It's Getting Hot In Here » Zoë

Canada’s Chance to Lead

Zoë — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:44:13 +0000

The Canadian Government has been aiming to lead the charge on government accountability since the day they entered office. However, when it comes to accountability of climate change actions, their stance remains unclear.

The story begins with the usual suspect: the United States. The US is insisting that they will not be a part of any global climate change agreement unless there is some level of transparency and review of emission reductions from big polluters - such as China and India. And rumours have it that countries such as Canada, Japan, Russia and Australia are apt to follow suite.

The flip side of the coin is that China will not move on transparency (measuring and reporting its emissions) until the United States proves that it is serious about cutting emissions. There are a number of proposals on the table right now from various countries on how to deal with this disagreement.

To move out of this stalemate, the United States should step forward and agree to give further details of its targets. Overall, the world needs reassurance of how the Obama administration will reach its target given the failure in Senate of the US climate bill. The key move the US could make would be to announce a plan to decarbonize its economy by 2050 – and one could argue that Canada should offer the same. This would help the overall process in these negotiations of clarifying and reviewing the emission-cut pledges of countries.

What is needed from other countries that traditionally follow the US – read, Canada – is to take a step aside and separate their positions from that of the US by supporting standardized, comparable, robust accounting in order to ensure a clear and transparent process for all countries involved.

With these moves in play, China will likely reaffirm its commitment to agree to measuring and reporting their emissions – as they have said in the past. The would also then agree to a process of transparency for their own emission cuts – which is more technically known as ‘International Consultation and Analysis’.

Canada has yet to publicly clarify any specific positioning on this, and we will wait to see if they – or any other key developed country – will fill this necessary space by making a move to bridge the divide between the US and China to ensure a strong basis of accountability within the negotiations.

For more information, read an analysis of this issue by the World Resources Institute.

Filed under: Canada, Cancun 2010, China, Climate Policy, global warming, Government, International Affairs, United Nations

US and Canada: “Show the World that Cancun can.”

Zoë — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:32:07 +0000

Cross-posted from Corporate Knights

While climate change has become increasingly political among some countries, there is an increasing need to break away from this over the next two weeks in order to come down on key decisions here at the negotiations. And Canada, the United States, and Mexico may just be the ones to lead.

Mexico opened the annual United Nations climate change conference this week with candor and genuine thought. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary and this year’s President of the negotiations, opened the climate change talks with enthusiasm. She encouraged countries to have “dialogue in good faith,” and to urged negotiators to “preserve a collective good of enormous importance.” She spoke of the “flexibility needed from all” in order to find a common denominator amongst the room. She reiterated that this “will mean breaking out of our paralysis.”

Lykke Friis, Danish Minister for Climate and Energy and President of the previous Conference, set the bar by telling negotiators to “keep a legally-binding treaty in our sights.” This is the ultimate goal, to be worked towards in the coming year. In strong-suggestion, she ended with, “Let’s show the world that Cancun can.”

Despite the good will from Mexico, Japan has come out of the gates slightly disgruntled, stating that it does not support a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol — the world’s only legally binding climate change agreement to date. (A commitment period is a time-frame during which countries commit to reducing their emissions contributing to climate change. The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is up in 2012.) The controversy over continuing the Kyoto Protocol is that it does not include key countries such as the United States.

However, there is a heavy argument in the hallways of the UN that the world should move ahead for the time being without the United States signing an agreement. Why? The United States is unlikely to pass a climate change bill any time in the next two years, given the make-up of political representatives — unless the Republican party shifts its stance to become progressive on climate change, however, that is also very unlikely. That said, the United States has a lot to work for here at the United Nations over the next two weeks, and for the years to come.

The US is a major piece of the solution, and other countries need to see that it is still making progress regardless of whether it has a climate change bill or not. The US can move forward on laying out its plans for cutting emissions in the country, in order to build trust amongst other countries, and it can also lead in discussions around how countries measure and verify their emissions — this is ultimately a story about ensuring transparency (technically known as Measurable, Reportable, & Verifiable “MRV”). The US should be a leading player, regardless of what laws it is able to pass on the home front.

And Canada, ultimately, should be doing the same. While the catch phrase of Canada’s government has been “accountability” for the past four years, here lies an opportunity for Canada to integrate its expertise into the negotiations. There is a need for a developed country — such as Canada, Australia, or the United States — to propose that countries make a decision to implement a stringent system of accountability for developed countries under the broader climate change agreement that includes everyone (otherwise known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a.k.a. the mother of the Kyoto Protocol).

Perhaps this would be an appropriate time to remind us all that the leaders of Canada, the United States, and Mexico — Harper, Obama, and Calderon — once said, “We, the leaders of North America reaffirm the urgency and necessity of taking aggressive action on climate change. …We share a vision for a low-carbon North America.”

The negotiations here in Cancun ultimately need progress in order for the United Nations process on climate change, and for a global, legally binding deal to be a reality at next year’s negotiations.

While Canada and the US are still bruised by failed climate change bills unable to pass Senate, both countries should take this opportunity follow Mexico’s lead in pushing for two weeks of meetings where political baggage is left at the door.

