Feds Ponder Easing Kyoto Targets for Big Polluters--Toronto Star

[Gloria]

From the new World Media Watch up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical

Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


5//The Toronto Star, Canada Jan. 16, 2005. 05:30 PM

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1105876865317&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes



FEDS PONDER EASING KYOTO TARGETS FOR BIG POLLUTERS

From Canadian Press


OTTAWA — The federal cabinet is considering a proposal that would dramatically ease requirements for large industrial polluters to cut greenhouse gas emissions under Canada's climate change plan, The Canadian Press has learned.



The proposal comes as Ottawa struggles to chart a course toward the target set by the Kyoto accord — which calls for a six per cent cut in emissions from 1990 levels by 2010 — before the treaty legally comes into force on Feb. 16.



A Department of Natural Resources submission, marked "secret," would reduce the emission cuts required of so-called large final emitters to a fraction of what they were under a plan released in 2002.



Large emitters such as oil and gas producers, electricity stations, mines and manufacturers account for roughly half the country's emissions, far more than those produced by individuals through lifestyle choices.



Some say acceptance of the Natural Resources proposal would amount to an admission of failure, since it would be very difficult to find offsetting measures capable of filling the gap.



"I would say, if the government continues with this, it's clear they're contemplating deliberately failing to meet the Kyoto target," said Dale Marshall of the David Suzuki Foundation when the document was shown to him.

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[Maple]

1. Well, pondering is pondering

You have to discuss things before you come up with a plan. I imagine every variation possible is being considered, and is 'on the table'

[asjr]

2. I had no idea the Canadians would join the U.S. in

Death by Pollution.

[Minstrel Boy]

3. Thanks for posting that.

Martin made a lot of election promises regarding Kyoto, to undercut the NDP and shore up the left-Liberal vote. Reneging will bite him in the ass next election.

From The Globe and Mail a couple of days ago:


Kyoto has become a serious political matter for Prime Minister Paul Martin's government. When fighting for much-needed left-leaning votes in the June, 2004, election campaign, Mr. Martin promised repeatedly to "honour Kyoto" if elected.

Senior officials fear the Liberals risk a backlash from voters, especially after Mr. Martin's campaign promise to let Newfoundland keep its offshore revenue has gone unfulfilled amid bickering with St. John's.

"He tried to out-NDP the NDP on Kyoto," one senior official said of Mr. Martin. "Now the concern is . . . if he doesn't measure up, then he's going to be labelled as having broken his promise on Kyoto as well."

All this has triggered a fierce government battle over how hard Ottawa should push business to cut emissions. Some officials, many in the Environment Department, urge a tougher approach that includes strict mandatory reductions for large greenhouse-gas emitters and automobiles.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050114/KYOTO14/TPEnvironment/

[AndyTiedye]

4. At Least Canada HAS Kyoto Targets

[Bono71]

8. No kidding...and at least they had a seat at the f'n table to

negotiate the treaty.

[Spazito]

5. Martin better not renege on this....

the majority of Canadians support Kyoto and he knows it. This had better just be a floater to throw the faux Conservatives.

[rfkrfk]

6. a hundred countries are meeting their Kyoto obligations, why not Canada?

Many, many, many, countries are compliant with
their obligations under the Kyoto Treaty.
.
WTF is wrong with Canada?

[Spazito]

7. Canada has not yet failed on it's commitment to Kyoto...

and it is up to Canadians to hold the government's feet to the fire to ensure we do NOT fail.