Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Chester Gillan is pleased with progress made on climate change issues at a Joint Meeting of Ministers of Energy and Environment this week.
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers gathered in Victoria, British Columbia to discuss climate change and, in particular, the question of ratification of the Kyoto Accord. The international treaty would require industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to an increase in global temperatures and changing climatic patterns.
"Climate change is a serious environmental issue. It has the potential to impact on our primary industries, plant and animal life, transportation and other aspects of daily life," said Minister Gillan. "It is important that we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, however, we also have a responsibility to inform Islanders and other Canadians precisely how we will meet our Kyoto commitments and what impacts that will have before moving forward. I believe the discussions in Victoria will allow us to do that."
Minister Gillan said the federal government reiterated its goal to make a decision on ratification of the Kyoto Protocol before the end of 2002, but not before full consultations with provinces, territories, stakeholders and the Canadian public.
As a first step, the federal government will develop an initial draft plan for how Canada could achieve its Kyoto target. The aim is for the plan, which will draw heavily on input of the provincial and territorial governments and other analysis, to be ready in time for the national stakeholder consultations in early May. It will also provide a focus for discussion at the next meeting of energy and environment ministers to be held in Prince Edward Island later that month.
At that time, Minister Gillan said, it will be clearer what further refinement and consultation might be required. The draft plan, together with the analysis of its potential impact, the views of provinces and territories, and input from stakeholders and the general public will provide the necessary background for a ratification decision, the Minister added.
In the meantime, Minister Gillan said Prince Edward Island is already taking action against climate change. He pointed to Curbing Climate Change: Prince Edward Island Climate Change First Business Plan, the first of a series of business plans outlining PEI's commitment to address climate change.
Initiatives in the business plan include installing green power capacity through the wind energy generation site at North Cape; purchasing green power for provincial government buildings; developing energy information materials to assist the manufacturing and processing sectors to reduce energy consumption; promoting ride-sharing programs such as PEI Enerpool; and support for natural gas exploration and bringing a natural gas pipeline to the province.
"While Prince Edward Island produces only 0.3 percent of the nation's carbon dioxide emissions, the predominant greenhouse gas, we will do our part to help curb climate change," said Minister Gillan.
"With PEI's experience in developing alternate energy and energy efficiency programs such as the district heating system in Charlottetown, we have a great deal to contribute and are well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities available in developing environmentally friendly sources of energy and other technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
Curbing Climate Change: Prince Edward Island Climate Change First Business Plan publication is available at Island Information Service and online at http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/fae_climatepei.pdf.