The Canadian government announced this week that it would delay the release of climate regulations until there is a firm agreement on a global approach and clarity on how the United States intends to regulate emissions – which could take until late 2010.

Canadian press reports quoted Environment Minister Jim Prentice as saying that it is important that Canada harmonize its “continental” approach with whatever final agreement emerges from the Copenhagen climate change conference next month.

Prentice had promised earlier this year to table Canada’s proposed regulations prior to Copenhagen.

The government has said Canada will reduce its greenhouse gas emission by 20 percent from 2006 levels by 2020. That target has been criticized as insufficient by environmentalists and some European countries, especially since it does not account for Canada’s failure to reduce emissions since signing the Kyoto protocol.