The federal government
has allocated over $9 billion in the 2010 climate change plan for
measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it lacks the tools
and management systems needed to achieve, measure, and report
emission reductions.

This is according to Scott Vaughan, federal Commissioner of the
Environment and Sustainable Development, who tabled his report to
the House of Commons today.

In his statement to the House, Commissioner Vaughan said “We
found several improvements in the completeness and transparency of
the information contained in the climate change plans. However, we
also found that the government does not have the tools it needs to
achieve, measure, and report emission reductions.”

“Climate change is already having a
major impact on Canadian ecosystems and the health of
Canadians. To reach the new target the federal government
committed to under the Copenhagen Accord, it will need to address
the weaknesses in current management practices.” Scott Vaughan,
federal Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable
Development

As a result, he noted “the government does not know what it has
accomplished so far with nine billion dollars allocated to the 2010
climate change plan.”

“Canada is not on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions
target under the Kyoto Protocol,” said the Commissioner. “In fact,
the government has lowered the bar in what it hopes to achieve. It
has made new commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but
it  is unclear whether they are achievable.”

According to Environment Canada, in 2008, greenhouse gas 
emissions in Canada were 24 percent higher than in 1990, and
exceeded the Kyoto target by 31 percent.

To reach the new target the federal government committed to
under the Copenhagen Accord, it will need to address the weaknesses
in current management practices.

The 2007 Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act requires
that the government implement annual climate change plans designed
to

ensure that Canada meets its Kyoto obligations by 2012.

The Act also requires that every two years until 2012, the
Commissioner analyze and report on the government’s progress in
implementing the plans and meeting those obligations.

Overall, the Audit concludes that the climate change plans are
not in compliance with  the Act as they are missing
information required by subsection 5(1). Furthermore, it
states, the measures in the plans are not sufficient to meet
the Kyoto Protocol obligations for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.

The chapter “href=”http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_cesd_201110_01_e_35760.html”
target=”_blank”>Climate Change Plans Under the Kyoto Protocol
Implementation Act” is available on the Office of the
Auditor General of Canada website.