Western Climate Initiative (WCI)

Manitoba 2010 Climate Report - Shows Rising Emissions

The report shows Manitoba's carbon equivalent (C02e) GHG emissions have hovered around 20 mega tonnes (mt) since 2000. Emissions were lowest in 2001 at 19.7 C02e mt and highest in 2008 at 21.6 C02e mt. Overall emissions have declined 2% from 20.7 C02e mt in 2000 to 20.3 C02e mt in 2010. Much of this decline is due to the global economic recession and several plant closures in Manitoba. Emissions were 20.2 C02e mt in 2009, but began to creep back up in 2010.

The Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act had established an emissions reduction target of 6% below 1990 levels by 2012. But acting Conservation Minister Dave Chomiak admitted in December 2011 that Manitoba was unlikely to achieve this target. Manitoba's 2010 emissions are more than 12% above 1990 levels.

Although the act was first passed in June 2008, several important provisions of the Climate Change and Emission Reduction Act will not come into force until October 2012.

A December 2010 report by Manitoba's Auditor general heavily criticized the Manitoba government for failing to meet or accurately report on the status of its climate change initiatives, carbon inventory, or emissions reductions. The Auditor General specifically said that Manitoba's government needs to move to actual emissions data, and away from estimates and projections.

Annual per capita emissions for Manitoba are 16.6 C02e tonnes (t), which is below the per Capita Canadian average of 20.5 C02e t, but higher than Quebec (10.4 C02e t), Ontario (12.6 C02e t), P.E.I (13.4 C02e t), and B.C (14.3 C02e t) according to the latest 2009 National GHG Inventory Report.

Recession Lowers Manitoba GHG Emissions

Nearly half the emissions reduction are due to three Manitoba large emitters:

1. Hudson Bay smelter in Flin Flon, Manitoba was shut down, reducing emissions by 185,190 tonnes;
2. The Brandon, Manitoba Hydro Electrical Generating Station ceased using coal, reducing emissions by 299,742 tonnes;
3. TransCanada Pipeline near Rapid City, Manitoba reduced emissions by 159,162 tonnes.
4. Tembec mill, powered by coal and natural gas, also shut down in 2009.

In 2008, the Manitoba government legislated its Kyoto goal - a 6% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels must be met by December 31, 2012. Manitoba's 2009 emissions are still nearly 10% above 1990 levels.

Manitoba Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie admitted it will be a challenge for Manitoba to meet its Kyoto target, stating: "We won't get there incrementally. We're likely going to need to make some significant changes. We're going to need some big ideas."

GHG emissions data for Manitoba for other high emission sectors is still based on estimates and projections.

Manitoba Will Not Meet Kyoto Target Says Auditor General

The audit shows Manitoba needs to update its current climate change plan, Beyond Kyoto, Manitoba's Green Future, Next Steps: 2008, as Manitoba will not meet it's Kyoto emission reduction targets of a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990 as required under the Kyoto Protocol. Even accepting Manitoba's GHG emission reduction projections for 2012 shows Manitoba emission will be 12% higher than in 1990. Manitoba's 2008 emissions were 17% above 1990 levels according to Environment Canada's National Inventory Report released April 2010.

This is not the first time Manitoba's has failed to meet it's own GHG emission targets. In its 2002 Climate Change report, Kyoto and Beyond: Meeting and Exceeding Our Kyoto Targets, the government optimistically indicated, "we believe we can achieve reductions of up to 18 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010, and reductions of up to 23 per cent by 2012." The 2002 plan was removed from government websites, and the target downgraded to 6% below 1990 levels when the 2008 climate plan was released.

Bellringer highlighted Manitoba's lack of emission targets beyond 2012, and lack of a government-wide tracking system for actual emission reductions, and climate change spending and related economic and social outcomes. (such as the number of jobs created, the non-Provincial funding leveraged, and the number of low-income housing units retro-fitted).

