Canada: The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) has congratulated the Ontario government for releasing its Climate Action Plan. The five-year plan was released on 8 June 2016. A key feature of the plan includes supporting a cap-and-trade carbon pricing scheme.

CAC singled out that the plan would enable emissions-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) industries, like cement, to reduce their own reliance on coal. The plan has set aside US$30 - $45m to help EITE industries across Ontario move away from coal and develop the necessary supply chains so they can better utilise alternative low carbon fuels. Other aspects of the plan the CAC liked included the plan’s decision to establish a service standard for decisions on alternative fuel applications and the collaborative nature of the plan’s consultation.

"Today, I'm happy with approaches that are laid out in the climate action plan which will help industries, like cement, reduce their greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions while remaining globally competitive. We look forward to continuing to work with the Ontario government on the next steps to ensure that Ontario achieves its GHG reduction targets," said Michael McSweeney, president and CEO, CAC.