At the US Climate Summit today, top ten greenhouse gas emitter Canada announced its target of new emissions reductions expected by 2030. While Canada has worked to present itself as a climate leader and ally together with the USA, with the new objective 40 -45 percent Canada continues to lag far behind its peers. Much more must be done to prevent the most dramatic harms to human rights from climate change.
With only nine years To avoid the worst foreseeable climate impacts according to the United Nations climate science body, the clock is ticking for Canada to do its part. Canada, which is warming to almost thrice the world rate, you shouldn't need to be asked. As Human Rights Watch documented in a report published last year, climate change is contributing to increased food insecurity and related negative health impacts in Canada's First Nations, clear signs that the worst is yet to come.
However, in this first update to Canada's emissions reduction target since it was set in the 30 percent in 2015 under the previous Conservative government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has missed the mark. Canada's new commitment to achieve a 40-45 per cent reduction by 2030 compared to 2005 levels is a far cry from the 60 percent reduction necessary for Canada to contribute its fair share to global emissions reduction efforts.
Meanwhile, other large emitters have set much more ambitious targets. The United States has committed to nearly doubling its previous goal of a 26 to 28 percent reduction to reduce emissions to the half by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The UK, which is already halfway to net zero and working to reduce emissions by 68 percent in compared to 1990 levels, will legislate a 78 percent reduction target by 2035 relative to 1990 levels, roughly equivalent to one 58 percent reduction from 2020 levels.
Canada, currently on track to reduce emissions by 36 percent by 2030, it remains the only G7 country whose emissions are substantially higher than 1990 levels. Canada is also the Most per capita public financier of fossil fuels, second only to China in total number.
If Canada wants to credibly present itself as a ally climate change, the Trudeau government must urgently demonstrate its commitment to ambitious climate action, including by delivering a clear plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies and investing in rapid decarbonization efforts.