In June 2008 Manitoba enacted the Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act, which enshrined Manitoba's 6% emission reduction by 1990 target into law. The act does not provide any punishment provisions for failure to meet the target, but former Premier Gary Doer suggested: "If we don't achieve it, the ultimate penalty in 2011 will be defeating the government."

Responses to Manitoba Cap and Trade Review

Cap-and-trade is a market-based way to cut greenhouse gases that uses economic incentives so that industrial polluters meet emissions reduction targets. Polluters get emission allowances equal to a government cap. If a plant's pollution exceeds the target or cap, it must purchase emission allowances from facilities that have reduced more than their share or else pay fines.

The Pembina Institute suggested: Manitoba move quickly to implement a cap-and-trade system by January 2012, set a cap that aligns with short- and medium-term emissions reduction targets, include all source of measurable emissions, and distribute allowances by auction, and eliminate or reduce any reliance on offsets.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Manitoba Chapter submitted comments that echo Pembina Institutes concerns, warning about the short-comings of relying on offsets, and arguing that revenue from a carbon pricing scheme should be used to fund GHG reductions, such as investing in carbon storage through ecosystem protection.

The Manitoba Government set up a webpage to collect comments on the proposed Cap and Trade system; however the comments are not being made publicly available on the Government webpage. There is also no public registry for the review.

Cap and Trade "Consultation" for Manitobans

Climate Action Network Canada board member Gaile Whelan-Enns noted the consultation were inadequate, "it appears there's no public meetings, no presentations, nor is there a public registry."

Cap-and-trade analyst Matt Horne of the Pembina Institute agreed that thorough consultation on the topic is vital, "there's a bunch of nuts and bolt issues that really do matter. The devil is in the details."

Cap-and-trade is a market-based approach to cutting greenhouse gases that uses economic incentives to force industrial polluters to meet an overall emissions reduction target. Polluters get emission allowances equal to government pollution cap. If a plant's pollution exceeds the target or cap, it must purchase emission allowances from facilities that have reduced more than their share or pay fines.

Manitoba's system would integrate with the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), a regional cap-and-trade program. Current WCI members include B.C., Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, California and six other western U.S. states. No government press release has been issued.

Brandon to Reduce Landfill Greenhouse Gases

Up to $1.275 million will flow to Brandon to design and construct a facility to capture methane gas generated at the landfill. The Brandon project will eliminate an estimated 57,000 tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions each year, the equivalent of taking 11,000 cars off the road.

"The City of Brandon is pleased to work with the Province of Manitoba on this extremely important environmental initiative," said Dave Burgess, Mayor of Brandon.

"This agreement will lead to elimination of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas, improving the environment in Brandon and contributing to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas in this province," stated Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie.

Manitoba's landfill gas capture program will enable three of the province's largest landfills to make significant reductions to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions they release. In total, this will amount to 195,000 tonnes of reductions per year, or almost one per cent of the total Manitoba emissions.

Manitoba Launches Green Registry

1. The Basics
• information about climate change -explanations of greenhouse gases (GHG), carbon footprint, emissions trading
• Manitoba's carbon footprint, climate change action plan, policy and regulation of GHGs (links to international, national, regional and local-level policy initiatives)
2. Residents
• calculating GHG footprint (links to calculators and programs)
• reducing personal emissions
• ability to register and track personal emissions (won't be activated until 2009)
• one-stop shop about provincial and federal incentives & rebates
3. Groups and Businesses
• creation of a GHG inventory
• measurement of GHG (links to standards and calculators)
• incentive programs (see (2) above) and guidance for reducing GHG emissions
• sourcing and buying offsets
• policy and regulatory links
4. Project Toolbox (for GHG emissions reduction projects)
• understanding carbon markets, (GHG emissions reduction) projects and offsets
• incentive programs (see (2) above) and
• GHG measurement standards (about CAN/CSA ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gases standard)
• GHG quantification protocols (searchable database)
• quantification, validation and verification of emissions reductions projects and reports - links
• existing registries for GHG emissions reduction projects (section for Manitoba's future registry, which will "follow structure of ISO 14064 standard and be consistent with national and international GHG emissions reduction registry platforms" - coming soon)

Manitoba's commitment to the Kyoto target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 6% below 1990 levels by 2012 is also clearly indicated.

