(Chapter 2—Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act - Spring 2009 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Ottawa, 12 May 2009—The government’s first two climate change plans under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act are missing some of the information required under the Act, says Scott Vaughan, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in his Report tabled today in the House of Commons. The 2007 and 2008 climate change plans included targets for expected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions within the Kyoto Protocol period, 2008 to 2012.
The audit found that Environment Canada will be unable to determine actual emission reductions for each of the measures planned, as the Act requires.
“Without a system to count real emission reductions that result from its measures, the government will not be able to inform Parliament whether the measures are working,” said Mr. Vaughan.
The Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act was passed by Parliament in 2007. It requires the government to produce a plan each year showing how Canada will meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol by 2012, the end of the Kyoto Period. The Commissioner is required to assess and report on Canada’s progress in meeting those obligations. For this first report he focused on whether the 2007 and 2008 climate change plans contain the information required under the Act.
The audit found that expected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions presented in the climate change plans were overstated. For example, some emission reductions projected to occur within the 2008–2012 Kyoto Period will probably not be realized before the Kyoto Period ends.
The audit also found that the plans lack transparency. For example, they do not disclose how reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could be affected by various uncertainties, including economic fluctuations.
“Environment Canada has accepted most of our recommendations and has committed to follow through on them in the next climate change plans, to be issued in 2009 and 2010,” said Mr. Vaughan.
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The chapter “Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
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