Climate Change Developments: Canada's Withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol and CCS Commitments

There are two significant developments in Canada's regulatory climate change landscape. First, Canada became the first country to formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol (Protocol). The Protocol, which was originally ratified by Canada in 2002, came into force in 2005 and required Canada to reduce certain greenhouse gas emissions 6% below 1990 levels by 2012. In December 2011, Canada's Environment Minister, Peter Kent, attended Negotiations that were designed to create a second commitment period for the Protocol in Durban, South Africa. Upon Kent's return from Durban, he announced Canada's decision to forgo its commitments pursuant to the Protocol for a second commitment period, stating that the Protocol does not represent “the path forward” in addressing climate change. “Canada to withdraw from Kyoto Protocol,” BBC News, Dec. 13, 2011. Published in the Canada – Oil & Gas section of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation's Mineral Law Newsletter, Volume 29, Number 1, 2012.