Environment Minister Dustin Duncan introduced the provincial government鈥檚 climate change strategy. The strategy, titled Prairie Resilience: A Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy, focuses on the principles of readiness and resilience, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change 鈥� without a carbon tax.
鈥淭his plan is broader and bolder than a single policy such as a carbon tax and will achieve better and more meaningful outcomes over the long term,鈥� Duncan said. 鈥淥ur climate change strategy recognizes the investment and innovation that has taken place and sets out the road map for future actions. This is about protecting our people and communities as much as it is about working with industry and others to reduce emissions here in Saskatchewan.鈥�
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and its Expert Committee on Environment had previously met with officials from the Ministry of Environment to hear details regarding this new 鈥淢ade in Saskatchewan鈥� plan to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change, so the announcement is commendable. 鈥淲e congratulate Minister Duncan on taking this important step towards reducing Saskatchewan鈥檚 carbon emissions with a 鈥楳ade in Saskatchewan鈥� plan,鈥� said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce surveyed its members on the issue of carbon pricing in November 2016, and the results clearly showed that the Chamber should continue to support the provincial government鈥檚 opposition to the implementation of a federal carbon pricing program and also advocate for technological investments and incentives to reduce emissions.
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) endorsed the principles announced in the province鈥檚 Climate Change Strategy.
鈥淥ur members strongly believe that agriculture is key to providing solutions to managing carbon emissions,鈥� said APAS President Todd Lewis. 鈥淲e also strongly reject the imposition of a carbon tax on our sector, because it will only raise our costs, without tackling the urgent problem of climate change.鈥�
APAS fully supports the creation of a voluntary carbon offset system that would recognize agricultural carbon management. As Lewis pointed out, on cropland alone, Saskatchewan producers sequester 8.5 million additional tonnes of carbon annually, and more is sequestered on pastures, wetlands and forested areas. 鈥淐anada can lead the world in designing offset and incentive policies that preserve and expand carbon sinks, and this strategy is a good start to having this conversation,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥淎PAS also supports increased research on plant genetics and agricultural technologies that will expand our ability to sequester carbon and improve efficiency.鈥�
The strategy proposes actions in key areas, including: natural systems; physical infrastructure; economic sustainability; community preparedness; and measuring, monitoring and reporting.
The climate change strategy includes developing and implementing sector-specific output-based performance standards on large emitting facilities, such as those in oil and gas, and mining. These standards will be developed in consultation with industry throughout 2018 and will recognize actions already taken by industry to reduce emissions.
Flexible compliance options for industry will be developed that will include: Making improvements at facilities to reduce emissions intensity; Purchasing a carbon offset, representing a reduction in GHG emissions; Using best performance credits; Utilizing a market mechanism outlined in the Paris Accord, such as an internationally transferred mitigation outcome; and Paying into a technology fund.
The offset system will create additional value for actions that result in carbon sequestration or reduced emissions, especially from agricultural soils, wetlands and forests. While agricultural producers will not be covered under any standard, they will benefit from 小蓝视频 eligible to participate in the new offset program.
The strategy also reaffirms SaskPower鈥檚 commitment to achieve a 50 per cent electricity capacity from renewable resources and reduce overall GHG emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. Provincial regulations will be introduced for electrical generation that will help facilitate an equivalency agreement with the federal government covering coal-fired generation in the province.
鈥淪askatchewan is blessed with natural resources that provide food, fuel and fertilizer to the world and innovative producers that supply these resources in the most environmentally responsible ways possible,鈥� Duncan said. 鈥淭his strategy will allow our industries to grow and continue providing these goods while staying competitive on the world stage. It will ensure Saskatchewan remains an attractive place to do business and reaffirms our commitment to reducing emissions and addressing climate change.鈥�
The strategy also includes increasing efficiencies in buildings by adopting the 2015 National Building Code; creating a freight strategy to improve delivery times, reduce fuel and increase efficiency; and developing a climate resiliency model to help ensure communities are able to adapt and mitigate against the effects of climate change.
Stakeholder consultations will begin in early 2018. This will refine the strategy and allow the province to implement regulations, resilience measures and reporting structures in 2018. Saskatchewan鈥檚 climate change strategy is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/climate-change-policy.
