On June 3, 2012, Québec introduced its 2012-2020 Climate Change Action Plan and the accompanying Government Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation. Under the new action plan and strategy, nearly $2.7 billion will be invested towards the government’s climate change goals. Revenues to implement the plan, which is intended to be self-funded, are expected to come from the carbon market as well as charges on fossil fuels and combustibles which have been extended until 2014.
As the transport industry is estimated to account for 43% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Québec, two-thirds of revenues from the action plan will fund transportation measures such as public and alternative transit, as well as inter-modality and energy efficiency in freight transport. The plan also allocates $200 million to support efforts by businesses to reduce GHG emissions through initiatives such as investing in projects related to energy efficiency, process optimization and the installation of environmentally friendly equipment. In addition, $40 million will be dedicated to support the development and marketing of new technologies.
These initiatives constitute the first phase of the 2013-2020 action plan. The second phase of the plan will be launched at the mid-point of the plan and will take into consideration the revenue generated by the carbon market and the new policy directions adopted with respect to sustainable mobility, land use planning and energy. The action plan will also evolve based on new developments in climate science, technologies and Québec’s progress in the attainment of its objectives.