Unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territories [OTTAWA], 11 June 2021 :
Catherine Abreu, Executive Director of Climate Action network Canada, said the following in response to the Canadian government’s announcement that any new or expanded thermal coal projects will be deemed to go against the public interest because of the severity of ecological impacts and the climate imperative to get rid of coal:
“This is the right move for the Minister to make – coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel and must be phased out first. With this move, Canada solidifies its position as a leader on coal phase-out in international fora like the G7 and Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA).
“Coal-fired power is already on its way out in Canada. Importantly, this means Canada’s role as a significant exporter of thermal coal will diminish. It was disconcerting for the co-chair of the PPCA to be contemplating a major expansion of the Coalspur mine in 2021, and it is good to see that is now off the table. We need to see a similar alignment of public rhetoric, domestic implementation, and international action on a host of other Canadian climate commitments.
“The big question is what this means for other fossil fuels. Canada’s largest and fastest growing source of emissions today is oil and gas production and the International Energy Agency has told the world to get cracking on oil and gas phase-out. We start toward a coal-free Canada today; now we must continue the work and ensure that this is grounded within a Just Transition away from all fossil fuels.”
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For media inquiries:
Vicky Coo, communications lead, Climate Action Network
vickycoo@climateactionnetwork.ca, 613-203-3272
Canada’s farthest-reaching network of organizations working on climate change and energy issues, Climate Action Network-Réseau Action Climat is a coalition of more than 130 organizations operating from coast to coast to coast. Our membership brings environmental groups together with trade unions, First Nations, social justice, development, health and youth organizations, faith groups and local, grassroots initiatives.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Blair Gable