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.

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.

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."