Canadian Automakers Hail Agreement to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

A landmark agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was formally signed Tuesday by the Canadian government and the country's automobile industry. The signing of the memorandum agreement, previously announced as a follow-up to the Kyoto protocol on climate change, took place at Auto 21, an auto engineering facility at the University of Windsor. The pact is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canada's vehicle fleet by 5.3 megatonnes by the end of 2010.

From Canadian Press

WINDSOR, Ontario — A landmark agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was formally signed Tuesday by the Canadian government and the country’s automobile industry.

The signing of the memorandum agreement, previously announced as a follow-up to the Kyoto protocol on climate change, took place at Auto 21, an auto engineering facility at the University of Windsor. The pact is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s vehicle fleet by 5.3 megatonnes by the end of 2010.

“This is a good deal for the economy, the environment and consumers,” said Natural Resources Minister John Efford.

“Ultimately, it’s a deal that all Canadians will benefit from as the new technologies needed to reach this target come on the market.”

Other signatories were Ford of Canada CEO Joe Hinrichs, chairman of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, and Mercedes-Benz Canada CEO Marcus Breitschwerdt, chairman of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada.

All major companies in Canada’s automobile industry are part of the agreement.

“Canada’s automobile industry has a long history of introducing new technologies that make the vehicles we produce more environmentally friendly and safer,” said Hinrichs.

“As we look to the future, we remain committed to doing our fair share to reduce GHG emissions while contributing to economic growth.”

Among other things, the auto industry has agreed to:

-Offer and promote a wide variety of fuel saving vehicle technologies, including hybrid powertrains, cylinder deactivation technology, advanced diesel technology, alternative fuel compatible vehicles and other emerging technologies.

-Pursue design and engineering improvements without compromising vehicle occupant safety.

-Bring forward technologies that promote fuel savings such as on-board diagnostics and tire pressure monitoring systems.

-Encourage the appropriate use of alternative fuels such as ethanol, clean diesel and bio diesel.

The agreement provides for a joint government-industry committee to monitor annual progress and industry performance against projected interim greenhouse gas reduction goals.

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