The website provides aggregate 1990 GHG emissions baseline for Manitoba of 18Mt and acknowledges that by 2005 the province's GHG emissions had risen by 12.8% to 20.3Mt.

The Green Registry does not provide new or more detailed information about Manitoba's GHG on a sectoral basis (GHG emissions breakdown for the transportation, agriculture, energy, residential, heavy industry sectors or emissions from major development projects or public works projects). The Green Registry website does not include a carbon or GHG inventory for the province.

It appears Manitoba's actual 'Green Registry' (still in development) will be used to register, track and showcase verified GHG emissions reductions and removals (VERRs). It appear the Green Registry will not be used as a tool for reporting of GHG emissions generated by Manitobans, Manitoba companies and the Manitoba government. No baseline data, thresholds, or GHG/carbon inventories are provided. Manitoba Wildlands will be watching to see how this registry and future regulation will fulfill the climate change protocols our government has signed onto with US partners.

Manitoba's Rank Slips - Analysis of Climate Plans

This year, Manitoba's ranking slipped; its plan is now rated as 'good', along with Ontario's plan, while Quebec's plan is rated as 'very good' and British Columbia tops the list with a rating of 'best'. Manitoba released a new climate change plan in April 2008.

The David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) report, Provincial Power Play: Breaking Away from Federal Inaction on Climate Change, looks at provincial and territorial action on climate change, compares their greenhouse gas emissions, assesses their climate change plans and evaluates their records. Manitoba Wildlands contributed information and analysis for evaluation of Manitoba's climate change plan.

The report was released July 16, 2008 at the Council of the Federation meeting in Quebec City, where provincial and territorial premiers met to discuss what they can do on climate change.

• legislated greenhouse gas emissions reduction target - in line with Canada's Kyoto commitment - of 6% below 1990 levels by 2012
• commitment to a cap-and-trade system through its membership in the Western Climate Initiative
• demonstration of national leadership in installation of ground-source heat pumps, a renewable technology that delivers heating and cooling using the earth's energy
• strong proposed measures on energy efficiency, including energy-saving targets for Manitoba Hydro, greater efficiency standards for furnaces and boilers, and a new energy code for new commercial buildings (but not residential ones).

The report, however, also found that Manitoba could still strengthen and improve its climate change plan and initiatives. The province does not yet have a policy or program in place to protect natural carbon stores in forests and peatlands, is lacking in meaningful policies to address emissions from the transportation sector, and needs to have a formal plan to adapt to climate change impacts. The Manitoba government has ignored its responsibility to report to Manitobans on specific results and actions since the 2002 Climate Change Plan, Kyoto and Beyond.

Federal Climate Plan Weak - Provinces and Territories Lead
The DSF evaluation of provincial and territorial climate change plans highlights the fact that most provinces have better climate change plans than Canada's federal government, stronger GHG emissions reduction targets, and stronger policies to achieve them.

The federal approach to making polluters pay for carbon emissions will take four years to develop and will be a weak and already discredited intensity-based system. So far, only governments that clearly oppose action on climate change have used intensity targets (GHG emission reductions per unit of economic activity, like a barrel of oil produced), and their emissions have continued to rise.

As a result, the Suzuki Foundation is calling on the federal government to follow the lead of the provinces and set strong, national standards across Canada (in order to create a level and fair playing field). This is especially important in order to rein in greenhouse gas increases in Alberta.

The report warns it will be impossible for Canada to meet international standards if Alberta doesn't do something substantive on global warming. "Nothing calls out for concerted federal government action on climate change more than Alberta's callous indifference to its impacts on the planet," says the report.

Passage of Bill 15 - Manitoba Climate Change Legislation

Certain sections of the Act have not yet been enacted and will come into force later by proclamation. As of August 2010 sections 7, 8, 11, 12, & 21 had still not been proclaimed. These sections provided for: green building requirements for government owned or funded buildings (s. 7 & 8), fuel efficiency standards and alternative fuel requirements for government vehicles (s. 11 & 12), and, subject to certain exemptions, an end to the importation of motor vehicles made in 1995 or before (s. 21).

