How Far Are We Willing to Go? – Article by Thomas d’Aquino in the National Post

March 2, 2007

The following article appeared in the National Post, March 2, 2007. The author is Chief Executive and President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.
 
How Far Are We Willing to Go?
 
By Thomas d’Aquino

Friday, March 02, 2007

For too long, the climate-change debate has been dominated by a small number of special interest groups shouting past one another, often making claims that cannot be substantiated and resorting to scare tactics to achieve political gain.

In the two decades since I embraced the concept of sustainable development, I have never wavered in my view that responsible environmentalism and responsible economics go hand in hand. The supreme test of leadership is to draw the best from both. How then is this to be done?

We must begin by embracing an inescapable imperative: The restoration of global ecological balance and the mitigation of the effects of climate change will not succeed unless all major countries are fully engaged. This must include not only the developed world but also emerging powers such as China and India that are not bound by Kyoto Protocol targets.

Next to the United States, China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and its emissions are growing the fastest. If Canada stopped producing greenhouse gases tomorrow — if all economic activity in Canada were to cease — the growth of Chinese emissions would make up the difference in 18 months. Should the developed world take the lead in combating climate change? Of course–but the battle will be lost if the major emerging economies are not part of the effort.

We must be equally realistic in confronting Canada’s responsibilities. Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 totaled 758 million tonnes. Our country’s commitment under the Kyoto Protocol begins in 2008. To honour our commitment, Canada would have to reduce average annual emissions to 563 million tonnes — a drop of almost 200 million tonnes.

Meeting this would be a gargantuan task. If we took all cars and trucks off the road and every aircraft, train and ship out of service, we might come close. If we no longer heated any home, commercial building or public institution in Canada, we would be less than halfway to the target. If we shut down all oilsands production tomorrow, we would only make a small dent in the needed reductions.

Nevertheless, the Green Party, numerous environmentalists and now apparently a majority of parliamentarians insist that we must meet this onerous target. Technically, we can if we are prepared to make massive sacrifices or if we are prepared to spend billions of dollars in purchasing foreign carbon credits — a course of action I doubt taxpayers would accept.

The sensible solution to Canada’s predicament lies in a combination of bold actions and strategies:

1. Let’s have a genuine national debate about the options, the costs and the responsibilities. The sad truth is that few Canadians understand what meeting the Kyoto Protocol involves. The equally sad irony is that the Liberal government of the day committed Canadians to overly ambitious targets without the slightest idea of what such a commitment would entail.

2. Let’s embrace the sustainable development challenge and the immense opportunities it offers us. Conservation must be at the top of the agenda, along with more effective harnessing of technology aimed at reducing the environmental impact of human activity. The focus must be on technologies that will have a real payoff in the future, not on forcing expensive changes at the margin with only minimal reductions in greenhouse gases.

3. Let’s create a policy and regulatory framework that will encourage industry to further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and move more rapidly in the deployment of transformational technologies. What business wants are clear rules, adequate lead time and consistent policy. We do not oppose regulation or the idea of putting a price on carbon. But the overall package has to reinforce the ability of firms to innovate, invest and grow.

4. Let’s really get consumers on board. The challenge is fundamental — much more than not idling your car, using compact fluorescent light bulbs or turning down your thermostat. Many of the big things that consumers can do to reduce emissions — buying a hybrid car, installing a high-efficiency furnace or replacing windows — involve paying thousands of dollars up front, with the energy savings repaid slowly over many years. Let’s have a debate about what policies Canadians are ready to support and how they want their tax dollars spent to improve the environment.

5. Finally, let’s stop ignoring adaptation as one of the essential tools for coping with climate change. The reality is that the earth will continue to grow warmer even in the face of much more successful mitigation efforts. Understanding and preparing for change must involve a comprehensive policy framework and long-term investment that can blunt the negative consequences and capitalize on the positive.

– Thomas d’ Aquino is chief executive and president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

© National Post 2007