-economic issues. She is currently working as the Deputy Director, and enjoys exploring the lifestyles, history and traditions.