What Supporters Say
Supporters of Canada's participation in the Kyoto Protocol say:- Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Canada in 2002 set legally binding targets for Canada for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Deeper emission targets will be needed after 2012 if the objective of stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at a safe level is to be met.
- Canada can reduce greenhouse gases more cheaply if it works within the context of an international system.
- The Kyoto Protocol benefits by having Canada as a presence in North America.
- The benefits of the Kyoto Protocol outweigh the costs.
- The costs of not acting include the costs of droughts, floods and poor health.
- Canada would lose international credibility and create foreign policy problems for itself if it withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol.
What Opponents Say
Opponents to Canada's participation in the Kyoto Protocol say:- Without the United States in the Kyoto Protocol, the problem of emissions can't be addressed seriously.
- What is needed is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without a heavy cost in economic development and jobs.
- Kyoto Protocol targets must be more realistic and achievable.
- Greenhouse gas emission targets should recognize a nation's special circumstances, for example whether it has a resource-based economy like Canada, its temperature, and distance between urban centres.
- Greenhouse gas emission targets should be mandatory for developing countries as well as for industrialized countries or all targets should be voluntary.
Previous: Background and Status of the Kyoto Protocol
