A clean fuel standards would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, but also buildings and industry.

A clean fuel standards would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, but also buildings and industry.
Photo Credit: CBC

Thumbs up for plan to set a clean fuel standard

The Pembina Institute applauds the government of Canada’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  by setting a clean fuel standard. This would apply to fuels used in transportation, in homes and buildings, and in industry.

A standard would be set to decrease the carbon intensity of fuels. A government background document says “it would promote the use of clean technology, lower carbon fuels, and promote alternatives such as electricity, biogas, and hydrogen.”

Buildings and homes in Canada are heated in winter. A clean fuel standard would help reduce carbon emissions in that sector.
Buildings and homes in Canada are heated in winter. A clean fuel standard would help reduce carbon emissions in that sector. © Rafferty Baker/CBC
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‘A proven type of standard’

“We were very pleased with this announcement,” says Dianne Zimmerman, a policy director at the Pembina Institute. “It’s the first time, I believe, in the world that a national government has introduced a national standard for fuel.

“In Canada, we’ve looked at it in (the province of) British Columbia where we’ve had regulations—a low-carbon and renewable fuel standard. It’s a proven type of standard that will allow for the most amount of flexibility…

‘A least-cost opportunity’

“It has proven itself as a least-cost opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.”

The government says the goal of the clean fuel standard would be to reduce annual GHG emissions by 30 megatonnes by 2030. That would provide a “significant contribution towards achieving Canada’s commitment of 30 percent emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030,” according to the government backgrounder.

Government will consult

A discussion paper will be published in February 2017 to help guide consultations leading up to the development of a clean fuel standard.
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