Statement by Julia Levin, Associate Director, National Climate, Environmental Defence
Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – The Government of Canada’s new greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2035 is deeply disappointing, and signals that the government is not committed to the clean energy future that Canadians are demanding. A target of 45 to 50 per cent reductions from 2005 levels by 2035 represents no meaningful increase in ambition from Canada’s current 2030 target.
Targets matter. The 2035 target sets a marker to guide the next decade of climate action for all levels of government, industry, and Canadians.
This new target represents a failure on the part of the Government of Canada to see that Canada does its global fair share. In recent advice to the government, the Net Zero Advisory Body made clear that even a 50 to 55 per cent reduction wouldn’t represent Canada doing its fair share in reducing greenhouse gas pollution.
This disappointing target cements Canada’s position as a global climate laggard. Despite being one of the world’s top emitters, Canada has not achieved the same level of emissions reductions as other wealthy nations. While it’s true that current geopolitics brings much uncertainty, other countries are putting forth much more ambitious climate strategies. For example, the United Kingdom, the first major economy to have halved emissions from 1990, has recently committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 81 per cent from 1990 levels by 2035.
Provincial governments share the blame. Instead of pushing the federal government to develop ambitious climate action strategies, many provincial governments have challenged every single environmental and climate policy the government has proposed. Many have stooped to spreading misinformation concerning the cost of climate action.
Canadians are dealing with unnatural disasters and other climate change impacts – including risks to health, lost livelihoods, property damage, mounting home insurance costs and increasing food prices. These will only keep increasing unless Canada seriously commits to replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.
Canadians are calling for governments to do just that. New polling shows that a majority of Canadians want governments in Canada to phase out our dependence on fossil fuels and prioritize renewable energy. Yet this new emissions reduction target shows that the government is failing millions of Canadians calling for real change.
A strong climate plan isn’t just about reducing pollution levels, it’s about building a country which can thrive in the 21st century. It’s also about protecting the lives of Canadians – today and future generations. We know this decade is crucial. There is no time to waste.
Additional Information:
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Allen Braude, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
