Canada has made good on a promise made at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.
At a hastily called news conference in Calgary Saturday, Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced this country's target for reducing greenhouse gases.
Canada's greenhouse gas emissions make up two per cent of the world's total.
And now Canada has formally notified the United Nations about plans to reduce our contribution to climate change.
Environment Minister Jim Prentice says Canada intends to reduce emissions 17 per cent by 2020, based on 2005 levels.
"Canada has registered a target today with the United Nations that is in keeping with our obligation under the Copenhagen Accord and that is aligned with the Obama administration," said Prentice.
17 per cent is the same target that the U.S. formally committed to last week.
The European Union has committed to a 20 per cent reduction based on 1990 levels.
Canada's commitment backs up promises made at last month's Copenhagen Conference, but it lacks specifics, especially when it comes to Alberta's oil sands.
"Well, we'll deal specifically with the oil sands, we'll deal specifically with all sources of emissions, but today, the objective of this announcement is to fulfill our obligations under the Copenhagen accord," said Prentice.
The Director of Alberta Environment's Climate Change Secretariat, Andy Ridge, says this province has already started to take action.
"It certainly is doable if we have a truly concerted effort within North America and globally, and because Alberta already is taking action, we're on that path to doing our fair share," commented Ridge.
But environmentalists say Canada's announcement is an embarrassment.
"Canada is a laggard when it comes to climate action," said Mike Hudema with Alberta Greenpeace. "We're becoming an international pariah when it comes to blocking progress and this is going to continue that reputation."
Several big polluting nations haven't committed to reductions yet. The Environment Minister is optimistic that will change.
"And from here we will wait and see what we see from other countries, in particular China, India, Brazil, and we'll deal with those decisions as, and when, we see what filings we have," added Prentice.
Prentice says the next step is getting all nations to agree to a legally binding international treaty which he warns could take several years.
Prentice says Canada and the U.S. are working to harmonize emission limits for passenger vehicles, air and marine transport, and heavy vehicles.
