Backgrounder

Differentation mythmaking busted

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









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