Posts Tagged ‘environment’
Technological innovation required to meet Copenhagen targets: Harper
Prime Minister Harper says the world must recognise the economic impact of dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the short term, while driving technological innovations that will reduce emissions in the long term.
It has to be recognized that the current technological mix leads to a certain levels of emission, and that is what has to be changed. And that is going to take some time.
It has to be done, but it will not be done by simply trying to pretend economic imperatives don’t exist, because all that happens when that happens is people set targets, and then don’t meet them.
- Stephen Harper
Dion unveils Liberal "Green Shift" carbon tax
Liberal leader Stéphane Dion announced details of the Liberal Party’s Green Shift carbon tax at a party rally in Ottawa.
The plan includes a tax on carbon emissions against big polluters with tax cuts and rebates for individuals intended to offset increased energy prices caused by the tax.
Dion later challenged Harper to a public debate saying he wants a substantive discussion on the issue.
Related Videos:
- Video: Harper promotes Canada’s emission reduction plan in Europe
- Video: Stéphane Dion proposes carbon ‘tax shift’
Links:
- Liberal Party website: The Green Shift
Harper promotes Canada’s emission reduction plan in Europe
Prime Minister Harper promotes Canada’s plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce in London, England.
Links:
- Canada’s Environment Plan: Turning the Corner Regulatory Framework
- Video: Stéphane Dion proposes carbon ‘tax shift’
- Video: Stephen Harper’s economic plan
Stéphane Dion proposes carbon ‘tax shift’
Stéphane Dion outlined his vision for the economy and environment during a speech at the Canadian Club of Toronto.
Dion proposed a carbon tax during the speech, saying it will be revenue neutral because he would also lower other taxes.
MacKay Editorial Cartoons: Liberals uneasy about Dion’s plan for carbon tax
Some Liberals are uneasy of the plan, fearing it will be difficult to sell during an election.
Related links:
- Report: Pricing Carbon: Saving Green (David Suzuki Foundation)
- Regulatory Framework for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Government of Canada)
- Video: Stephen Harper’s economic plan
Stephen Harper answers questions from the Council on Foreign Relations
September 25, 2007 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper answered questions from members of the Council on Foreign Relations, a US-based non-partisan think tank for international affairs.
Harper answered questions on a wide range of issues including climate change, the Kyoto Protocol, the differences between the US and Canada, and why America is ‘hated’ but Canada is not.
Harper said there is a high possibility of another minority government after the next federal election, but that Canada’s foreign policy would not change even if they achieved a majority.
I believe that when it comes to foreign affairs and global security, this is one area where you do what is right in the long-term interests of the country, your allies and the world … Under a minority government, this government’s foreign policy will not be any different than it would be under a majority government.
- Stephen Harper
Harper says Canada will lead the fight against climate change
Stephen Harper says Canada will be a world leader in the fight against global warming and in the development of clean energy technology.
Harper chose climate Change as the topic of his address to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Sydney, Australia. He stressed the need for an inclusive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that involves all countries working toward common targets.
Harper outlined Canada’s approach, saying the plan could be model for a new international agreement. The plan includes:
- Mandatory targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18% per unit of production over the next 3 years, and then a further 2% reduction in intensity each year thereafter
- Macro GHG reduction targets of 20% by 2010 and 50-70% by 2050 over 2006 levels
- Domestic carbon market and emissions trading regime
- Clean Technology Fund for developing new technologies
- Use of international credits such as the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism
We want to be a world leader in the fight against global warming and the development of clean energy technology, we want to lead not by lecturing but by example, we want to share our knowledge and experience, and we want to work with the entire international community in the quest for clean energy.
APEC leaders agreed to common “aspirational targets” at the close of the summit the following day, representing the first time both the United States and China have participated in an international climate change declaration. However, the declaration quickly rejected by environmental groups for not including legally binding targets.
Links:
