Canada to invest in green projects abroad to meet Kyoto obligations*
By Fiona Harvey in London

Canada's government said it would fulfil its obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto protocol on climate change by investing in projects abroad that would reduce emissions, phasing out coal-fired power plants, and quadrupling its target for wind energy.

The landmark agreement with the automotive industry to cut vehicle emissions through fuel efficiency measures, announced last week, will also form a key part of the country's strategy.

Setting out its full plan for honouring the Kyoto protocol yesterday, the Canadian government admitted that it would have to purchase emissions "credits" from developing nations, by investing in such projects as renewable energy that poorer countries would otherwise be unable to afford. The protocol allows such offsetting as a way of reducing emissions worldwide.

Ottawa will also encourage work on technologies that redttc^ emissions, such as the capture and storage of carbon dioxide and wind power, and "clean coal" tech-nology. It also said it would institute a green procurement policy for the public sector, and would urge consumers to lower their emissions by using less energy.

Canada could soon be facing a general election if the minority Liberal government is brought down by a no-confidence motion in parliament. This could bring to power the Conservatives, who oppose the Kyoto treaty.
The United Nations-bro-kered Kyoto protocol came into force on February 16, after Russia finally ratified the treaty late last year.

Kyoto demands that developed countries cut their greenhouse gas emissions by varying amounts relative to 1990 levels by 2012. The US and Australia, alone among developed nations, have rejected the treaty.

Last week, carmakers operating in Canada agreed to reduce their vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions by about 6 per cent by 2010. Though the deal was voluntary, the government warned that it would monitor progress and remained "ready with legislative and regulatory action as