All Over the Map

Yukon

Strengths

• Climate action plan commitment to 20 per cent reduction in GHG emissions from government operations by 2015.
• Commitment to carbon-neutral internal operations by 2020.
• Commitment to 20 per cent increase in both energy efficiency and renewable energy by 2020.
• GreenHome energy efficiency standards in government-funded residential construction.
• Committed to meet or exceed LEED certified energy-efficiency standard in government-funded commercial and institutional construction and renovation.
• Working with the Northern Climate ExChange at Yukon College to develop adaptation strategies for Yukon .
• Climate change included in annual State of the Environment report.
• Proposed a climate change secretariat to co-ordinate action and report to the public on progress.

Weaknesses

• No territory-wide targets for reducing GHG emissions.
• Aggressively promoting oil and gas development, as well as mining activity.
• Energy plan relies too heavily on switching off-grid communities from diesel to oil and natural gas.
• Carbon capture and storage being discussed as an offsetting measure.

Saskatchewan

Strengths

• Announced plans to more than double the province's wind capacity.
• Renewed funding for residential energy-efficiency improvements.

Weaknesses

• Highest per capita GHG emissions in Canada.
• GHG reduction targets for 2020 reduced from 32 per cent below 2004 levels to 20 per cent below 2006 levels.
• Only 29 per cent of emissions covered by proposed regulations.
• Province remains committed to maximizing oil sands exploitation.
• SaskPower target to conserve 300 MW by 2017 reduced to 100 MW.
• Eliminated both Climate Change Secretariat and Office of Energy Conservation.
• Substantial cuts to renewable energy programs.
• No plan to end overreliance on coal-fired power plants.

Quebec

Strengths

• Strongest North American target for reducing GHG emissions (20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020).
• Enacted regulations in January 2012 with state of California to cap and reduce industrial emissions, however, the rules will need to be strengthened over time to support the province's binding emission targets.
• Brought in California-level vehicle fuel-efficiency regulations in January 2010.
• Set goal for 25 per cent of all new vehicles to be electric by 2020.
• Continues to dedicate considerable resources to public transportation.
• Legislated measures to tackle methane emissions from waste disposal.
• Set goal to divert all organic waste from landfills by 2020.
• Province required to produce annual progress reports on implementation of climate change plan.

Weaknesses

• Current spending on transportation heavily favours highway expansion over public transit transport.
• Hydro-Québec given licence to refurbish Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant.
• Continues to favour construction of large hydroelectric dams on previously pristine rivers.
• Considering restarting the Bécancour gas power plant in winter.

Prince Edward Island

Strengths

• Already exceeded target of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels.
• Climate change strategy sets goal of reducing emissions to 75-85 per cent below 2001 levels by 2050.
• Energy strategy commits to doubling renewable energy portfolio standard from 15 per cent to 30 per cent by 2013.
• Climate strategy reinforces commitment to energy efficiency and recognizes need for new energy-efficient building standards.
• Measures taken to address GHG emissions from agriculture.
• Expanded Charlottetown public transit system and increased ridership.
• Committed to incorporating climate change outcomes into environmental impact assessment process.
• Implemented range of research projects in climate change adaptation through the Atlantic Regional Adaptation Collaborative Program.

Weaknesses

• Reneged on 2008 commitment to adopt "California-like" vehicle emissions standards, opting for lower Canada/U.S. federal fuel-efficiency standards.
• Few programs to tackle emissions from agriculture and many planned likely to be voluntary.
• Climate strategy places an "aggressive" emphasis on biofuels despite acknowledging they offer very little benefit for the climate.
• Electricity demand expected to increase by 20 to 30 per cent over next 10 years, contributing increasing GHG emissions from growing residential electricity consumption.
• Little progress made on 2008 commitment to increase public education around climate change.
• Has not implemented promised annual progress reports on GHG reduction efforts.

Ontario

Strengths

• One of the more ambitious targets for reducing emissions by the year 2020 — 15 per cent reductions compared to 1990.
• Far-reaching Green Energy and Green Economy Act is spurring development of clean energy, innovation, and jobs.
• Government-legislated shutdown of all coal-fired power plants by 2014.
• Introduced Far North Act to permanently protect about half of the province's north.
• Established expert panel on climate change adaptation.
• Green Belt Act has protected undeveloped land surrounding Toronto, curtailing some urban sprawl.
• In January 2012, all new homes must meet or surpass the EnerGuide 80.

