Greenhouse gas emissions down, but microscopically

Remember the Kyoto Protocol?

Well, the government is forced to submit a report every year about how it plans to meet, or not meet, its targets under that agreement. That's because of a New Democrat private members' bill that was passed by the minority parliament. (Update: Oops! The "Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act" was tabled by Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez and passed by all the opposition parties).

And what does this year's report show? That the government only expects its climate change plans will mean a reduction of 10 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2012. In other words, six years after taking office, the Harper government will have cut emissions 1.4 per cent below business as usual.

The government is also "readjusting" the amount of gases that will be cut as a result of its clean air and climate change trust fund. Last year, the target was 16 mega tonnes. This year, it's now 0.34 megatonnes.

Throughout the report, the government points to initiatives it signed onto, such as new fuel efficiency standards for vehicles, that will start just as the Kyoto period is ending, but will have a benefit later. It also signed onto the Copenhagen agreement last December, which will follow the Kyoto Protocol.

But the environmental group the Pembina Institute, says these numbers confirm that the Harper government is neither implementing nor planning any policies that will substantially reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.

UPDATE: Here are responding comments from Environment Minister Jim Prentice:

"While there is still work to be done, improvements in our emissions levels strengthen this Government's commitment to continue tackling climate change and reduce Canada's greenhouse (gas emissions)."

"Over the last six months, we announced new policies to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions such as our tough new emission regulations for passenger cars and trucks and similar regulations for heavy trucks are also in the works. Of course, there is more to do and our government, unlike the former Liberal government, is acting to deliver on our national and global commitments on climate change."