Green House Gas Emissions (GHGE), carbon footprint and climate protection

Although Canadians make up 0.5% of the population in the world, our share of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) is estimated to be 2%. The increase in total greenhouse gas emissions in Canada (25%) outpaced population growth (17%) from 1990 to 2005. Emissions rose from 7.6% per person in 1990-2005 to levels of 23 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person. Source: GHGE per capita Environment Canada’s, National Inventory Report 1990-2004.

A Carbon footprint is the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product.  The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce as units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The Niagara Region has partnered with Environment Canada and Brock University to examine how climate change might impact the community and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program. They have committed to create a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast, set an emissions reductions target, develop an action plan, carry out the action plan and monitor the progress and report results

According to the Niagara Community Emissions Survey, Niagara’s residents add more than four million tonnes of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere each year. The report, based on 2006 census data, estimated that vehicles were the source for about 40% of the estimated 4.1 million tonnes of carbon emissions generated in 2006.  This report established baseline measures of greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to find areas that might be addressed in an effort to conserve energy in our communities. Compared to other CMAs, Niagara has a lower rate of carbon emissions for energy production than most areas of Ontario.

Source: Niagara Community Emissions Survey,