Bold Canada Pledge To Cut Down On Niche Ozone Gas, But Will Do Nothing On Tar Sands Emissions

[hatrack]

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n Friday, the minister announced that Ottawa will enact new regulations to control hydrofluorocarbons, which are used in air conditioning and heating. The powerful short-term greenhouse gases account for only 1 per cent of Canada’s overall emissions. But she reiterated that Ottawa will not move to regulate emissions from the oil sands until the United States is ready to address its oil industry – a decision that, according to many analysts, makes it virtually impossible for Canada to hit its 2020 target.

While the United States, China and the European Union have announced new emissions targets, the Canadian government faces mounting skepticism about its commitment to meet 2020 targets, and is a long way from announcing its goals for 2025 or 2030.

“What I can say now is that it is too early to give a definitive date and target timelines,” Ms. Aglukkaq said in an interview. “It is important to remember that Canada’s targets are national which means the provinces and territories will have to play a role in that.” She has convened a federal-provincial-territorial meeting for late February to discuss new post-2020 goals, though the United Nations has asked all countries to submit their targets by the end of March.

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But she carries to Lima the perception of a government that is a laggard – one that is more interested in promoting exports of a high-carbon source of crude oil than in pursuing a national plan to reduce emissions. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this week challenged Canada to show leadership on climate change in its role as a G7 nation. In an interview with the CBC, he urged Ottawa “to become ambitious and visionary for the global future of people and the planet.” NDP MP Peter Julian said Ottawa should be in a position to put forward ambitious post-2020 targets. “It shows shows the lack of seriousness of the Canadian government,” he said. “She is basically going to Lima empty-handed.”

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-sticks-to-its-line-on-the-oil-sands-at-un-climate-summit/article21979592/

[Odin2005]

1. Canada sold it's soul to the Devil.