Weaknesses

• Current climate change action plan is very short on details.
• Lacks comprehensive carbon pricing policy but could move quickly to implement a cap-and-trade system as enabling legislation is in place.
• Still failing to address emissions from transportation.
• Blocked 2007 consensus between provincial and territorial premiers on adopting California fuel-efficiency standards for all new vehicles.
• Despite projected cost and public opposition, government remains committed to investing in nuclear power.

Nunavut

Strengths

• Committed to developing alternative energy resource study to serve as basis of renewable energy plan.
• Homeowners can receive rebates of 50 per cent of cost of home repairs and appliance purchases to improve energy efficiency.

Weaknesses

• No targets or measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• No mention of reducing environmental impact of transportation.
• Plans to develop uranium and oil and gas resources.

Northwest Territories

Strengths

• Carbon tax being considered for updated 2011-2015 climate change strategy.
• Committed to spending $15 million per year in support of alternative energy projects.
• Two-year pilot project is testing "net-billing" for small-scale alternative energy projects.
• Housing Corporation committed to ensuring all units meet the EnerGuide 80 standard.
• Committed to bringing hydropower from the Taltson Dam to the diamond mines north of Yellowknife.

Weaknesses

• Accepts GHG emissions will double or triple in next few years.
• Increased electricity subsidies for diesel-reliant communities.
• Current climate plan only addresses three per cent of GHG emissions (those from government).
• No policy or targets for industrial emissions.
• Heavy reliance on information programs and subsidies.
• Continues to promote the Mackenzie Gas Project.
• Little progress on a territory-wide building code for energy efficiency.

Nova Scotia

Strengths

• Remains committed to reduce overall GHG emissions to 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.
• Hard cap legislated on emissions from Nova Scotia Power Inc, mandating emissions decrease to 25 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020.
• Renewable electricity plan includes a commitment for 25 per cent of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2015.
• Established independent Efficiency Nova Scotia to help citizens reduce GHG pollution.
• Provincial building code requires all new residential dwellings to meet the EnerGuide 80 rating.
• Reduced GHG emissions from waste by nearly 50 per cent by diverting organic waste from landfills.
• Halifax "solar city" program will install solar water heating in 500+ homes every year.
• Nova Scotia municipalities required to produce climate action plans by 2014.

Weaknesses

• Failed to implement 2007 commitment to adopt California vehicle emission standards by 2010.
• Continued heavy reliance on coal- and oil-fired power plants.
• Aggressive move toward exploration and production of onshore natural gas, including shale gas and coalbed methane.
• Promotion of large-scale forest biomass as a "carbon neutral" source of renewable electricity.
• Disproportionate amount of money spent on highway and road construction, compared to improving and promoting public transport.

Newfoundland

Strengths

• Two new wind farms could reduce sulphur and CO2 emissions by around 14 per cent.
• Construction completed on Ramea wind/hydrogen energy project.
• Wind and small hydro projects being developed to reduce diesel use in isolated communities.
• Surpassed target for hybrid vehicles in government fleet.
• Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading established.
• Homeowner energy audits and retrofit grants available.
• Committed to 25 per cent increase in energy efficiency in new and renovated government buildings.

Weaknesses

• No targets to reduce GHG emissions from heavy industry.
• Flaring guidelines to address increased emissions from the oil and gas sector are voluntary.
• Inadequate assessment of capacity of Lower Churchill megaproject to reduce GHG emissions.
• Focus on megaprojects drawing resources away from other renewable energy generation.
• Proposed Argentia wind farm blocked by lack of provincial commitment to buy its power.
• Regulation of oil and gas industry ignores many environmental and ecosystem impacts.
• No sign of government energy-efficiency standards being extended to the private sector.

