Quebec sets bold new greenhouse gas reduction targets

Quebec's environment minister has announcedambitious new greenhouse gas reduction targets for the province.

• How Canada's provinces are tackling greenhouse gas emissions
• New greenhouse gas targets set by eastern premiers, governors
• Canadian greenhouse gas emissions from electricity cut by 22% in 5 years

David Heurtel told a news conference in Quebec City he wantsto cut greenhouse gas emissions to 37.5 per cent below1990 levels by 2030.

"We no longer have a choice," he said."We have to move forward."

He said transportation and construction are two key areas where greenhouse-gas reductions are required.

"Changing our habits is sometimes beneficial,'' he said at a news conference.

"Is it going to be hard work? Yes. But what's important to point out is there are going to be also a lot of greatopportunitieslinked to achieving that target economic, social. It's going to allow us to develop a new economy for the21stcentury."

Heurtelsaid the37.5 per cent target would be the highestin Canada, with Ontario following suit at 37 per cent.

The environment minister calledon the federal government to invest morein green technology and to recognize the urgency in acting to fight climate change.

The 37.5-per-cent targetwas recommended by the province'sconsultation committee on climate change, which is co-led by StevenGuilbaultof the environmental groupEquiterre.

The committeesuggested two other possible targets cutting emissions by either 35 or 40 per cent of 1990 levels by 2030.

The Quebec government will present the 37.5 per cent targetin December at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.