The Province of Québec
Province of Québec
Population: 7.65 million (2006)
GHG Emissions: 84.3 million metric tonnes
CO2e (2006)
Targets/Goals
- A 6% reduction in GHG emissions by 2012 compared to 1990 levels and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
To reach this goal, the Government of Québec has implemented the 20062012 Climate Change Action Plan or PACC, the Québec Energy Strategy 2006-2015, the Québec Public Transit Policy 2006-2012 and the Strategy to Develop the Environment Industry and Green Technologies 2008-2012.
Québec is a member of the Western Climate Initiative.
Top Actions
Energy Efficiency
- A new energy efficiency and new technologies master plan aims
to avoid or reduce CO2e by 9.4 megatons through more
efficient use of all forms of energy and the promotion and support
of energy innovation.
- Two programs that benefit from CAD$165 million (US$139 million)
in total funding up to 2012, will lead to reductions in excess of
one million tonnes of CO2e. These are the program to
reduce heavy fuel oil consumption by encouraging conversion to
natural gas or biomass and improving the energy efficiency of
already-installed systems, and the industrial support program that
targets a reduction in light fuel oil and propane use in industrial
processes or building heating.
- For its part, the Société immobilière du
Québec that manages public buildings has already succeeded
in reducing GHG emissions in its properties by 34% compared to 1990
levels. This goal has been achieved notably by replacing
energy-hungry heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems with
higher performance equipment. The objective set by the PACC was a
reduction of between 10% and 14%, compared to 2003 figures.
- A new Building Code should be in place in 2009 and will lead to reductions of 50,000 tonnes of CO2e. The current revision of the code will engender improvements to energy efficiency in new buildings and homes built in Québec.
Renewable Energy
- In Québec, 97% of electricity is hydraulic and wind
based, and investments are planned going forward to 2015 in order
to accelerate energy production from these renewable sources,
including 4,500 MW of new hydroelectric projects and 4,000 MW of
wind energy projects.
- Alternative fuel aims include for gasoline distributors to include 5% of cellulose ethanol in their overall fuel sales by 2012. Québec favours the development of second-generation ethanol over grain based ethanol. Ethanol production is scheduled to begin in 2009. Québec also intends to invest CAD$100 million (US$84 million) to support bio-energy projects.
Transportation
- In 2006, the Government of Québec adopted a CAD$4.5
billion (US$3.8 billion) over six years Québec Public
Transit Policy to increase ridership through improved services, new
infrastructure and equipment and support for other alternatives
such as walking and cycling. This will reduce emissions in the
order of 130,000 tons of CO2e.
- The Coupez le moteur! Program, with a CAD$4.2 million (US$3.5
million) budget supports municipalies that adopt regulations aimed
at countering vehicle idling.
- Two programs dedicated to the reduction of GHG emissions
related to the transport of goods include CAD$60 million (US$50.5
million) for multi-modal (maritime and rail) projects that engender
GHG reductions and CAD$45 million (US$38 million) to facilitate the
acquisition of equipment that improves vehicle fleet energy
efficiency.
- Following Californias lead, the Government of Québec has
adopted a draft regulatory enforcement of GHG-emission standards
for model year 2010 and forward vehicles sold in the province.
Québec sees its regulation coming into effect concurrently
with those of other North American jurisdictions.
- Regulation on the mandatory activation of speed limiting
devices on all trucks carrying goods and setting the maximum speed
for these vehicle at 105 Km/hour.
- A CAD$2,000 (US$1,700) tax credit upon purchase of a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use Policy
- Farm operators have access to a total of CAD$24 million ($US20 million) in funding for the implementation of GHG-reducing technologies involving biogas capture and processing at liquid manure installations and replacing greenhouse and animal husbandry building heating equipment with biomass or geothermic systems. These steps should produce reductions of 300,000 tonnes of CO2e.
Waste Management
- Regulation respecting the landfilling and incineration of
residual materials came into effect in 2006. This regulation
contains many provisions aimed at controlling biogas emissions at
sites with an annual capacity in excess of 50,000 tons of waste
(large-scale sites). The implementation of this regulation
will allow for reductions of 500 kilotons in CO2e by
2012.
- For smaller sites that are not covered by the regulation, the Government of Québec has introduced the Biogaz program that funds the installation of equipment for the capture and elimination or valorization of biogas generated at these facilities.
Promoting Low Carbon Technology
- Between today and 2012, CAD$135 million (US$113 million) will be available for funding demonstration projects showcasing innovative technology and processes that reduce GHG emissions.
Fiscal Measures and Market-Based Mechanisms
- A duty on gasoline and other fossil fuels,is the major funding
component (CAD$200 million (US$168 million) per year) of the
20062012 Climate Change Action Plan . This duty is a North American
first.
- As part of its association with the Western Climate Initiative, Québec also looks to adopting a GHG emission cap-and-trade regulation by 2010 that will apply to the industrial sector by 2012 and the transport and construction sectors by 2015.
Legislation
- Other legislation includes the implementation of the regulation on halocarbons banning chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons and the regulation on mandatory declaration of certain pollutants (including GHG) above specified thresholds. This measure mainly concerns primary industries, landfills and incinerators.
Links
Government of Québec Climate Change Website
Québec Climate Change Action Plan