Intensity-Based Targets: Not the Solution to Climate Change

David Suzuki Foundation
February 26, 2007

Canadians are being told that solving the global warming problem requires an intensity- based approach, or intensity-based targets, for our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Emissions intensity targets, even when met, do not ensure that total greenhouse gas emissions actually go down, which is the only solution to climate change. The federal government and all provinces need to, once and for all, abandon the concept of intensity- based GHG targets and get on with the admittedly challenging problem of tackling climate change. This means true emission reductions.