Quebec hatches plan to combat climate change

Quebec plans to charge a royalty on petroleum products in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The $200-million-a-year generated by this tax will go into a “green fund” to fight climate change.

This is among 24 measures announced last week as part of a plan, Quebec and Climate Change – A Challenge for the Future.

The plan also wants to reduce energy consumption in public buildings and calls for higher emissions standards for passenger vehicles

The goal is to reduce greenhouse gases in Quebec by 10 million tonnes a year by 2012 – and nearly meet its target for cuts under the Kyoto Protocol.

But Quebec needs $328-million from Ottawa get its plan into action.

The Canadian Petroleum Products institute said fuel firms will end up passing on the extra cost at the pump.

Premier Jean Charest said industry and businesses should see the tax and other changes required as their contribution to a cleaner environment.

“If they don’t see it that way, I’d regret that. I think they’d be totally wrong. They’re going to be on the wrong side of this issue,” Charest said.