Taming Transport: New Regulations for Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Canada’s air is soon to be a little cleaner- thanks to the new proposed Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations, announced earlier this year by Environment Canada.

Shaping up Emissions

These proposed regulations are an important part of Canada’s fight against climate change. Emissions from transportation make up 27% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The cars and trucks we drive every day account for 12% of our total.

The proposed regulations will require significant technological improvements to new vehicles to reduce GHG emissions. They would apply to companies that manufacture or import new passenger automobiles and light trucks for sale in Canada starting with the 2011 model year.

New Standards for Cars and Trucks

The Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations, which were published in the Canada Gazette Part I on April 17, 2010, establish new standards for limiting GHG emissions from new cars and light trucks. These regulations would be implemented beginning with the 2011 model year, and would introduce mandatory emission standards that become progressively stricter over the 2011 to 2016 model years.

These tough new regulations are aligned with the mandatory national standards of the United States. As our automotive industry is tied closely with our neighbours to the South, a harmonized approach will benefit the environment, industry and consumers.

Through the implementation of these proposed standards, it is projected that the average GHG emissions from the 2016 Canadian fleet of new cars and light trucks will be reduced by 25% from those sold in 2008.

Over the lifetime operation of the 2011 to 2016 model- year vehicles sold in Canada, it is projected that the new regulations will remove a total of 92 megatonnes of “carbon dioxide equivalent” in greenhouse gas emissions and result in net fuel savings of approximately 28 billion litres.

In view of the above, the proposed regulations not only benefit the environment through a reduction in GHG emissions... the environmental improvements to the new model vehicles will ultimately translate into fuel savings for you!

Other Ways to Reduce your Emissions

 Here are other ways to reduce your GHG emissions on a day to day basis:

• Buy a fuel efficient vehicle: Consumers have many more choices available today that can help improve fuel consumption while keeping expensive fuel costs down. Check out NRCan’s Fuel Consumption Guide for more information.
• Scrap your old vehicle: The Retire Your Ride program provides rewards for Canadians who take their 1995 and older, more polluting vehicles off the road. The program wraps up March 31, 2011 – be sure to take advantage while you can!
• Look into alternative modes of transport: Biking, rollerblading and walking are all great ways to do your part for the environment and get exercise at the same time!
• Green summer travel: Click here to learn more about how to make your summer road trip more environmentally friendly!
• Take action: Visit EC’s Take Action for the Environment to learn more about what you can do!