Canada argues that as a country highly dependent on exports, and the contribution of energy intensive industries to those exports requires that Canada take on a weaker target than other countries. A comparison of countries with similar contributions to gross domestic product from exports shows no correlation between exports, energy intensity and targets.
Country |
Exports % of GDP1 |
Fossil fuel share of exports2 |
Share of exports energy intensive3 |
Emissions intensity of GDP: tonnes carbon/
$(1990)4 |
Per capita carbon emissions 19905 |
GDP per capita in US$ 19946 |
Population growth Net over last 10 years7 |
Proposed targets green-
house gases8 |
Canada |
30.4 |
10% |
28% |
222.11 |
3.99 |
18,598 |
1.6 |
? |
New Zealand |
23.8 |
3% |
18% |
159.63 |
1.976 |
14,513 |
0.8 |
? |
UK |
21.1 |
6% |
30% |
161.32 |
2.617 |
17,468 |
0.3 |
-10/-20 by 2010 |
Germany |
23 |
2% |
25% |
168.65 |
3.143 |
27,826 |
2.9 |
-25 by 2010 |
Netherlands |
46.4 |
8% |
30% |
161.13 |
2.436 |
21,733 |
0.6 |
-10 by 2010 |
Denmark |
30.4 |
4% |
18% |
109.88 |
2.664 |
19,106 |
0.4 |
-25% by 2010 |
Austria |
22.7 |
2% |
42% |
101.92 |
1.847 |
24,670 |
0.6 |
-25% by 2010 |
Finland |
30.4 |
3% |
69% |
109.04 |
2.747 |
19,106 |
0.4 |
0% |
Norway |
30.9 |
49% |
69% |
83.97 |
2.384 |
23,984 |
0.5 |
? |
Sweden |
31.1 |
3% |
31% |
72.71 |
1.515 |
22,389 |
0.5 |
+5 by 2010 |
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1. OECD Economic Surveys Canada 1996
2. Differentation criteria, Natural Resources Canada. Estimates from bar charts
3. ibid
4. Compilation of national communications, FCCC Secretariat
5. Compliation of national communications, FCCC Secretariat
6. OECD Economic Surveys Canada 1996
7. ibid
8. European Union targets
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