New Brunswick

Strengths

• GHG emissions have been on a downward trend since 2001 and the province may be on track to meet its goal of reducing emissions back to 1990 levels by 2012.
• Closed the 50 MW Grand Lake coal plant in March 2010.
• 249 MW of wind power added to the grid.
• Many clean-energy projects supported through Climate Action Fund.
• Increased funding for Efficiency New Brunswick.
• Green Building Policy has been announced.
• $32 million allocated to electricity smart grid project.

Weaknesses

• New Brunswick keen to develop natural gas industry.
• Targets for electricity from renewable sources (10 per cent by 2016) not ambitious.
• Government still lacks strategy to harness "green heat."
• Virtually no provincial money allocated to public transportation.
• Commitment by previous government to retire the oil-fired Dalhousie power plant has been overturned.

Manitoba

Strengths

• Effectively shut down the province's only coal-fired power plant by banning non-emergency use of coal.
• Adopted standards for large appliances, Power Smart programs and a strong green building strategy.
• Substantially increased minimum energy efficiency of furnaces and hot water heaters sold in Manitoba.
• Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit expanded to include solar, as well as geothermal.
• Acting on carbon stores with announcement of two new protected areas and commitment made to develop a new boreal peatlands stewardship strategy.
• Energy retrofit programs initiated for First Nations communities and housing developments in Winnipeg.

Weaknesses

• In 2008, the Manitoba government lowered its GHG emission reduction target from 18 per cent below 1990 by 2010 to six per cent below 1990 by 2012. According to Manitoba's auditor general, the current climate action plan is unlikely to meet even this reduced target.
• The only carbon tax in Manitoba is on coal, which is not commonly used in the province.
• Manitoba reneged on its commitment to adopt California vehicle emission standards, ignoring the recommendation of its own Vehicle Standards Advisory Board.
• Failure to meaningfully tackle emissions from road transportation has resulted in substantial increases in car commuting and a decrease in the use of public transit.
• Reneged on promises to offset increased GHG emissions from urban sprawl.
• No public data exists as to energy efficiency resources, or to quantify actual energy use or emissions reductions.

Alberta

Strengths

• Adopted green building policy for new government-owned facilities.
• 90 per cent of electricity for Alberta government buildings comes from green power sources.
• Met its goal to have 12.5 per cent of its total electricity by 2008 generated from renewable and alternative sources.
• Establishing a Climate Change Action Centre to help municipalities increase energy efficiency.
• $2 billion committed for GreenTRIP public transit initiative.
• A climate change adaptation strategy has been promised.

Weaknesses

• Continues to be the largest GHG emitter in Canada. Emissions have increased more than any other province since 1990.
• Oil sands industry responsible for one third of Canada's GHG emission increases since 1990.
• Climate strategy allows Alberta's GHG emissions to keep growing until 2020 and a recent analysis of the plan concludes the province will likely only achieve one third of its emission reduction goal for 2020.
• Strategy assumes 70 per cent of atmospheric GHG emission reductions after 2020 will be achieved through unproven CCS technology while the province fails to support the policies to spur required innovation and clean technology deployment.
• Alberta's $15/tonne partial carbon price applies to only 12 per cent of emissions from large industrial polluters. Two-for-one offset credits to companies participating in CCS projects fail to encourage companies to reduce their pollution.
• No plan to reduce coal-fired power, which is responsible for approximately 82 per cent of Alberta's electricity generation.

British Columbia

Strengths

• Full climate change action plan with target to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020.
• Carbon tax, now $25/tonne, will go up by $5/tonne in 2012, and applies to three quarters of B.C.'s emissions.
• 2008 vehicle fuel-efficiency act matched California standards.
• Increased targets on energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy.
• Municipalities required to set targets and develop plans to reduce GHG emissions.

Weaknesses

• Subsidies to oil and gas sector and plans to develop shale gas and a potential gas-powered Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant terminal make carbon emission reductions more difficult.
• Lacks strong safeguards to ensure renewable energy is low-impact and supported by local communities.
• Ambitious public transit plan in question because of lack of financial support from the province.
• Has yet to implement measures recommended by Climate Action Team to reach legislated GHG targets.

Canada

Emissions
692 Mt

Emissions per capita
20.3 tonnes

Emissions growth since 1990
17.5%

Highest Emitting Sector
Transportation

Sector with Largest Emission Increase (1990-2010)
Mining and Fossil Fuel Industries