Numbers on greenhouse gas emissions as ministers talk carbon policy

OTTAWA – The country’s environment ministers met Friday to work on a national carbon-cutting strategy. Here are some figures on the issue.

— Canada produces about 1.6 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gases, is among the top 10 emitters on an absolute basis and is in the top three when it comes to per-capita emissions.

— In absolute terms, Canadian emissions in 2013 ranged from 267 megatonnes in Alberta to 1.8 megatonnes in P.E.I.

— In 2012, Canada emitted about 20.6 tonnes per capita. The global average was 6.2 tonnes.

— In per-capita terms, Saskatchewan and Alberta are among the developed world’s largest emitters at 68 tonnes and 67 tonnes respectively.

— A United Nations group estimates that to hold the global temperature rise to two degrees C by 2050, the global emissions must drop to 1.7 tonnes per capita.

Quote: “These facts define tomorrow’s starting point. What they should not do is lessen ministers’ resolve to tackle the issue of GHG emissions.” — Paul Boothe, director of the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management.