New York, 20 September 2024:
Policy experts from Climate Action Network Canada are attending Climate Week in New York, where the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is ongoing and the Summit of the Future will take place from September 22-23.
Caroline Brouillette (Executive Director), Leïla Cantave (Quebec Lead), and Soomin Han (Climate Finance Policy Analyst) will be in New York until September 24. They will be available for media interviews on Canada’s and Quebec’s roles in advancing international cooperation on climate action, the UNGA proceedings, climate finance negotiations, and for comment on Prime Minister Trudeau’s remarks at the Summit of the Future.
“Almost halfway through this critical decade, we’re at a critical turning point,” said Caroline Brouillette. “Canadians are suffering from more severe heat waves, fires and floods caused by the burning of fossil fuels, yet oil and gas companies’ pollution is still rising unchecked. We need to move faster on solutions to protect our health, economy, and planet from climate change, yet some political parties are only proposing tearing away our existing policies. As Canada prepares to host the G7 next year and to submit its national climate commitments for 2035, we have an opportunity for leadership – which requires ramping up efforts to take on our fair share of the global climate fight, both by cutting emissions at home and providing international finance.
“Across Canada and around the world, people are taking to the streets to demand better from our leaders. The Summit of the Future is Prime Minister Trudeau’s chance to show he’s listening, and is willing to fight for our future.”
Today, hundreds of actions are happening around the world to demand that wealthy and high-polluting countries pay up as part of a Global Week of Action for Climate Finance and a Fossil-Free Future. The demonstrations come ahead of COP29 this November in Azerbaijan, where a new deal for international climate finance will be negotiated.
In Canada, climate strikes are taking place in over a dozen cities this weekend–demanding an end to fossil fuel expansion, accountability for big polluters, and a Just Transition–while a Quebec day of action, Pour la suite du monde, is planned for September 27. On October 1, National Seniors’ Day, seniors are mobilizing in more than 70 cities across Canada to bring attention to the climate emergency and demand action.
-30-
Canada’s farthest-reaching network of organizations working on climate and energy issues, Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada is a coalition of 160 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.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Vicky Coo, Communications Manager
comms@climateactionnetwork.ca