More than two years after passage, only two regulations have been drafted under the Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act.

Regualtion 180/2009 defines "prescribed landfills" as being those containing more than 750,000 tonnes of waste. In combination with s. 15 of the Act, this regulation requires the province's three largest landfills to capture or flare excess methane.

Regualtion 186/2009 sets out procedures for notification, and defines when Manitoba Hydro may burn coal for the purposes of emergency operations.

The legislative process for Bill 15 included an opportunity for the public to speak and/or submit comments as part of a session of the all party Legislative Review Committee of the Manitoba legislature. Gaile Whelan Enns, Director of Manitoba Wildlands, appeared before the committee to support the Bill, and recommend steps to strengthen the Bill.

Manitoba Introduces Climate Change Legislation

• reduce emissions from transportation sector by up to one MT;
• reduce emissions from large emitters by 650,000 tonnes;
• reduce emissions through clean energy expansion by 670,000 tonnes;
• reduce emissions through agriculture, forestry and community programs by 680,000 tonnes; and
• reduce emissions through future climate action investments by 250,000-plus tonnes.

Audit - Manitoba Climate Change

Manitoba Signs Midwest Climate Accord/
Energy and Climate Platform

• Establish greenhouse gas reduction targets and timeframes consistent with MGA member states' targets;
• Develop a market-based and multi-sector cap-and-trade mechanism to help achieve reduction targets;
• Establish a system to enable tracking, management, and crediting for entities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Develop and implement additional steps to achieve reduction targets.

• encourage development of hydro power, wind, biofuels, geothermal and other renewable energy sources
• outline specific efforts to increase energy efficiency
• set goals for development of next-generation coal-fired power plants and underground carbon dumps for carbon dioxide emissions

• All new coal-fired power plants built after 2020 required to capture carbon dioxide, ship to an underground storage site.
• By 2030 30% of region's electricity comes from renewable energy sources (wind turbines, landfill gas).
• One-third of region's gas stations selling the E85 blend of ethanol by 2025.

Manitoba and BC Sign Climate Change MOU

• affirmation of the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels and beyond
• commitment to adopt a vehicle emission standard to match California by 2010 or sooner
• encouragement for alternative-fuel vehicles including plug-in hybrid and hydrogen technologies
• legislating capture of methane gas from landfills within the next 12 months
• broadening renewable energy portfolios to include additional hydro, wind power, geothermal, solar and biomass power
• environmentally friendly building codes for new construction that achieve highest level of energy efficiency in Canada
• environmental protection at ports to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and protect ocean resources around port complexes

Manitoba Signs Carbon Action Partnership Declaration

Leaders Meet to Discuss Climate Change and Energy

Manitoba to Have GHG Emissions Reporting System

Manitoba - California Climate Change MOU

• exploring the opportunity for Manitoba to participate in carbon-credit trading via the Clean Air Resources Board and the California Climate Action Registry -including for sustainable on-farm practices and off set credit trading protocols for livestock management;
• promoting further trade partnerships in the areas of low- and no-emission vehicle technology, the production of hybrid and hydrogen buses, and the plug-in hybrid vehicle;
• continuing to exchange best practices in renewable energy technology (solar power in California and geothermal in Manitoba), residential and commercial building efficiency, waste reduction, and new transportation and agricultural initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases.

New Commercial Building Energy Code

View Government of Manitoba Green Building Policy (PDF)
View Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Design Standards (PDF)

• adopting cost-effective, minimum energy-efficiency requirements for new commercial construction (via a regulation to adopt Canada's Model National Energy Code for Buildings)
• providing training and technical resources needed to build industry capacity and ensure effective implementation of the energy code

Analysis of Climate Change Plans

Clearing the Air on Climate Change

Climate Leaders Summit

Climate Group Award