OTTAWA (CP) - Canada can cut its greenhouse gas emissions 60 per cent by 2050 using existing technology, says a new study by a federal agency.
That cut is 10 times deeper than required under the Kyoto Protocol, but over a longer period. The cuts would not damage the economy but rather would lead to new market opportunities, says the study by the Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. Many scientists say a cut of at least 60 per cent by mid-century by all countries is required if the planet is to avoid catastrophic climate change.
"The first and perhaps most important finding of the analysis is that it can be done," says the agency, which operates at arm's length from the government.
The solution doesn't lie in any single technology, but in the use of all available technologies to improve the way energy is produced and used, says the study.
"We're saying that if these things are done intelligently, there is likely to be some substantial market opportunities," Alex Wood, an analyst with the round table, said in an interview Tuesday.
Environment Minister Rona Ambrose has said it is impossible to meet the target of the Kyoto Protocol - a six per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2012 - without shutting down whole sectors of the economy.
The new study does not contradict Ambrose's statement because it uses a different time frame. But it says that there is a great need for long-term political direction.
"The chief difficulty in significantly reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions is not the lack of relevant technologies - rather the lack of long-term signals that ongoing GHG reduction will remain a priority."
The study assumes a population in Canada of 45 million, a growing economy, continued dominance of cars and trucks in transportation, and a quadrupling of output from the oil sands.
It also assumes the expansion of Canada's east-west electricity grid, and the perfecting of carbon sequestration, which involves the disposal of carbon underground.
Cars, trucks, appliances and buildings would all be designed for greater efficiency. Clean coal technology and carbon sequestration would be implemented across the country.
The round table members say urgent action is required: "Working to mitigate and adapt to climate change should figure as one of the federal government's chief policy priorities."
