International Energy Agency delivers forward-looking report, Canada should jump on board
TORONTO—For the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial held in Bali on Sept. 2, the International Energy Agency delivered a forward-looking report containing some key messages that should be especially important for Canada as we address fundamental changes in the world of energy and engage in an overdue effort to seriously address climate change. If we focus […]
Global effort needed to confront unprecedented flooding and climate change, says Pakistani envoy
As unmatched flooding has displaced millions and led to the deaths of more than 1,200 people, Pakistan’s top diplomat in Canada is calling for an international effort to help address the immediate crisis and to help his country’s recovery. The flooding, which has been caused by an atypically heavy monsoon season and the melting of […]
How to procure a green economy
The Government of Canada is rightly focused on achieving net zero by 2050. Yet, Ottawa is still resisting implementing procurement policies to support a green economy. The federal government is the single largest buyer in the country. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), it is estimated that the procurement of goods […]
What shall we do with the climate refugees?
LONDON, U.K.—You wait ages for the bus, and then three come along at once. Books are a bit like that, too, although in this case it’s only a pair of them, both tackling the question of what to do about all the climate refugees. (The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration estimates that 1.5 billion […]
Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy will be too little, too late without action now
Environment and Climate Change Canada is now racing against time to deliver Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy. With 10 weeks to go before nations table their adaptation strategies at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, advisory tables set up to support development of a Canadian approach have yet to see a draft strategy. Last fall, Environment […]
To ‘build back better,’ Canadians need a shared purpose
TORONTO—If we are to ‘build back better’ as a country, Canadians need unifying goals and projects to show how a better future is possible. We also need credible evidence to demonstrate that we are headed in the right direction. Today, we don’t have much confidence that we are on the right track. We have a […]
Canada-U.S. co-operation key to unlocking shared climate success
Canadians woke up this week to some good news on the climate front from south of the 49th parallel. Canada’s biggest trading partner—the United States—has enacted new legislation that will include major funding for new policies that help deliver clean air, clean energy and green jobs. This is a big deal for the U.S., for […]
Government should ‘hold firm’ on compliance with emissions caps and reduction deadlines for oil and gas sector, say environmentalists
As Canada’s four biggest oil companies reported a nearly threefold increase in Q2 profits over last year, environmentalists are calling on the government to hold firm on its emission reduction targets, arguing the industry’s case for more time “just doesn’t hold water.” Keith Brooks, program director for Environmental Defence, told The Hill Times that the […]
Tory tango: Quebec Senator Larry Smith joins the Canadian Senators Group
Quebec Senator Larry Smith has left the Conservative Senate caucus to join the Canadian Senators Group, a move announced last week on Twitter and later confirmed by the CBC. “As a widely recognized and respected figure in Quebec, @SenLWSmith has contributed greatly to his home province and our country through his efforts in sports, business and […]
Young people are ready to change the world. Will leaders let them?
The expectations on leaders to deliver bold solutions at the G7 this June were big: solutions for looming famine, climate ambition, pandemic preparedness, and runaway inflation were anticipated. Ultimately, the summit recognized the challenge of the moment, but unfortunately, did not rise to the occasion with the necessary solutions. This summit was just the latest […]
