In December 2002, Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol and committed itself to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to an average of six per cent below 1990 levels by between 2008 and 2012. Meeting this target will require innovation, the development of new policy approaches, markets and technology, and the commitment of all Canadians to taking individual and collective action. At the same time, Canada also needs to prepare for the climatic changes that will take as a result of past and future emissions of greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Message - Catalyzing Change in Canada Climate change is among the most profound environmental and economic challenges facing Canadians. By acting strategically, Canada will be able to position itself as a leader in an emerging global economy that relies on clean, renewable energy sources, while reducing the impact of current and future climatic changes.

IISD is working actively in Canada as a catalyst for analysis and action on mitigating and adapting to climate change. Members of IISD's Climate Change and Energy team seek to facilitate the exchange of ideas and perspectives by engaging key decision-makers and policy influencers in critical discussions. As well, members of IISD's team provide expert advice and consultation to different federal and provincial governments and to businesses, including some of Canada's leading energy companies.

Our Team's Work Supports

• Reducing Canada's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  IISD's team works tirelessly with key decision-makers at all levels of government, in most regions of Canada, helping to develop ways in which Canada can play a legitimate role in meeting its Kyoto commitments. In this respect, IISD has developed a strong capacity as a convening authority—bringing together experts with decision-makers to help the Canadian government develop a more complete plan for implementing Kyoto. IISD is particularly active in providing advice related to emission reductions, including the establishment of a domestic emissions trading system for Canada.

• Understanding Impacts and Enhancing Resilience
  In conjunction with its efforts to encourage the implementation of effective policies that will reduce Canada's emissions of greenhouse gases, IISD is engaged in efforts to make Canadians aware of the ecological, economic and social impacts climate change will bring.

• Collaborative Action
  Our team works with a variety of organizations and groups, providing advice and consultation on climate change issues from policy, economic and environmental perspectives.

Featured Content

• Canadian Options for Post-2012
  IISD has undertaken an initial assessment of Canadian and international perspectives on establishing a sustainable, global regime for climate change action after the end of the Kyoto Protocol commitment period (2008 to 2012).

• Domestic Emissions Trading
  An introduction to Canada's emerging domestic emissions trading system.

• Manitoba and Climate Change
  IISD supports the demonstrated leadership of the Province of Manitoba by providing analysis of the potential opportunities created by the emerging carbon economy and the province's vulnerability to future climatic changes.

• Adaptive Policy-making
  As climate change is expected to increase uncertainty, change and surprise, IISD is exploring how to design and implement agriculture and water policies in Canada and India that can adapt to circumstances as they emerge over time and are robust across a variety of possible futures.

• Resilience on the Prairies
  A collaborative project that aims to understand: why some prairie agroecosystems are resilient to current climate stress; existing policies and management practices that support this resilience; and the implications of these findings for reducing the vulnerability of prairie communities to future climate change.

• Focusing on the Arctic
  IISD's work with Inuvialuit communities in Canada's western Arctic region to document the impacts climate change is having on their livelihoods and homelands.

Other Activities

• Reducing Emissions at IISD
  IISD's internal efforts to track, reduce and offset its own greenhouse gas emissions.

• Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) Coalition
  A national coalition of corporate, municipal and environmental non-governmental organizations seeking to accelerate the development of Canada's renewable energy industry.

• KyotoSmart
  A network of provincial governments, corporations, labour organizations, municipal representatives and environmental organizations promoting a long-term, positive approach to meeting Canada's Kyoto target.

• Climate Change Connection
  As a member of the steering committee of Manitoba's Climate Change public education and outreach hub, IISD promotes climate change information and action throughout the province of Manitoba.

Earlier Work

• Domestic Emissions Trading Group Meeting (2002)
  An IISD-hosted workshop that explored the potential opportunities, advantages and mechanisms for the creation of offset credits that could be used to a Domestic Emissions Trading System in Canada.

• Continental Energy Markets and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Implications? (2002)
  Co-hosted by IISD and The Canadian Energy Research Institute, this two-day conference examined strategies and approaches for meeting North America's current and future energy needs within the context of climate change.

• Climate Change Youth Café (1999)
  A discussion forum undertaken to influence Canada's Youth Strategy for Public Outreach on Climate Change.

• Wetlands and Carbon Sequestration (1999)
  A study undertaken to determine whether wetlands should be proposed as sinks for future inclusion in the Kyoto Protocol commitments.

• Incentives for Early Action (1998)
  A foundation piece that reviews the use of credit and banking to stimulate additional early action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions prior to 2008.