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One
day after the United States said it would aim to reduce greenhouse
gases Canada announced that it would reduce its emissions by 17% as
well.Environment Minister Jim Prentice said, “It’s a target we think is achievable with the correct public policies. We know we can achieve that target, we're prepared to stand behind it and other countries will now have to do the same,” he said.
Canada is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 17% below 2005 levels over the next decade. Canada is one of serveral nations that signed the Copenhagen Accord during COP15 last December, according to the agreement, each nation was to set its target goal by Jan. 31.
“The objective of this announcement is to fulfill our obligations under the Copenhagen Accord.” Although the accord is not legally binding, Prentice claims Canada is working to change that.
“What is important is that we now proceed to achieve a comprehensive agreement that we, over the course of the coming year, translate the agreement in principal that was arrived at in Copenhagen, into a binding international treaty that applies to all target emitters, including China and the United States,” he said.
“In terms of motor vehicles, starting in 2011 we will have continental tailpipe emission standards. We’re also moving forward in harmonization with air transport emissions, marine emissions, as well as though from heavy vehicles. We’ll deal specifically with the oilsands, we’ll deal with all sources of emissions,” said Prentice.
