University of Alberta
Renewable Resources 480
Research Question
What effects do climate change policies have on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and globally?
Background
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are crucial contributions to climate change. This has consequences for all life as it alters environmental systems faster than ever before (Ledley 1999; Visser 2008). Governments globally strive to mitigate these impacts by reducing emission rates, yet face complex challenges in balancing environmental, economic, and social considerations associated with our technology-dependent society (Jaroszweski et al. 2010). It is important to analyse the efficiency of policies on greenhouse gas emission reduction, and their true effectiveness. If these policies prove unsuccessful, understanding the factors impeding success becomes imperative for informed future efforts in emission reduction.
In this analysis, we will focus on three different types of greenhouse gas reduction policies; The international Kyoto Accord, and two Canadian national policies.
International: The Kyoto Accord
Date: Globally adopted in 1997, ratified fully in 2005. Canada withdrew from Kyoto in 2011.
Target: Canada: ~557.5 MT CO2e between 2008 and 2012 (6% below the GHG emission level in 1990).
Global: average target was to reach 5% below the GHG emission level in 1990 between 2008 and 2012.
Methods: financial incentives from the government, creating emission reduction targets for large industries, trading allowed emission units between companies in the carbon market, collaborative funding for emission reduction with provinces and municipalities.
(National Round Table 2012; UNFCCC [2023]; UNFCCC 2020)
Sector Specific: Turning the Corner
Date: 2007
Target: ~587.6 MT CO2e by 2020 (20% below the GHG emission level in 2006).
Methods: National regulation of industries with the largest emissions through cap and trade systems including offsetting and funding for greener technology, including lightbulbs. Focuses on electricity and industry sectors.
(National Round Table 2012; IEA 2017)
General Strategy: National Action Program on Climate Change (NAPCC)
Date: 1995
Target: ~590.9 MT CO2e by 2020 (matching the GHG emission level in 1990).
Methods: Gave strategic directions for both the private sector and governments for mitigation efforts and adaptation to climate change. All energy and environmental sectors in each province and territory agreed to it, in response to joining the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
(ECCC 2021; Leach et al. 2021; Environment Canada 1997)
Figure 1. Canada withdraws from the Kyoto Protocol (Comte 2011).
Figure 2. An example of an energy efficient lightbulb (Grey [2023]).
Figure 3. United Nations Convention on Climate Change logo (Grantham Research Institute 2023).
Research Objectives
What effects do climate agreements and policies have on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, and what policy method is more successful?
We will analyse three emission policies; one sector specific, one general national strategy, and one international agreement. We will determine which are most effective, and if they were successful.
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Is there an observed influence of gross domestic product and population fluctuations on emissions in Canada?
We will compare the emission trends to the population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Canada, and see if they explain patterns in greenhouse gas release.
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Did legally committing to Kyoto actually have an impact on total CO2 emission reduction?
​We will compare Annex I countries who committed to Kyoto to Non-Annex I countries and the countries that did not commit, to see if legal obligation was successful in impacting emission release, or if there were other stronger underlying factors.
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Was the Kyoto Protocol successful in reducing emissions?
​We will visualize emission trends in individual countries and global trends overall, to see if emissions have decreased during the target period of Kyoto.
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​By determining the effect that different kinds of legislation and external factors have on emissions, we can suggest where more action needs to be implemented in Canada. Globally, we can visualize if international initiatives are decreasing the rate of emissions, and if level of commitment shows stronger results.
Madison Pusch
4th year undergraduate in Conservation Biology
Emelie Dykstra
4th year undergraduate in Conservation Biology