Quebec Sets Emissions Target, While Canadian National Government Languishes
Since Canada's national government has refused to set up a plan to effectively cut its carbon emissions, some of the country's provinces are taking measures into their own hands.
Today, the province of Quebec announced that by 2020 it plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% below its 1990 levels. Even though it is a ten year plan, Quebec will get moving immediately as it has set a goal to have its emissions cut 6% below 1990 levels by 2012. In 2007, British Columbia set a plan to cut its emissions 10% below its 1990 levels.
Quebec's goal matches the emissions target set by the European Union (EU). The EU's target is largely considered the baseline mark that must be reached in order to prevent drastic shifts in the global climate. Currently, Canada has pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 3% below its 1990 levels.
In a statement issued today, Quebec Premier Jean Charest said, "It is a very ambitious target for the government, given that 48 percent of Quebec's total energy currently comes from renewable energy sources. [Nevertheless] Quebec has the resources, the know-how, the entrepreneurs and the infrastructures to become a symbol in the new green economy."
Read the full story at the Tornto Star: Quebec takes tougher stand on emissions
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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