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Emission figures jump in Manitoba

By: Lindsey Wiebe

Posted: 06/3/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A 1.9 per cent jump in the province's greenhouse-gas emissions in 2007 is getting in the way of the Doer government's efforts to paint the province as a Kyoto-friendly jurisdiction.The 400-tonne jump to reach 21.3 megatonnes is included in the latest National Inventory Report, released by the federal government last month. The report tallies emissions released by greenhouse-gas sources and captured in 'sinks,' like forests.

"What this shows is how urgently we have to turn this around," said Climate Change Connection project manager Curt Hull.

The increase tops the 100-tonne rise in 2006. Figures from 2007 are the most recent available.

In 2008, the province pledged to cut emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012 to reach Kyoto protocol targets.

Manitoba's biggest emissions increase in 2007 came in the energy category, including electricity and heating, manufacturing and commercial and residential emissions. Emissions in that category rose by nearly six per cent to 12.8 megatonnes.

But agricultural emissions, the second-biggest category next to energy, dropped by five per cent. Hull said that's in keeping with statistics that show a drop in livestock numbers and fertilizer use. More farmers also seem to be using less intensive practices, like zero-tillage and crop rotations, he said.

There were some high points in the long-term data: Hull said emissions from residential heating have dropped by close to a third since 1990, due in part to provincial rebate programs.

Road transportation emissions, however, rose by more than 30 per cent over the same time frame.

Energy minister Jim Rondeau said the numbers don't show the anticipated effects from emission-cutting efforts since 2008, like the 8.5 per cent ethanol blend in vehicles begun that year.

"I'm pleased that the trend has been relatively flat," he said, pointing out Manitoba's increase was one of the lowest in Canada.

Rondeau said he believes emissions will start dropping in the 2008 figures.

Manitoba's emissions make up less than three per cent of Canada's total.

lindsey.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 3, 2009 B3

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