HALIFAX - Some Eastern provinces and New England states are nowhere near meeting greenhouse gas emissions targets, according to new reports that say some are failing to curb pollutants that fuel climate change.
Several environmental groups issued report cards Wednesday that outlined only meagre progress in combating emissions that have been rising steadily since the goals were agreed to by premiers and governors in 2001.
"No province or state in the region is on track to meeting the first 2010 target," Brendan Haley of the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax said at the release of the group's annual report.
"This past year of climate change policy has not shown any substantial, concrete or firm policy implementation by the government. Indeed in many areas, we're starting to lag behind even further."
Some provinces, like New Brunswick, made progress in developing greenhouse gas emission plans and forcing the provincial utility to supply a certain percentage of its electricity from renewable resources by a certain date.
But the province still received a failing grade in the transportation sector and a C-in the electricity sector - the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
In Nova Scotia, the centre said the government has improved public awareness about environmental issues, but has stepped backward with plans to add more cars and trucks to the roads by twinning major highways.
"It's a very ill-advised plan," said Scott Gillard of the centre. "It represents the disconnect between government's supposed commitment to action on climate change and the actual course they are charting."
Gillard, who said 12 per cent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions come from private vehicles, urged the province to invest more in rail and bus systems, while steering clear of plans to turn the region into an Atlantic gateway for increased port and highway traffic.
Energy Minister Richard Hurlburt rebuffed the criticism, saying the province committed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and create a climate change action plan by spring.
"I'm very pleased with the direction this province is going with greenhouse gases," he said. "I think our targets are very aggressive."
New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, and cut them by 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.
Haley said the 2020 goals appear unattainable.
The centre said the provinces should be looking to New England states that have introduced cap-and-trade emissions regulations. Seven of the states have introduced caps on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
Environment Minister Mark Parent said Nova Scotia hasn't yet taken a position on a cap-and-trade system, but supports the New England states' climate change plan, which includes such a system.
"It would be premature for me to say right now, but we're moving in co-operation with the New England states and the Eastern provinces and we've certainly been in lockstep with them," he said.
Another report by U.S. and Eastern Canadian environmental groups said several states are making progress in energy efficiency, while Quebec stands to greatly reduce emissions with the first carbon tax in North America.
"While progress has been made throughout the region...none has made enough progress," the 26-page Climate Change Action Report Card grimly states. "The necessary policies are not in place, and global warming emissions are far from under control."
The document states that since the voluntary agreement was made between the provinces and states, greenhouse gas emissions have actually risen.
"Our political leaders have yet to recognize the urgency of climate change and the need to move swiftly."
