"We don't make a commitment and then run away at the first sign of trouble. We don't and we will not, as long as I'm leading this country."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
Monday, March 13, 2006
Ottawa - Members of the Canadian Climate Action Network/Réseau Action Climat - Canada (CAN-RAC) today called on all parties in Parliament to stop the federal government from running away from its international commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. CAN-RAC members were responding to statements by Prime Minister Harper, Environment Minister Rona Ambrose and revelations of massive cuts to funding to Natural Resources Canada and Environment Canada.
In light of the Prime Minister's claim that his government is simply moving money away from ineffective programs and working on a plan that will be more successful in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental groups released a list of measures they want to see reflected in the upcoming federal budget (see backgrounder).
"If there are existing programs that are ineffective, they need to be strengthened or replaced immediately with more effective programs or regulations. There is no justification for any further delay in regulating industrial greenhouse gas emissions, and providing effective incentives for energy efficiency, wind power and other renewable energy technologies. These measures will get results," said David Coon, Chair of CAN-RAC. "The Prime Minister's plan to start from scratch is simply an excuse not to try."
Environmental organizations reject the government's assertion that Canada cannot meet its Kyoto target.
The Kyoto Protocol allows Canada to help poorer countries cut their emissions and count those reductions toward our own target. Canada benefits from wherever emissions are reduced because climate change is a global problem. It also will benefit from the export of Canadian technology and know-how.
"The federal government's rejection of assistance for poorer countries to reduce their emissions as a means of meeting Canada's Kyoto target is just hard hearted and self-defeating," said Steven Guilbeault, Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Canada. "While we work to drive greenhouse gas emissions down in Canada we can support valuable projects that reduce emissions around the world and hit our Kyoto target too. It's the two-pronged approach this government must embrace," he said.
"Canada can meet its Kyoto target if it takes urgent action to cut emissions in Canada and in poorer countries. Parliament must intervene to maintain funding for climate change science, education and mitigation programs and ensure Canada's climate change efforts are expanded, not reduced," said Matthew Bramley, Director, Climate Change at the Pembina Institute.
"Engaging Canadians directly in reducing their energy demand is essential if we are going to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," said Hugo Séguin, Climate Change Coordinator for Equiterre.
Canada made its first international commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions in signing the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Convention's ultimate objective is to prevent "dangerous" climate change. In 2002 Canada committed to cut its annual emissions to 6% below 1990 levels to 560 million tonnes/year when Parliament voted to ratify the Convention's Kyoto Protocol. Canada's emissions in 2003 were 740 million tonnes.
Dangerous climate change is generally thought to be the result of a 2°C rise in the average global temperature. To prevent it, analysis shows that industrialized countries will have to reduce emissions to at least 25% below the 1990 level by 2020, 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The Kyoto Protocol was designed to start countries down that path.
The impacts of climate change are mounting in Canada with prairie rivers drying up, the north rapidly melting, more heat waves in our cities, and sea levels rising.
"We have reached the point where every month counts. It's time for this Parliament and this government to act now," said Dale Marshall, Climate Change Policy Anaylst for the David Suzuki Foundation.
- 30 -
Contact:
Matthew Bramley, Pembina Institute, 819 210-6115
David Coon, Chair, CAN-RAC, 506 461-1023
Hugo Seguin, Equiterre, 514 247-1006
Steven Guilbeault, Greenpeace, 514 231-2650
Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation, 613 302-9913
John Bennett, Executive Director, CAN-RAC, 613 291-6888