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About KyotoSmart

The KyotoSmart Network was officially launched in 2003 in response to the Government of Canada's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol the previous December. This decision formally committed Canada to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to an average of six per cent below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.

The network believed that Canada's Kyoto commitment should be met in an intelligent manner that focused on the opportunities for innovation and corresponding job growth, and built on the success of industries that have already reduced their emissions through energy conservation, technological innovation and converting to more climate-friendly sources of energy. Its members viewed efforts to reach Canada's Kyoto target as an exciting opportunity for Canada to become a leader in developing technological innovations for the energy and transportation sectors, and that doing so would enable Canada to maintain its strong economic growth while reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

Specifically, participants in the KyotoSmart network agreed to support and strive to realize the following objectives:

• ensure that the implementation of Canada's Kyoto commitments maximizes reduction opportunities at home, thereby providing all Canadians with the environmental, technological and health benefits associated with emission reductions;

• promote Canada's transition to the emerging new global, carbon-constrained economy through the advancement of a Canadian emissions trading system that rewards Canadian innovation, supports the competitiveness of Canadian industry and provides incentives for low-emission technologies;

• achieve recognition of early action for emission reductions, or at the very least do not put those sectors that have taken on early actions at a disadvantage; and

• ensure fairness in the implementation of Canada's climate change plan, so that all regions, workers, communities and economic sectors equitably share responsibility and economic opportunities.

Despite the urging and support offered by organizations and networks like KyotoSmart, and various initiatives by successive Canadian governments, Canada failed to adopt the necessary policies and measures that would enable it to reach its Kyoto Protocol target and is now looking to meet new goals by 2020.

Recognizing the growing gap between its original mandate and the current status of Canada's federal climate policy, the KyotoSmart Network disbanded in 2008. Its members continue to work toward climate change solutions within the continuously evolving context of climate policy in Canada and North America.