February 20-21, 2002

Ottawa, Canada

Organized jointly by IISD and the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI), the conference Continental Energy Markets and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Implications?, provided a venue in which to examine strategies and approaches for meeting North America's current and future energy needs. Presenters exchanged ideas regarding:

• whether to meet North America's future energy needs through supply side or demand side management initiatives;

• the implications of the Kyoto Protocol and North American Free Trade Agreement on the emergence of a continental energy market;

• the potential of innovative approaches such as emissions trading and wind energy; and

• the implications of expanded energy development for Canada's North.

Speakers included Larisa Dobriansky of the U.S. Department of Energy; Gerry Scott of the David Suzuki Foundation; Robert Hornung of the Pembina Institute; Rick Hyndman of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers; and Paul Fauteux of Environment Canada. Keynote addresses were provided by the Hon. Herb Dahliwal, Minister of Natural Resources; the Hon. David Anderson, Minister of the Environment; and Lorne Taylor, Alberta Minister of the Environment.

Over 130 participants from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico attended the conference, representing government agencies, academic and research institutions, business and industry, and international and non-governmental organizations. Through this conference, IISD and CERI hope to have initiated a continuing dialogue on policies and approaches to address the energy challenges facing North America.

IISD's Linkages covered the conference and provided a summary of its proceedings.

This event was sponsored by Alcan, Environment Canada, Hydro One, Natural Resources Canada, Ontario Power Generation, Petro-Canada, Shell Canada, Suncor Energy and TransCanada.