The Canada Energy Regulator’s Energy Future 2021 scenarios are setting Canada up for climate failure, say civil society groups. The report, released today, includes scenarios for energy supply and demand under “Current Policies” and under “Evolving Policies” – but neither is aligned with Canada’s climate obligations, including its own emission reductions targets.
Today’s Speech from the Throne recognized the overlapping threats facing the country in health, climate, the economy and in the state of relationships with Indigenous Peoples, but failed to present a coherent emergency response to these interconnected crises. Climate change is a threat amplifier; the way forward requires a whole-of-government approach that prioritizes resilience and solidarity.
Despite the escalating calls around the world for urgent action and justice, COP26 has delivered only tentative and incremental progress. Those most affected by climate impacts – including Indigenous Peoples and people from the Global South, especially youth and women – are leading the way fighting for a livable future. As the conference ends, people back home will be watching to see how their governments address the ongoing disconnect between the incremental steps we have seen over the past two weeks and the urgent needs of climate justice.
On the final afternoon of COP26, Canadian climate experts called on Canada to push for strengthening the COP26 decision text. The current text is not strong enough to ensure that warming is limited to 1.5°C to create a just, equitable future. Canada must step up to ensure the legacy of COP26 is not creating loopholes for polluters, steamrolling Indigenous rights and ignoring the impacts of extreme weather on developing countries.
Current proposals for the overarching decision text on COP26 fall far short of what science and justice require, warned Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada in a series of recommendations sent today to Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
At a press conference at COP26 today, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) delivered a ludicrous message that belies science or logic – that climate action requires more Canadian oil and gas, even though Canadian oil is the second most carbon-intensive in the world. CAPP’s message flies against the International Energy Agency’s research, which found that limiting warming to 1.5°C requires significant cuts to all fossil fuel production, including both oil and gas.
Today at COP26, Canada, US, Mali, UK, and 20 other countries and institutions from both developed and developing countries launched a joint statement committing to end direct international public finance for unabated coal, oil and gas by the end of 2022 and prioritize clean energy finance. If honoured, this commitment will likely unseat Canada as the worst-ranking in the G20 for international public financing to the fossil fuel sector.
This morning, Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, along with German State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth and COP26 President Alok Sharma put forward their delivery plan to show how rich nations would meet the annual US$100 billion commitment. This document is not a plan to deliver the US $100 billion in full and on time, but a failed attempt to provide some hope on climate finance.
A new Abacus Data poll released today confirms that a majority (66%) of Canadians want the Liberal government to implement climate policies in their platform or enact stronger ones. With a new cabinet expected to be sworn in by the end of the month, the poll shows that a majority of Canadians want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to follow U.S. President Biden‘s example and swiftly fulfil climate commitments in his first 100 days in office.
By 2030, Canada may only have half as many oil and gas jobs as it does today, leaving workers and communities with an uncertain future, reveals a new report co-authored by Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada and Blue Green Canada. Automation, attrition, and the rapid decarbonization that a safe planet demands all play a role in the changing job landscape.