MANITOBA, CANADA --- Manitoba became the first province in Canada to mandate the use of biodiesel, a result of new legislation that took effect over the weekend. All diesel fuel sold in the province must now contain an average of 2 percent biodiesel, CBC News reported. 

The policy change is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 56,000 tons a year -- the equivalent of taking 11,000 cars off the road, said Premier Greg Selinger.  

"This mandate is one of the building blocks of our clean energy plan, an important climate-change initiative that will see the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba," Selinger said.