Isramart : Canada Sets 17 Percent Carbon Emission Reduction Target From 2005 Levels

Isramart news:
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (AHN) - The federal government of Canada officially informed the United Nations over the weekend that it has set a 17 percent reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels in the next 10 years. It is Ottawa's commitment to the Copenhagen deal on climate change.

Canadian Environment Minister Jim Prentice pointed out that the target is similar to those set by the United States, which Ottawa had indicated it would follow during the Copenhagen conference.

Prentice admits that reaching the 17 percent reduction in greenhouse gas is challenging, but says the goal could be reached. He did not provide details on how the cuts would be achieved.

Greenpeace criticized the target, alleging that it actually increases emissions, not decreases them. Greenpeace Climate and Energy Coordinator Dave Martin said the new target is 2.5 percent higher than the 3 percent cut over 1990 levels announced by Ottawa in 2006.

Martin said the new policy seeks to protect the oil and gas industry in Alberta. He added the lack of details on how the GHG cut would be made indicates the lack of seriousness on how the Canadian government would implement the set targets.