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Home > News > 2005 > News Release
For Release: November 8, 2005
Prime Minister Martin Meets with US and Canadian Environmental Leaders on Climate Change
US and Canadian environmental NGO’s delivered the strong message to Prime Minister Paul Martin today that, to be successful, the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change must conclude with a decision to begin negotiations on how to achieve deep reductions in greenhouse gas emmissions, with or without the US.
Global greenhouse gas reductions of 60% - 80% from current levels are needed by 2050 if we are to avoid dangerous climate change.
Critical to the outcome will be how the United States is engaged in the long term. "The majority of Americans want action on global warming, despite the fact that the Bush White House refuses to make any progress. In our states and local communities, we're moving ahead. The momentum is building daily," said Larry Schweiger, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation.
“We are concerned the government will see an agreement with the US as more important than getting an agreement to negotiate deep emission cuts. The world will judge success or failure on the content not on who signs it,” said John Bennett, Executive Director, Climate Action Network Canada.
The American environmental leaders from the five largest US environmental groups representing millions of members also urged Canada to take a more proactive role in helping them change American policy on climate change at the national level. "On acid rain the Canadian government wasn't shy about telling America about the damage being done to Canada. We need the same effort on climate change," said Hans Verolme, World Wildlife Fund US.
Canada will be forced to deal with the most severe impacts of climate change. “This is not only an issue about asking industry to be responsible. This is about protecting the most vulnerable, especially in Canada’s north,” said Joy Kennedy, KAIROS.
The present US administration, which rejects Kyoto, is expected to refuse to enter into negotiations. The Canadian government traditionally has played the role of go between with the United States and the EU.
“Paul Martin can unite countries in Montreal to advance meaningful solutions to climate change. Americans are looking to Canada for leadership,” said David Doniger, Natural Resources Defense Council.
For more information:
Andrew Dumbrille
Media Coordinator
Climate Action Network
info@climateactionnetwork.ca
Climate Action Network Canada Statement
Prime Minister Martin: Climate Negotiators Need Leadership
The global threat of climate change calls for visionary leadership from political leaders. The mounting evidence in Canada’s north and around the world make it evident that failure is not acceptable. The planet demands an international regime to reduce annual emissions by as much as 80% before the end of this century. All countries must have ambitious credible plans to do their part. Kyoto is just the beginning.
The Montreal International Climate Change Conference is an historic opportunity for statesmanship. In Montreal, leaders will renew a process that began with the Toronto Conference on the Changing Atmosphere (1988) and led to the Kyoto Protocol seven years later. Montreal must lead to a new agreement involving more reductions and new forms of participation. The stage must be set for progress. There can be no going back and no appeasement of international laggards.
Canada as host and president of the Montreal Conference has a rare opportunity to lead the world into a post-carbon age. This will require tremendous courage and diplomatic skill in the negotiations and clean hands in the form of solid domestic action.
Environment Minister Dion, who will preside, is correct in describing the need for implementation and improvement in the execution of the Kyoto Protocol, and the need to find innovative approaches for moving the international community forward. He will succeed if by December 10, 2005, there is an international decision to rectify the administrative problems with the Kyoto Protocol and to begin negotiations on a post- 2012 climate agreement.
To achieve such a decision, Mr. Dion will need your active support as Prime Minister to convince world leaders to stay the course with Kyoto while searching for new approaches to reduce emissions.
Entering the negotiations with clean hands means convincing Canadians as well as the international community that the Government of Canada is taking seriously its moral and legal commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. This is complicated by the incredible rate of growth in Canada’s oil and gas industry. When fully deployed Canada’s plan will have the potential to meet and exceed the Kyoto targets. The problem has been the protracted roll-out of the plan. It needs jump starting and it needs it now.
The world is looking for Canada to ensure the domestic plan is solidified, that the loopholes in its large final emitters system are fixed, and that support for innovative renewable energy programs is increased and accelerated.
In the last two years, the Government of Canada has significantly increased its commitment to renewable energy through the Wind Power Production Incentive (to 4,000 MW from 1,000 MW) and the new Renewable Power Production Incentive (1,500 MW). But at 5500 MW by 2010, Canada remains well behind the commitment to renewables of many developed countries and even developing countries like China with its recent commitment to 20,000 MW of wind. If we are to catch up and create a renewable energy industry, companies need to know that Canada is committed to renewable energy for the long term.
Canada should announce in advance of the Montreal Conference that it will significantly expand its commitment to green power, green heat and biofuels. A green power target of 12,000 MW of renewable power by 2013 should be set and supported through expansion of the Production Incentives. The expansion would cost no more than the current program and not cost the government any new money until 2010. To support consumers in becoming more energy self-sufficient, the Government should commit to at least 200 MW of solar photovoltaic (100,000 solar roof program) and solar water heating and geothermal through a subsidy buy-down of 30% of the purchase cost. On biofuels, Canada should partner now with the cellulosic ethanol industry to build Canada's first commercial plant.
Going into the Montreal Conference on a wave of positive domestic action will create momentum for success and the international community will see Canada as a leader that puts its talk into action.
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