reducing GHG emissions – GHG Accounting

Manitoba Releases Updated Climate Change Strategy and Confirms Implementation of Cap & Trade

On December 3, 2015, Manitoba released its Climate Change and Green Economy Action Plan (the Plan), which updates the province’s 2008 Climate Action Plan, Beyond Kyoto. The Plan sets out Manitoba’s medium and long-term GHG reduction targets:

By 2030, Manitoba will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by one-third over 2005 levels.
By 2050, Manitoba will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by one-half over 2005 levels.
By 2080, Manitoba will be carbon neutral.

The Plan also outlines projects that will be undertaken through Manitoba’s new five-year $5 million Climate Change Action Fund. Funds will be invested across sectors to continue driving innovation in the province’s transportation and agriculture sectors, assess local climate risks and develop solutions, expand climate change work on the ground by partnering with communities, and expand innovative energy projects in First Nation communities. Manitoba will also look at how carbon pricing can be used as a tool to drive innovation and boost economic growth while reducing GHG emissions. Manitoba, a member of the Western Climate Initiative, reiterated its commitment to implement a cap and trade program for 20 large emitters in the province and will look at other innovative measures, such as a made-in-Manitoba Carbon Stewardship model for sectors not covered by cap and trade. To that end, Manitoba will carry out public consultations on carbon pricing to explore a range of opportunities. Under the Plan, the Manitoba government will also reduce emissions from government operations through increased energy efficiency, a greener vehicle fleet and equipment, greener office spaces, and waste reduction. Manitoba will provide a complete inventory of its own GHG emissions and develop a comprehensive policy framework to enable it to become a carbon neutral government. The Plan also addresses key sectors such as buildings, transportation and agriculture. Manitoba has demonstrated its climate leadership with the development of new zero-emission battery electric transit buses and transformative research into new crops and natural bio-products.

Saskatchewan to Move Forward with Proposed GHG Program

Saskatchewan is planning to move forward with its proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) management program, with draft offset program methodologies expected to be released in September 2010.

Saskatchewan is planning to move forward with its proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) management program, with draft offset program methodologies expected to be released in September 2010. These draft guidance documents will supplement the previously released Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Regulations which are anticipated to be approved in fall 2010.

Saskatchewan has set a target of reducing GHG emissions to 20% below 2006 levels by 2020. The proposed threshold for regulated emitters is 50,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per year, and regulated emitters will be required to reduce emissions by 2% per year from 2010 to 2019 to meet the 20% reduction goal. In order to meet compliance obligations, regulated emitters will be able to purchase offset credits created from activities that have reduced and sequestered GHG in Saskatchewan and that occurred after January 1, 2006. In addition, regulated emitters will be able to contribute “carbon compliance payments” to the Saskatchewan Technology Fund Corporation, the proceeds of which will be used to invest in GHG reduction initiatives and research.

The proposed Saskatchewan GHG management program is similar to the one currently operating in Alberta, where the emissions threshold for regulation is also 50,000 tonnes of CO2e. Alberta and Saskatchewan are considering linking their GHG programs in order to increase the liquidity of the markets.