The Province of Manitoba

Situated near the center of the North American landmass, Manitoba has an extreme continental climate, with monthly average temperatures ranging from -20°C to 25°C over a typical year. Outside the capital, Winnipeg, the region is sparsely populated, but there is activity in mining and hydro power.

The Province’s economy depends on agriculture, manufacturing and transport, which are predominantly based in the south. Northern Manitoba is a haven for subarctic wildlife: Churchill, on the Hudson Bay, is a center for polar bear and beluga whale eco-tourism. The geography of the region means that it was one of the world’s first to experience the many and varied effects of climate change.

In 2008 Manitoba became the first North American region to make a legal commitment to reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2012. Manitoba seeks to exploit the growth potential of renewable energy and the carbon sink capacity of its large forests. 

The province is on track to achieve its 2012 target and has set further targets. It plans to grow its renewable energy sector to the point where it can export power, while stabilizing its emissions. Transportation and farming together account for about 60% of the province’s carbon emissions, and the province is targeting reductions in these sectors also.

Manitoba’s Sustainable Development Initiatives Fund (SDIF) was established in the 1990s to support regional projects that develop innovative ways to further assist the sustainability of the provincial economy. This includes climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as health and social sustainability. Manitoba has since been recognized as a world leader in taking action on climate change and preparing for a greener future.

Alongside the policies outlined below, Manitoba is supporting leading research in Hydrogen fuel technology, and Winnipeg’s New Flyer Industries is the leading manufacturer of hybrid and alternative fuel buses in Canada and the United States. A government-funded Hydrogen Centre of Expertise addresses long-term approaches for sustainable energy, particularly research and commercialization of clean hydrogen technology.

Energy efficiency

Manitoba is recognized as a national leader in energy efficiency and its policies are now being emulated elsewhere.

Manitoba Hydro’s energy efficiency Power Smart program helped lower demand by over 50 gigawatts in a single year (2003-2004) and continues to provide financing support for energy efficiency improvements. Green buildings and power smart technology are revitalizing Winnipeg with some of the most efficient buildings in the world. 

The government's Green Building Policy requires a minimum of LEED® Silver standard in new residential, commercial and institutional projects funded by the Government.

Renewable energy

The province satisfies its own energy needs with about 96% of its energy coming from hydroelectric installations. It has ambitions to grow its renewable capacity substantially and to export its clean energy to the surrounding states and provinces.

While development of hydro power continues, it has also been noted that Manitoba has world-leading potential for wind power generation. The Province will develop over 1,000 megawatts of wind power in the province over the next decade. At times of low demand, energy from these turbines will be used to pump water into hydro reservoirs.

The province is also developing its solar power capacity and it has become a world leader in geothermal energy generation.

Clean transport

A significant part of the province’s carbon emissions comes from road transport. These emissions are being addressed through a system of financial incentives such as a hybrid electric vehicle rebate. Investments are also being made into public transport and cycling infrastructure.

Manitoba's biofuels mandate and tax incentives are resulting in a growth from 10 million to 130 million liters of ethanol production as well as new community based biodiesel plants.

Manitoba is the bus manufacturing capital of Canada and is building innovative fuel systems into its vehicles. Hydrogen- and biodiesel-fuelled buses made in Winnipeg now serve cities across Canada.

Sustainable land use

The Manitoba government has drawn up a long-term plan for the sustainable development of the north of the province in the Northern Development Strategy. This plan includes massive investment in renewable energy and transport infrastructure, a fund for seed capital in development projects and a framework to promote sustainability.

The Covering New Ground program provides funding to Manitoba producer groups and provincial commodity organizations to carry out sustainable agriculture demonstration or technology transfer projects throughout the province.

Manitoba has introduced nutrient limits on fertilizer applications and is bringing in new support programs for sustainable on-farm practices.

Waste management

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Support Program (WRARS) is a far reaching strategy to encourage greater recycling. It has reduced the amount of domestic waste going to landfill since its inception, and new best practice models have drastically cut construction and demolition waste. In addition, Manitoba's E-waste Roundup Program collected over 4 million kilograms of old electronics for responsible recycling up to 2011.

Additionally, a compulsory landfill biogas capture program reduces the amount of methane released into the atmosphere, and allows the gas to be used to generate electricity. 

International collaboration

The Province collaborates closely with British Columbia and Ontario on climate change initiatives.

It is a member of the Western Climate Initiative which aims to introduce a regional cap and trade program to reduce carbon emissions 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. It also signed the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord, a further commitment to introducing a multi-region cap and trade scheme.