The Yukon government is engaging with the mining industry, First Nations governments, environmental groups and the public on the development of intensity-based emissions targets for the mining sector.

The government is also engaging with large industrial facilities subject to the federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) on the development of carbon rebate options.

Under Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy, the government vowed to establishing intensity-based mining targets by the end of 2022.

Greenhouse gas emissions from mining can vary considerably from year to year, making it difficult to set an absolute cap, the government said Wednesday.

Intensity-based targets will set desired levels of greenhouse gas emissions per mining activity or per unit of material produced. This will encourage mines to look for innovative ways to reduce their emissions.

The government is proposing a target for the mining sector to reduce 45 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production by 2035.

This aligns with a territory-wide greenhouse gas target of 45 per cent reduction outside the mining sector by 2030.

As well, the government will develop a rebate for mining operators that are subject to the federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS).

The government is engaging with large mine operators to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and identify methods for returning carbon pricing revenues.

Meetings will be held with affected stakeholders and parties throughout the end of the summer and into early fall.

“It is important that all sectors contribute to our shared work of reducing emissions and fighting climate change,” said Premier Sandy Silver.

“These targets will help the mining sector find innovative solutions to reduce their impact on our environment and better protect the territory for future generations of Yukoners.”

A discussion document that describes the government’s proposed approach for both its mining intensity and OBPS rebate frameworks can be found online at https://yukon.ca/engagements.

The deadline for submitting feedback is Oct. 3.

“In Our Clean Future, the Government of Yukon committed to reducing the territory’s carbon emissions and everyone must do their part, including the mining sector,” said Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker.

“Over the next years, the Yukon’s mining sector will play a critical role in Canada’s transition to a green economy by providing critical minerals that are essential for the development of clean energy.

“I look forward to working closely with the mining industry, First Nation governments and environmental groups to develop the best approach for setting intensity-based emissions targets in the Yukon.”

The government established the Yukon Government Carbon Price Rebate Act and regulations in the spring 2019.

The intent was to eventually create a mechanism to provide rebates to OBPS-covered facilities to help lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Establishing a new regulation to distribute OBPS proceeds contributes to this objective.

Territorial carbon pricing rebates were designed to uphold the government’s commitment that eligible rebate groups receive proportionally more money, on average, in rebates than they pay in carbon levies.

To date, all carbon pricing revenues continue to be returned to Yukoners.

Under Canada’s carbon pricing model, the OBPS applies to large industrial facilities that emit 50,000 tonnes or more of carbon emissions annually.

Facilities with annual carbon emissions between 10,000 tonnes and 50,000 tonnes can opt into the OBPS on a voluntary basis.