WESTERN REGIONAL EMISSIONS-TRADING

While the EU works at getting the system right, western US state and Canadian provincial leaders have set out to form their own trading system. The same problems will surely present themselves but with unique western wrinkles, producing new innovations. Meanwhile, the big economies – the US, China and India – watch and learn. But how long can the rest of the world wait for them to act?

Western North America group works on carbon goals
August 2, 2007 (Reuters via Yahoo News)

WHO
6 western U.S. states & 2 western Canadian provinces of the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative (WCI), 2 western states and 2 western provinces that are potential members; British Columbia Environment Minister Barry Penner, hosting;

Two forward-thinking regional groups are laying the groundwork for the national system that is inevitably coming. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
The WCI members met to discuss/iron out differences in the regional emissions trading scheme they are setting up.

WHEN
Meeting August 2-4.
Announcement of goals for 2020 and 2050 later in August.
WHERE
Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
WCI Members: California, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah; Manitoba and British Columbia.
Observer: Ontario

Where present leaders see only complications for the fossil fuels industries, Governors Schwarzenegger, Richardson, et. al., see opportunity.


WHY
1st difference: How emissions are calculated. CA Governor Schwarzenegger’s plan has drawn objections.
Also: Setting regional emissions goals for 2020 and 2050.
The WCI is an attempt to take action against climate change because both Canadian and US federal governments have not.

QUOTES
“Penner said that among governments attending the meeting as observers is the central Canadian province of Ontario, which is the country's most populous and industrialized province.”