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Manitoba is taking strong action on climate change by becoming the first jurisdiction in North America to propose legislating its Kyoto commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, Premier Gary Doer announced today.

 

“Our action today demonstrates we are standing by our 2012 Kyoto commitment with legislative tools, forward planning and significant investments,” Doer said.  “We are joining with the public, business and others in building a more green and prosperous future.”

 

The new law would require Manitoba to meet its Kyoto commitment by 2012 and set long-term goals for further greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions by 2020 and 2025. In order to meet its Kyoto commitments, Manitoba must reduce its annual emissions to 17 megatonnes (MT) from approximately 20 MT. To get there, the first goal is to reduce GHGs below 2000 levels by 2010.

 

The proposed legislation is supported by more than $145 million in investments over four years and specific actions that will be released with the community in the coming weeks. These actions include:

·         A new coal-reduction strategy including a tax on coal emissions, capital support for coal-reliant industries to convert to cleaner energy and support for developing biomass, a coal alternative.

·         Public transportation including enshrining in law a 50/50 funding partnership to ensure the province continues to pay half of transit’s net operating costs including rapid transit.

·         Action on the largest emitters including closing down Manitoba Hydro’s coal-fired electricity plant in Brandon, except to support emergency operations, and capturing methane in large landfills. The province will work with the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro on a doable business plan for Brady Landfill that takes into account expenditures and revenues and provides funding for the project.

·         Greener cars and trucks including expanding the use of low-carbon fuels, developing a made‑in‑Manitoba clean vehicle standard, reducing the number of inefficient automobiles on the road and supporting new trucking technologies.

·         Alternative transportation choices for consumers including modernizing highway traffic laws to ensure that leading-edge, low- and no-emissions vehicles can be sold and driven in Manitoba, and continuing the consumer rebate for the purchase of hybrid and electric vehicles.

·         Clean energy expansion including energy-efficiency initiatives and the further development of hydro, wind and geothermal.

·         Agriculture, forestry and community programs including a new sustainable agriculture program, the planting of five million trees over the next five years and new programs to help municipalities track emissions, conserve energy and water, and reduce waste.

·         Coalitions with other Canadian provinces, U.S. states and other like-minded jurisdictions including sharing best practices, funding of new research and innovation opportunities, and meeting broader, regional targets like those set by the Western Climate Initiative (WCI). The proposed legislation is consistent with WCI targets.

 

Manitoba’s has set the following GHG reduction goals in order to meet the 2012 target of 17 MT:

·         transportation – up to one MT;

·         large emitters – 650,000 tonnes;

·         clean energy expansion – 670,000 tonnes;

·         agriculture, forestry and community programs – 680,000 tonnes; and

·         future climate action investments – 250,000-plus tonnes.

 

“Because Manitoba is powered by hydro and our GHG emissions are already lower than many other jurisdictions, there isn’t a simple, single action that will get us to our targets,” Doer said.  “We will work with the people of Manitoba, all sectors of industry, and the federal and municipal governments to reduce emissions across the board and continue to build a green economy.”

 

The premier noted that investing in climate-change initiatives upfront pays dividends later on. Saving energy not only helps the environment, it produces a rate of return for families, businesses and governments who realize genuine cost savings. A green economy also provides businesses with new opportunities to bring innovative products to market, he added.

 

Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart program is one example of Manitobans saving on their electricity bills by freeing up more than 400 megawatts of clean energy and allowing for increased sales to other jurisdictions more dependent on fossil fuels, Doer said. To date, Power Smart participation has grown to 50,000 users from 5,000.

 

In recent years, Manitoba has set up its first wind farm at St. Leon, implemented an ethanol mandate, improved building standards and introduced tax credits to preserve important habitat. This has helped emissions remain relatively stable from 2000 to 2005, despite strong economic and population growth, Doer said. Manitoba has also earned the highest marks for energy efficiency and was named the top regional government in the world for action on climate change by BusinessWeek Magazine.  

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