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

Canada in North America
Although the administration of President George W. Bush has stated that it does
not intend to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. has ratified the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and consequently must develop its
own plan to address climate change. The June 2001 report to President Bush by
the National Academy of Sciences reinforced the position that, regardless of any
rejection of the Kyoto Protocol’s terms, action in one form or another on
climate change is essential.
Due to our close economic relationship, Canada should coordinate its climate
change policies with those of the U.S. to the greatest extent possible. This has
particular implications for current plans to expand the Canada/US/Mexico
trade relationship in the energy sector. The approach that should be advocated
by Manitoba on this issue would be to ensure that climate change issues are
brought front-and-centre into any discussions among the three countries on a
continental energy policy. The consideration of a coordinated energy policy
should be prefaced by assurances of effective emission-restraint measures in all
three countries.
Manitoba’s Role
Several initiatives to address climate change are already underway in Manitoba.
In January 2001, the government of Manitoba announced the establishment of
the Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund. This four-year, $1 million program
supports Manitoba organizations interested in undertaking projects related to
climate change education and outreach, impacts and adaptation, technical
innovation and energy efficiency.
Manitoba Conservation hosts both the Inter-Departmental
Committee on Climate Change and the Climate Change Branch.
Some of the programs supported by the branch include the R-2000
Home Program, collaboration
with Manitoba Hydro in the
expansion of the Power Smart
Program and the demonstration
Courtesy of Manitoba Hydro.
of two
gas-electric hybrid vehi-
Manitoba Success Story –
The Kraus Group
The Kraus Group is a Manitoba
based company that has
expanded into environmentally
efficient technologies and
equipment. Alternative fuels
are widely used and Kraus has
either constructed or has
contracts to construct fueldispensing
outlets in countries
all around the world. Demand
for clean alternative fuels —
such as propane, natural gas
and compressed hydrogen —
continues to grow, especially as
countries work to lower urban
air pollution and reduce their
greenhouse gas emissions.
The Kraus Group has translated
that demand into recent
successes, such as building the
two largest compressed natural
gas (CNG) refueling outlets on
the planet in Mexico City. Each
outlet has the capacity to service
1,600 vehicles a day. Currently,
the outlets are fuelling a fleet
of police cars and natural gas
converted buses. Future plans
in Mexico City call for the
construction of another 100 CNG
outlets over five years. The Kraus
Group is the principal partner
in this project and its participation
will help Mexico City address
its staggering air pollution
problem.
www.krausindustries.com
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