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Home / 7.6 Provincial Summary: Saskatchewan

7.6 Provincial Summary: Saskatchewan

Reality Check: The State of Climate Progress in Canada


Emissions profile

In 2009, Saskatchewan emitted 73.1 Mt CO2e, a 69% increase since 1990.113 A breakdown of 2009 emission by source is provided in Figure 29.

Economy-wide measures

The major tool under development to address GHG emissions is The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act.cc This act has received Royal Assent but has yet to be enacted as law. Under the act, regulated emittersdd are required to reduce emissions by 2% per year over the baseline level from 2010 to 2019 in order to achieve a net reduction of 20% below baseline levels by 2020.114 There will be provisions for establishment of a carbon compliance price schedule; offsets and ‘performance credits’ earned when actual emissions are less than prescribed levels; and credit for early action. The act proposes the creation of a technology fund that will collect carbon compliance payments from large emitters to invest in low-emitting technologies and processes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and a Climate Change Foundation that promotes research and development of low-carbon technologies, promotes adaptation and fosters public education and awareness.115

CCS is seen as an important technical innovation to support GHG emission reductions. The Government of Saskatchewan approved construction of a CCS project at Boundary Dam that is expected to commence operation in 2014 and capture 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually.116 The Weyburn-Midale project is the largest CCS demonstration site in the world. Since 2002, it has stored approximately 20 million tonnes of CO2.117 (See Chapter 3).

Emission reductions measures by source

The stationary energy and fugitive sources of GHG emissions in the province each increased by almost 10 Mt since 1990.ee While the economy-wide efforts outlined above will address these sources, more focused measures are also in place.

Existing residential emissions reduction programs include financial assistance for energy efficient retrofits (the Saskatchewan Home Energy Improvement Program (SHEIP) for Low and Moderate-Income Homeowners), an Energy Efficient Rebate for New Homes, a geothermal and self-generated renewable power loan program, and provincial sales tax exemptions on specified energy efficient appliances.118

GHG emission reductions in the commercial and institutional sectors are supported by several programs. This includes funding for solar water heating systems (Solar Heating Initiative for Today [SHIFT]) and rebates for geothermal system installations.119 Through the Commercial Boiler Program, Saskatchewan also supports the use of high-efficiency natural gas hydronic space-heating systems in commercial new construction and retrofit applications.120

Saskatchewan has the 2nd highest agricultural emissions in Canada.121 The Saskatchewan Biofuels Investments Opportunity Program (SaskBIO), a four year program which ended on March 31, 2012, encouraged farmers and communities to participate in biofuels production to lower transportation emissions.122 At 14.2 Mt CO2e, transportation emissions represent 20% of Saskatchewan’s emissions.123 The province has implemented an Idle Free Zone programs and offers rebates to owners of hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles.124

The Red Lily Wind Project is one of Saskatchewan’s renewable energy measures. Wind power from the project is expected to contribute 8.5% to SaskPower’s total generating capacity and wind power expansion will reduce the emissions by approximately 225,000 tonnes per year.125

Provincial evaluation of emissions reduction measures

The province’s State of the Environment Annual Report includes a brief review of climate change mitigation progress.

An Environmental Code to be completed in 2012 sets out requirements to be followed by those conducting activities regulated by The Environmental Management and Protection Act, (2010), The Forest Resources Management Act, and The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act. These three acts and the recently revised Environmental Assessment Act are the initial building blocks for Saskatchewan’s regulatory framework for environmental management and protection.126 The Code will set out expectations for proponents and will make them accountable for achieving results set out in the legislation.

The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act requires regulated emitters to obtain third party verification of their baseline emissions and the first year of their reported emissions.127

Inter-jurisdictional measures

An Agreement in Principle on Efforts to Address Climate Change between the federal government and Saskatchewan was signed in May 2009 which would help to avoid any regulatory overlap.128

Saskatchewan has also taken on international partnerships. A Memorandum of Understanding between the province and the State of Victoria, Australia was signed to encourage collaboration and sharing of information on the research and development of new and emerging technologies related to climate change.129 Also, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Saskatchewan and Montana in 2009 for the construction of CCS plant in Saskatchewan, a CO2 storage facility in Montana, and a pipeline for transporting CO2 between the projects.130

 

[cc] Information included in this appendix is sourced from Government of Saskatchewan 2007 unless otherwise indicated.

[dd] Those with an emissions threshold of 50,000 tonnes of CO2e in any year

[ee] The largest percent change was in the industrial processes sector at 438%, but the absolute increase was only 1.3 Mt.

[111] Government of Saskatchewan 2011b

[112] Environment Canada 2011b

[113] Environment Canada 2011b

[114] Government of Saskatchewan 2009a

[115] Government of Saskatchewan 2009b

[116] SaskPower NDa

[117] SaskPower NDb

[118] Saskatchewan Housing Corporation ND; Government of Saskatchewan NDa; SaskEnergy NDa

[119] Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment ND; Government of Saskatchewan 2009b

[120] SaskEnergy NDb

[121] Environment Canada 2011b

[122] Government of Saskatchewan NDb

[123] Environment Canada 2011b

[124] Government of Saskatchewan NDc

[125] Government of Saskatchewan 2011a

[126] Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment 2012

[127] Government of Saskatchewan 2009b

[128] Government of Saskatchewan 2010b

[129] Government of Saskatchewan NDd

[130] Government of Saskatchewan 2009a