Toxics Watch Society of Alberta

Canada has an obligation, under international law, to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases to 6% below the 1990 level during 2008-12. This target, specified in the Kyoto Protocol, is a reduction of approximately 270-300 megatonnes (Mt) from projected 'business-as-usual' levels. Canadian emissions have risen steadily since the Kyoto Protocol was negotiated in 1997. As a result urgent action is required to address climate change by reducing emissions in Canada.

We are pleased that the federal government has finally released its revised Kyoto implementation plan. We support the use of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) as an appropriate regulatory authority to ensure that industry makes an adequate contribution to emission reduction in the Kyoto period. However, the plan as released today is inadequate to achieve Canada's Kyoto emission reduction target within the timeframe required by the Protocol. The key gaps in the plan include:

At the March 17th meeting of the CASA Board of Directors, the decision was passed to expand the board from 20 to 22 members to enable enlargement of the Government Sector of the CASA Board. An Aboriginal Government and alternate seat was created. The Toxics Watch representative (me) was sick that day and unable to attend, but I would have supported the expansion.

Toxics Watch and a group of prominent environmental groups across the country have written to the Prime Minister emphasizing the immediate need to announce and implement a credible and effective plan to comply with the Kyoto Protocol. Read the letter here (PDF 192KB).

On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol enters into force; becoming a legally-binding treaty for Canada and the other approximately 140 signatories. To mark this significant legal, political, and environmental achievement, the Toxics Watch Society of Alberta invites you to join us at: Kyoto Protocolapalooza Celebrating the Kyoto Protocol's Entry Into Force Featuring: Nashina Shariff "Tales from the U.N. Climate Change Conferece in Buenos Aires" Toxics Watch staffer Nashina Shariff was a member of Canada's delegation to the recent COP 10 Climate Change Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nashina will talk about her experiences on the frontlines of the international climate change negotiations. As well, Nashina will discuss what Kyoto's entry into force means to Canada and Canadians, and next steps in our efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions.