1988	Toronto Conference - The Changing Atmosphere. At the invitation of the Government of Canada, over 300 world experts and high level policy makers from 46 countries assembled to consider the threats posed by the changing global atmosphere and how they might be addressed. This was the turning point for world action where a target for CO2 reduction was put forth - 20% of 1988 levels by the year 2005; and the call for governments to work urgently towards an action plan for the protection of the atmosphere which should include an international framework convention, standard setting agreements and national legislation.
1992	Canada began preparation of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with the intent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by the year 2000 or 2005.
1995	The National Action Program on Climate Change was developed and agreed to by all federal and provincial/territorial energy and environment ministers. It directs Canada's efforts towards meeting its national commitment to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2000.
1997	In December of 1997, Canada, along with ministers and other high level officials from a total of 160 countries, met in Kyoto, Japan at COP3 and agreed to the Kyoto Protocol.
1998	In April, Canada signed the agreementand declared that it would develop a process to meet its Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 6% below 1990 levels. This would require a 25% drop in emissions from "business as usual" projections (chart of emissions and targets). Canada approaches this process by setting up 16 issue tables on a sect oral basis. The issue tables are required to produce Foundation Papers (current status of the sector) and Options Papers (recommendations to reach the Kyoto target). The Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) was set up to provide funding to support early actions to reduce greenhouse gas emission and to increase understanding of the impact, cost and benefits of the Protocol implementation, as well as identify implementation options available to Canada. Funding is available to governments, businesses, communities and individual Canadians to address climate change.
2000	In October, 2000, the federal, provincial and territorial governments, except Ontario approved the National Implementation Strategy on Climate Change and the First National Business Plan as steps toward meeting its Kyoto commitments. The Climate Change Secretariat is playing an integral role in developing federal government programs, co-coordinating development of the national strategy and managing the Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF). The CCAF was extended for 3 more years to 2003-2004 at $50 Million to address: -Building for the Future -International Policy and Related Activities -Public Education and Outreach -Science Impacts and Adaptation -Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM)
2001	Since the beginning of 2001, Canada has been working toward its goals and objectives as outlined in the First National Business Plan and the National Implementation Strategy. Along with the provinces, Canada is also preparing for the Joint Ministers Meeting (JMM) being held in the fall of 2001.

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