December 11, 2019 - Here at the COP25 climate conference, we were heartened to hear the Canadian government reiterating important climate commitments to the global community. The commitments made in Madrid by Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, include legislating a net-zero 2050 target and 5-year interim targets, passing and implementing a just transition act, and strengthening Canada’s 2030 commitment under the Paris Agreement.
These commitments set a framework that will allow Canada to take deeper action on climate change. These actions will also guide and inform how the country develops energy projects going forward, phases out fossil fuel production and use, and undertakes an economic transition that is fair for workers and communities.
It was also encouraging to hear Minister Wilkinson prioritize robust rules for carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, rules that are scheduled to be agreed to here at COP25. Specifically, that means ensuring that carbon trading does not blow a big hole in expected progress under the Paris Agreement by simply moving carbon around and instead leads to greater emission reductions, and that all rules under Article 6 fully respect human rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are confident that Minister Wilkinson and the federal government understand that Canada cannot sign on to Article 6 rules that undermine any one of these principles.
Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat Canada
David Suzuki Foundation
Environmental Defence
Équiterre
Stand.earth
