proposed passenger automobile and light truck greenhouse gas emission regulations available in english and french 66 pages greenhouse gases ghgs are primary contributors to climate change. the most significant sources of ghg emissions are anthropogenic mostly as a result of combustion of fossil fuels. the emissions of ghgs have been increasing significantly since the industrial revolution and this trend is likely to continue if no action is taken. transportation is one of the largest sources of ghg emissions in canada accounting for about 27 of total ghg emissions in 2007. passenger cars and light trucks account for around 12 of total ghg emissions or 45 of transportation emissions. accordingly taking action to reduce emissions from new cars and light-duty trucks is an essential element of the governments strategy to reduce air pollutant and ghg emissions to protect the environment and the health of canadians. the objective of the proposed passenger automobile and light truck greenhouse gas emission regulations the proposed regulations is to reduce ghg emissions by establishing mandatory ghg emission standards for new vehicles of the 2011 and later model years that are aligned with u.s. standards. the alignment of vehicle emission standards across north america will provide a level playing field that will lead north american manufacturers to produce more advanced vehicles while enhancing their competitiveness in north american and export markets. the proposed regulations would require that vehicle manufacturers and importers meet fleet average ghg emission standards for their passenger automobiles and light trucks for the 2011 and later model years. the proposed regulations also include provisions that establish compliance flexibilities designed to provide appropriate lead-time for technological improvements and a smooth transition to a more stringent regulatory program. these flexibilities include a system for generating banking and trading emission credits that could be used to offset any emission deficits incurred allowances for making ghg-reducing improvements to vehicle air conditioning systems and for innovative technologies to reduce ghg emissions. flexibilities also include incentives for vehicles with dual-fuel capability and advanced technology vehicles and optional standards for companies selling smaller volumes of vehicles. companies would also be required to submit annual reports to maintain records relating to the ghg emission performance of their fleets and to establish compliance with the proposed regulations. notes the government of canada first announced its commitment to take regulatory action to reduce ghg emissions from 2011 and later model year passenger automobiles and light trucks in the notice of intent to develo and implement regulations and other measures to reduce air emissions published in the canada gazette part i on october 21 2006. the noi was notified as g tbt n can 181. on april 4 2009 the government published the notice of intent to develo regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and light-duty trucks in the canada gazette part i notified as g tbt n can 262 to inform interested parties of a new regulatory approach to achieve its policy objective of reducing ghg emissions from new vehicles. the government announced that it was proceeding with the immediate development of regulations under cepa 1999 to limit emissions of ghgs from new passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks to take effect beginning with the 2011 model year.