Greenhouse Gas Emitters Exposed

Canadians can rank greenhouse gas-emitting facilities by province, company, facility and postal code
TORONTO, Oct. 11 /CNW/ – As the federal government rolls out its clean air and climate change package, Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association have released the most comprehensive publicly accessible online ranking and tracking of large industrial greenhouse gas emitters across Canada. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, contribute to global climate change.

The database, available on the PollutionWatch web site
(www.PollutionWatch.org), shows that 321 facilities across Canada emitted
278,890,313 tonnes (CO2 equivalent) of greenhouse gases, more than one-third
(37%) of the country’s total emissions. That’s more than the total greenhouse
gas emissions from cars, trucks, planes and trains combined. The
PollutionWatch web site uses greenhouse gas emissions data provided by
industry to the federal government. The data, which cover emissions for 2004,
were reported by individual facilities in June 2005.
“For the first time, Canadians now have a comprehensive picture of which
facilities are the biggest greenhouse gas polluters in the country,” said
Aaron Freeman, Policy and Campaigns Director, Environmental Defence. “It is
these companies that will have to reduce the largest quantity of greenhouse
gas emissions to ensure Canada meets our international obligations under the
Kyoto Protocol.”
The PollutionWatch analysis found that Alberta leads the provinces in
total greenhouse gas emissions reported by facilities with 109,503,697 tonnes
CO2 equivalent, followed by Ontario (77,273,825 tonnes CO2 equivalent), and
Quebec (22,904,613 tonnes CO2 equivalent).
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For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence, (416) 323-9521 ext. 232; (647)
280-9521 (cell); Hugh Benevides, Canadian Environmental Law Association, (416)
960-2284 ext. 218