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Canada Under Investigation for Kyoto Compliance

The United Nations is now investigating Canada for failing to set up a simple greenhouse gas accounting mechanism. Yesterday the United Nations announced that Canada will be formally investigated on non-compliance for failing to set up a greenhouse gas registry.

Ottawa (6 May 2008) - Even as evidence of climate change impacting Canada mounts, the federal government continues to allow emissions to keep increasing, while ignoring Canada’s obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. The United Nations is now investigating Canada for failing to set up a simple greenhouse gas accounting mechanism.

"This is the latest humiliation for Canada on the world stage,” said John Bennett of ClimateforChange.ca. “At a time when we should be combating climate change and fighting for the environment, this government is quarreling with the UN and fighting to protect the tar sands. It’s a sober reminder of how far we've fallen in the eyes of other nations. The world expects better of Canada - and Canadians expect better of the federal government.”

The United Nations announced Monday that Canada will be formally investigated on for non-compliance – specifically, for failing to set up a greenhouse gas registry.

Although Canada has stated it does not plan to reach its Kyoto targets, it remains a party to the Kyoto Protocol and is therefore obligated to track greenhouse gas emissions through a system that would track the ownership of carbon credits in the international carbon market. This is a precondition to the purchase or sale of international credits under the Kyoto Protocol. The federal government has failed to set up this registry despite the fact that the government’s “Turning the Corner” plan stipulates that Canadian industry would be allowed to meet up to 10% of their targets through the purchase of credits under the Kyoto Protocol.

“Not only is Canada refusing to comply with its Kyoto targets, but it is now in violation of other important legal requirements under the global treaty,” said Emilie Moorhouse of Sierra Club Canada. “Here is another example of the federal government’s negligence when it comes to honouring our international commitments.”