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For release: December 11, 2008

Statement by Canadian Environmental Organizations at the U.N. Climate Talks in Poznan

“Minister of Environment Jim Prentice’s two speeches today at the UN climate talks in Poznan seemed to signal a change in tone, but were disappointing in their lack of any commitment to strengthen Canada’s action on global warming. Over the past week, Canada has taken a shameful role here. Our country has been singled out as a spoiler. And the Minister’s speeches today did not contain any signal that Canada will do the right thing and commit to the science-based emission targets and scaled-up financing that the world needs to avert dangerous climate change.

Canada must do its fair share. We need and expect more from our government at a time when scientists’ warnings are stark and the world is already struggling with the impacts of global warming. The Minister spoke of urgency and the need to be informed by the best science. We noted with interest that he did not mention Canada’s current emissions target for 2020, which falls far short of scientific recommendations. 

The Minister acknowledged the Canadian youth that are in Poznan, but he ignored their call for real action. Minister Prentice is a new and influential cabinet Minister who has a clear opportunity to change Canada’s position. He has a day and a half left in Poznan to signal unequivocally that Canada will quickly strengthen its emission reduction targets and policies.

The context of determined action at provincial and municipal levels provides further reason for Minister Prentice to strengthen Canada's response to the climate crisis. This would certainly be well received by Canadians. The government should, for example, be inspired by the vision expressed today in Poznan by Québec Environment Minister Line Beauchamp, who acknowledged the importance of keeping global warming as far below 2°C as possible, as called for by leading scientists.”

Statement issued by:

Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation
Matthew Bramley, Pembina Institute
Graham Saul, Climate Action Network
Steven Guilbeault, Équiterre
David Martin, Greenpeace Canada

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