On April 17th, the Government of Canada filed its National Inventory Report (NIR) with the UN as part of its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. The report shows that the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to grow.

According to the report, in 2007 Canada’s GHG emissions were 747 Mt, which is a 26.2 per cent increase over 1990 emissions. Between 2006 and 2007, emissions increased by four per cent.

As the report states, since 1990, "growth in emissions has resulted primarily from the categories of Electricity and Heat Generation, Fossil Fuel Industries, Mining, Transportation, Consumption of Halocarbons and SF6, Enteric Fermentation and Waste." Overall decreases have been seen in manufacturing industries and construction, chemical industry and metal production.

CO2 is the largest contributor to Canada’s GHG emissions. The proportion of CO2 has changed only slightly, rising from 77 per cent of emissions in 1990 to 79 per cent in 2007.

According to the Kyoto Protocol, Canada set a target of reducing GHG emissions six per cent below 1990 levels in the 2008-2012 time period. That target appears now to be all but out of reach.

The Energy Sector contributed about 82 per cent (or 614 Mt) of Canada’s total GHG emissions in 2007, according to the report. "The Energy Sector accounts for all GHG (CO2, CH4, and N2O) emissions from stationary and transport fuel combustion activities as well as fugitive emissions from the fossil fuel industry," the report explains.

Between 1990 and 2007, fuel combustion-related emissions increased 29 per cent, while emissions from fugitive releases rose 52 per cent.

For a copy of the report click here.

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