2022
November 16
Québec and Canada in the Fight Against Climate Change: An Exchange with Civil Society and Youth
A non-partisan panel organized by Équiterre in collaboration with AQOCI and broadcast by Dialogues pour le Climat.
Completed
COP27
Context
The world will gather in Charm el-Cheikh, Egypt from November 6 to 18, 2022 for the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27). The official Egyptian presidency agenda is now accessible.
What is COP and what happens at COP?
COP is short for Conference of the Parties, an annual event. The “Parties” in question are the 196 states (plus the European Union) that have ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
There are three types of COP. The one on climate change is in its 27th edition (COP27) this year. The other two types of COP deal with desertification and biodiversity (COP15). The latter will be held in December in Montreal. There will be a separate info page on COP15, so stay tuned!
Issues
The COP27 negotiations in Egypt are set against a backdrop of climate injustice. Africa is among the continents that are the least responsible for the climate crisis but is already reeling under its impacts.
How is Quebec involved?
Last year, Québec scored a victory by becoming a core member of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA). However Quebec unanimously adopted a motion to approve the Paris Agreement in 2016, and should therefore be bound by it. The Agreement requires signatories to strengthen their climate commitments every five years, but Quebec has yet to revise its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of 37.5% by 2030 – a target it adopted in 2015. Quebec has a historic responsibility in the global climate crisis.
How is Canada involved?
Canada owes a major climate debt to the countries of the global south. Last year, the Parties member states scored some points by calling for a phase-out of fossil energy and coal in the final text of the COP. Yet, a lot of work remains to be done, by both Quebec and Canada. Read to learn about our expectations and priorities COP27.
Where are we at after last year’s COP26?
For the first time in COP history, the final text of the COP26 agreement named the leading causes of the climate crisis, citing the need to do away with coal and “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”. Despite some noteworthy advances at the international, Canadian and Quebec levels, COP26 was disappointing, by and large. It failed to adopt measures that are ambitious enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Équiterre argued that much remained to be done to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) by 2100 .
Why is Équiterre going?
COP27 is a key place to influence international and domestic decision making and to shape government climate action. This year’s conference is expected to draw over 35,000 delegates, representatives and officials from across the political spectrum.
Our political analysts, Andréanne Brazeau and Émile Boisseau-Bouvier will once again be attending.
The delegation from Équiterre will lead a variety of on-site activities, from participating in the negotiations to hosting a panel discussion. Also, the team will:
take part in negotiations on climate finance, adaptation and mobility;
host a non-partisan panel on Quebec’s and Canada’s climate action, featuring stakeholders from civil society, youth groups and elected officials – in partnership with the Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI);
participate in events on transportation electrification, just transition and the consequences of Quebec’s membership in the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA);
inform Quebecers about the issues involved in the international climate negotiations, via our new channel l’EncyCOPédie – which will also be rebroadcast via the Climate Dialogues.
L’EncyCOPédie, everything you need to know about COP!
Many of Équiterre’s members and supporters have expressed an interest in a behind-the-scenes look at this annual climate summit and in having easier access to information on the conference. We’re answering the call with the launch of our new series on COP27: l’EncyCOPédie.
Follow us on social media for updates on the summit’s key themes, new developments and hot-button topics!
Watch our first video (remember to turn on the captions)
Expectations and priorities
A number of important issues will be discussed and negotiated at COP27. Équiterre will pay special attention to the following:
NDC updates: The parties to the Paris Agreement must update their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in line with limiting planetary warming to 1.5°C.
Adaptation: Developed countries promised to raise $100 billion to help developing nations adapt to climate change, but are lagging behind in this pledge. COP27 will be an opportunity to make this commitment a reality.
Loss and damage: The financial compensation mechanism for loss and damage, i.e. the irreparable economic, social and cultural damage from the climate crisis that many are dealing with, must progress in such a way as to support communities reeling from climate catastrophes (e.g. the residents of island countries facing rising sea levels).
Équiterre wants to see Canada put climate justice front and centre in its actions, and to serve as a leader on the global stage, encouraging the Parties – including itself – to adopt more ambitious measures and to fast-track implementation.
As for Quebec, Équiterre wants the provincial government to be in “solution” mode. To achieve carbon neutrality and do its fair share internationally, it must act in a timely, ambitious manner when it comes to the climate and mobility.
Équiterre has listed its recommendations by government level and area of expertise below.
Political Priorities - COP27
Check out Equiterre's prioritiesNews
November 14
Tomorrow, on Day 10 at COP27, Energy Day, Andréanne Brazeau will participate at 9:00 am (GMT) in the panel on 'Benefits of a Just Transition in Transportation: Lessons Learned from Climate Leaders'.
November 11
Where are we with Quebec's commitment at COP26 to end hydrocarbons?
Panel led by Émile Boisseau-Bouvier
November 10
@AllianceNetZero to hold panel at Canada Pavilion. We call for the cancellation of the event.
Read the letter we co-signed with over 20 organizations
November 8
Want to ask your burning questions about the fight against the climate crisis to elected officials? We give you the opportunity!
To fill out the form: https://bit.ly/3zWdIMd
For more information: http://bit.ly/3G5L4fj
November 6
Cop27 starts
Novembre 4
Team off to Egypt
2021
November
Équiterre assesses the outcome of COP26 in Glasgow.
Canada and Quebec still have GHG emission reduction targets and action plans that do not respect climate science.
“ Équiterre would like to see more ambitious climate action, especially by countries like Canada, who have the greatest historical responsibility for the climate crisis. Adaptation is also a crucial issue for developing countries and should be fully embraced by developed countries, who are also dealing with climate catastrophes. ”
