Suzuki Foundation, Pembina Institute Climate Change Report Generates Controversy

November 2, 2009 7:12 p.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - The climate change report on Canada's greenhouse gas targets and policies made jointly by the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation has generated controversy after Environment Minister Jim Prentice called it irresponsible. At the same time, western Canadian provinces labeled the report divisive.

The study made an in-depth probe of federal and provincial government policies in order for Canada to meet a 2-degree Celsius target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to 25 percent below 1990 level. It said strong policies are needed to meet these targets.

The study recommended a $50 carbon price per ton in 2010, which should go up to $200 per ton by 2020. If Ottawa will adopt that recommendation Canada's gross domestic product is forecast to grow 23 percent from 2010 to 2020 or an average annual growth rate of 2.1 percent and meet the 2-degree emission cut.

However, if the federal government will not impose a carbon tax, GDP is projected to grow 27 percent between 2010 and 2020 or 2.4 percent yearly average. But in the second scenario, greenhouse gas emissions would go up in 2020 to 47 percent over 1990 level.

The study also recommended six vital technological approaches to make significant reductions in Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, namely: C02 capture and storage from the oil and gas industry and power plants, cut of fugitive emissions from oil and gas and landfills, higher energy efficiency throughout the country, higher production of renewable forms of energy and replace of fossil fuels by cleaner electricity.

Prentice said western Canadian provinces could not absorb the negative effect of proposals by the Suzuki Foundation and Pembina Institute. He added the assumptions of the report are way off because the long-term economic conditions the report forecast could be avoided by coordinating with the U.S. on a continental climate change plan.