On Thursday, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced new carbon pollution regulations for school buses, transport trucks, garbage trucks, delivery vans and larger pickups. The Star photo by Vince Talotta.
Carbon pollution regulations will become more stringent in years to come
On Thursday, the Government of Canada said it was delivering on its promise to fight climate change, cut pollution and invest in the health of communities by announcing new carbon pollution regulations.
The new rules for school buses, transport trucks, garbage trucks, delivery vans and larger pick-ups will become increasing stringent in the years to come.
Currently these heavy-duty vehicles account for nine per cent of Canada’s total emissions.
Catherine McKenna, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change says the regulations, which were developed with input from industry stakeholders, will also help grow the Canadian economy.
“The environment and the economy go hand in hand,”said McKenna.
“Large vehicles are an important part of Canada’s economy—we rely on them to get kids to school, move goods to customers, and keep our neighbourhoods clean.” But, she added that they also contribute to smog and carbon pollution.
The new regulations will be phased in, and McKenna says the rules “are making the air cleaner and fighting climate change while helping businesses compete and grow and supporting jobs for middle-class Canadians.”
McKenna says the new carbon pollution regulations will help transportation companies save money by cutting their fuel costs. She adds they will reduce the costs of transporting goods to customers in Canada and abroad.
According to a press release issued by the Canadian government, by 2030, the rules will save new vehicle owners about $1.7 billion in fuel costs annually.
Since 1990, carbon pollution from heavy-duty vehicles has almost tripled and, according to the Canadian government, is comparable to emissions from coal-fired electricity.
These carbon pollution regulations are an important part of Canada’s clean-growth and climate action plan to meet its Paris Agreement commitments. The rules will cut carbon pollution by about 6 million tonnes a year by 2030, the equivalent of 1.5 million passenger vehicles off the road for one year.
According to the press release, the new rules are designed to promote innovation and provide industry with flexibility to choose the most cost-effective compliance options.
Heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers will have the flexibility to choose the clean technologies that will increase their fuel efficiency and reduce emissions and operating costs. Businesses will have more lead time to maximize their investments in new technology and to upgrade existing facilities.
The Canadian transportation industry will benefit from the federal government’s $10.1 billion investment in trade and transportation projects planned over the next decade.
According to the government of Canada, the investment will help build stronger, more efficient transportation corridors to international markets and will enable Canadian businesses to compete.
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