| UN Investigates Canada's GHG Reporting | 13 May 08 |
 A UN investigation could find Canada in violation of Kyoto Protocol rules. Environmental groups say this shows the federal government doesn't take its international commitments seriously. On May 5, 2008 Canada was officially notified of the decision to investigate the alleged violation of Kyoto reporting requirements. As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), Canada must keep a national registry and annually report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. "What's really the point here is that this government doesn't think it's important to play by the international rules," says John Bennett, executive director of Climate for Change. Canada was warned last month of an investigation after missing a Jan 1, 2008 reporting deadline. Environment Canada's failure to submit the national inventory registry indicates non-compliance of emission targets. The UN Kyoto compliance committee will consider Canada's case at a hearing in late May or mid-June. The Kyoto Protocol requires its 37 signatories to cut emissions by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. Canada said the targets were unattainable and committed to cut emissions by 20 percent below 2006 levels by 2020 with no intention to trade carbon credits with other countries. The inventory provides analysis of emission trends since 1990, including by jurisdiction within Canada, and monitors six greenhouse gasses. The United Nations publishes all national inventory reports on its website. The National Inventory Report, 1990-2005: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada, April 2007 was the most recent report submitted by Canada. View May 7, 2008 Canadian Press article View May 7, 2008 Guardian article View May 7, 2008 CBC article View UNFCCC - Informal note on compliance procedure with Canada (PDF) View UNFCCC National Inventory Submissions 2008 View April 11, 2008 UN Report of the Review of the Initial Report of Canada (PDF) Sources: Canadian Press, Guardian UK, CBC, UNFCCC, Government of Canada, UN |
|
 Print version |
Top |
