Manitoba Climate Change Task Force - International Institute for ...

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The latest estimates of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations body composed of the world’s leading climate scientists, predict a global average temperature rise of 1.4-5.8 degrees Celsius between 1990 and 2100.* The actual global temperature increase is uncertain because it depends on how quickly, and by how much, global emissions of greenhouse gases are reduced. One thing is certain: some degree of warming is inevitable. Since most greenhouse gases have long lifespans in the atmosphere, even if emissions rates were stabilized at current levels, the effects would be felt for decades to come. How do Manitobans Contribute to Climate Change? Through our economic activities and lifestyles, Manitobans and all Canadians contribute to the process of climate change by generating greenhouse gases. In 1999, Manitoba’s greenhouse gas emissions totaled approximately 20,900 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (kt CO2 eq). This total represents an increase of 2.5 per cent in comparison to emission rates in 1990. While Manitoba is responsible for only a small proportion of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions, our emission levels on a per capita basis are comparable to the national average. The majority of Manitoba’s emissions come from two sectors — transportation and agriculture. Emissions from the transportation sector constituted 31 per cent of the province’s emissions in 1999, while agriculture was responsible for 33 per cent of emissions. Energy use, excluding transportation, contributed about 24.5 per cent of emissions, while industry, waste disposal, land-use change and forestry and other sources accounted for the remaining 5.5 per cent. As plans to address climate change are developed, energy must be a primary focus since it cuts across all sectors of the economy and is intimately connected to Manitobans’ lifestyles. Reductions in Manitoba’s greenhouse gases should involve encouraging fuel substitution, changing human behaviour, and making a firm commitment to sustainable development. Manitoba Hydro currently * Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Working Group I, Third Assessment Report. Summary for Policy Makers, p.13. http://www.ipcc.ch/. What is Climate Change? Climate change refers to the overall warming of the earth’s atmosphere caused by the build-up of “greenhouse gases.” The most important greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. When the sun’s heat reaches the earth, these gases act like the glass ceiling of a greenhouse, trapping the heat near the earth’s surface. Through the burning of fossil fuels and forests since the industrial revolution, humans have emitted more greenhouse gases than the earth is able to absorb, leading to increased concentrations in the atmosphere, which in turn allows less of the sun’s heat to be reflected back into space. 7
8 MCCTF Report 2001 — Manitoba and Climate Change: Investing in our future meets about 60 per cent of Manitoba’s energy needs (25 per cent from hydroelectricity and 35 per cent from natural gas), and it must be a key player in addressing climate change. The capital region must be another area of focus given that 63 per cent 3 of Manitoba’s population resides in it. Manitoba faces some unique challenges as it develops plans to address climate change. In other parts of Canada, energy produced by coal or gas is used by a small number of large emitters. In Manitoba, however, there is no industry sector that can single-handedly deliver significant greenhouse gas reductions. Our economy is dominated by small businesses; approximately 95 per cent of all businesses in Manitoba have fewer than 50 employees. The agriculture sector includes numerous operations dispersed over a wide geographical area. Emissions from personal vehicles constitute a significant portion of our transportation emissions. This diversity of sources means that all Manitobans from all sectors of our economy and society will need to participate in efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. 3 Statistics Canada. 1996 Census.
Page 1 and 2: Report of the Manitoba Climate Chan
Page 3 and 4: Manitoba Climate Change Task Force
Page 5 and 6: The Manitoba Climate Change Task Fo
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Page 9 and 10: 1. Introduction 4 MCCTF Report 2001
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Page 29 and 30: 3. What the Public Said 24 MCCTF Re
Page 35 and 36: 4. Guiding Principles 30 MCCTF Repo
Page 37 and 38: 5. Strategic Direction and Recommen
Page 53 and 54: 6. Organizing for Success 48 MCCTF
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Page 58 and 59: Climate Model • A quantitative wa
Page 60 and 61: Kyoto Mechanisms • Mechanisms est
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Appendix 2 - Terms of Reference The
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Thompson (June 13, 2001): Dave Neuf
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Appendix 5 - Members, Staff and Adv
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Appendix 6 - Task Force Letter to P
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