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Toronto, ON Timed to coincide with the release of Ontarios Climate Change Discussion Paper, today Environmental Defence released a primer that shows Ontarios climate change targets are within reach and sets forth a potential road map for meeting them.

With the release of Ontarios Climate Change Discussion Paper, its clear that the government recognizes not only the need for urgent climate action, but that doing so can help our economy, says Tim Gray, Executive Director of Environmental Defence.

As our primer shows, Ontario has several tools at its disposal that can reduce carbon pollution and stimulate our economy. Together, these tools can put us on track to meet, even beat, our climate change targets, Gray says.

The primer, Ontarios Climate Challenge: Getting back on track. illustrates that without new policies, Ontario will miss its 2020 carbon pollution target by 20 megatonnes. Based on previously completed studies, the primer illustrates that, using a multifaceted approach, Ontario could cut its carbon emissions by 22 megatonnes.

Theres no silver bullet, but there are opportunities across our economy where we can cut carbon pollution while creating jobs and taking a lead in the global clean economy, Gray says.

The primer points to a variety of initiatives including pricing carbon emissions in the transportation and industrial sectors, increasing our commitment to natural gas conservation, reducing our reliance on natural gas-fired electricity, and investing in other opportunities in the agricultural sector and in waste management.

With the closure of the coal plants, the introduction of the Green Energy Act, and the creation of the Greenbelt, Ontario has demonstrated past leadership on climate change, and it has reaped the rewards: new jobs, cleaner air, and global leadership. Our primer shows how the province can move to the front of the pack once more, Gray says.

View the primer here .

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca ): Environmental Defence is Canadas most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.

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For more information or media requests, please contact: Naomi Carniol, Environmental Defence, 416-570-2878 (cell);

ncarniol@environmentaldefence.ca