Canadian steel industry, government work to reduce greenhouse emissions

The governments of Canada and Ontario and the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Jan. 10, to work together to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The agreement sets out short-term and longer-term plans. The steel industry commits to doing its share to help Canada meet its climate change commitments, provided this does not undermine the competitiveness of the industry or result in an unfair burden. The government of Canada will design emissions-reduction targets that reflect this commitment. It also will join forces with the industry by committing $300,000 to the CO2 Breakthrough Programme, an international research effort organized by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) to develop new low-emissions technologies that minimize, eliminate, or capture carbon emissions.

The government of Ontario also signed the MOU, which also sets out a work program that includes the examination of near-term opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. The parties will follow up on an energy benchmarking study under Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation.