— Federal Environment minister Rona Ambrose indicated strong interest in the European Union's experiment in international emissions trading, a program which she has in the past described as a failure. Her officials say there are plans for a Canada-EU workshop on the topic as early as next month.
— She didn't rule out use of the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism, or CDM, under which industrial countries can earn emissions credits by financing clean technology projects in developing countries. She said Canada would have to assess its domestic situation before making a decision.
In the past she has been highly critical of the CDM, suggesting it is little more than a recipe for corruption and wasted money.
— Ambrose did not protest the fact that big developing countries like Brazil, China and India still lack emissions-cutting targets. Like the United States, she has in the past complained repeatedly about the lack of quantitative commitments by developing countries, portraying this as a deep flaw in the treaty.
Asked about the issue at the close of the conference, she said the treaty is evolving, and "every step to show the protocol's a success lays the foundation for opportunities for other countries to consider joining."
— Asked whether she was changing her mind about Kyoto, Ambrose made an ambiguous reply, saying she was "learning."
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