Filed under: Canada, Cancun 2010, Climate Policy, global warming, Government, International Affairs, United Nations

Signs of change: Day One at the COP16 climate talks in Cancun, Mexico

Zoë — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:30:57 +0000

Cross-posted from WWF-Canada Blog – November 29, 2010

(c) Fredy Mercay/WWF

I have arrived at the United Nations climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico. The first thing I saw as I drove away from the airport in a shuttle was a massive billboard advertisement for the NISSAN Leaf, “100% electrico” car.

The second thing I saw before we reached the outer perimiter of the airport property was a Monarch butterfly. It brought me back immediately to my childhood tape deck, playing a David Suzuki sing-along on Monarch butterflies.

With an icon of a solution to climate change, and an icon of biodiversity, Day One in Mexico was symbolic of our work as a whole. We ultimately attend these international negotiations on climate change out of our interest to protect biodiversity by implementing solutions to climate change.

As we head into these negotiations, the stand point of the Canadian government is clear, as we saw the country’s only climate change bill (Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act) fail in the Senate just last week. The headlines this week have shown that Canada is starting to more deeply think about how we, as a country, move forward with the United States – given that our economies are so closely linked.

That said, Canada steps into these global talks with an ultimate responsibility to act. As we are among the top 10 global emitters, we owe it to the world to act on climate change. Overall, what we want to see is Canada playing a constructive role in these negotiations, and increasing its level of ambition. This is the 16th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) – and each year, each conference, is increasingly important, as global emissions should be peaking in the next five years if we are to avoid the worst projected climate change.

Canada has, unfortunately, garnered itself a tarnished reputation here amidst the United Nations hallways. Where the Canadian flag is usually a symbol of pride for many, here it is very much less so. However, WWF is here to work with those who are committed to moving forward solutions as quickly and meaningfully as possible. And hopefully, that includes the leaders of not only our federal, but also our provincial governments.

The talks began just moments ago, and while electric cars and Monarch butterflies have already amazed me here in Mexico, Canada’s leadership still needs to do so.

Filed under: Canada, Cancun 2010, Climate Policy, global warming, Government, International Affairs, Transportation, United Nations

The Dalai Lama on Global Warming

Zoë — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:36:16 +0000

I was in the same room as his Holiness, the 14^th Dalai Lama for approximately 1.5 hours this afternoon. He made a visit to Toronto, Canada to address a crowd of over 30,000 in what could be summarized as a lesson of kindness.

What emerged from his mouth, however, reached issues including global warming and climate change. He affirmed his thoughts that humans make contributions to global warming, and dug a little deeper than most have:

“These tragedies are not natural disasters, they are human disasters. They are man-made tragedies,” he said when explaining the impacts of climate change. “It is our own carelessness,” he concluded.

His observation of progress of the United Nations climate talks was clear: “The United Nations is [telling us that] national interest is of greater importance than the global interest,” as he described the inability to come to a global consensus in Copenhagen. “This is too narrow-minded. We must broaden our perspective.”

His Holiness wove these concepts mindfully with discussing the utmost strength and importance of truth, openness, sincerity and honesty – all which he defines as necessities of building resolution. Simultaneously, he discussed the basis of working for the good of humanity, with the recognition that we all crave resolution and dislike conflict.

“Destruction of your neighbour is destruction of yourself. Don’t remain at a distance [from each other]. Meet. Listen. Develop a spirit of dialogue. Create a sense of caring for the wellbeing of others.”

May the United Nations, countries, and individuals alike heed the Dalai Lama’s advice, because, as he says, the solutions “will not fall from the sky. It [will come] from our own action.”

Filed under: Asia, Canada, China, Climate Justice, Events, global warming, Interviews, Religion, United Nations

G8 + G20: Only Got 2 Minutes to Save the World

Zoë — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:42:10 +0000

2 minutes in English. Quick explanation summary of how the G8/G20 can address climate change at the upcoming Toronto G8 & G20 summits.

2 minutes en francais. J’explique comment les dirigeants peuvent aborder le suject des changements climatiques pendant les sommets de G8 & G20 a Toronto.

(English) (Francais)

Filed under: Canada, Climate Policy, Economics, Francophone, G8, global warming, Government, International Affairs, Interviews, Oil, Politics

I want to hug Ban Ki Moon

Zoë — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:06:33 +0000

Cross-posted from blog.wwf.ca

“We also have an opportunity to address a second existential threat to human kind – a threat posed by climate change. The science is sobering. And climate change is happening much, much faster than you may realize,” Ban Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary General said as he began is speech in Ottawa, Canada this morning.

“We must be ready and we must be committed to leave this planet Earth to our succeeding generations to be more hospitable and more environmentally sustainable. That is our political and historical responsibility.

That’s what I’m doing as the Secretary General – I’m going to discuss with Prime Minister Harper, as the leader of the G8, and as a chair of the G20 this year, and as one of the most developed countries in the world, Canada has a special role and special responsibility to play. That is what I want to emphasize here.”

After a heavy applause, he thanked the room for our support. He emphasized the importance of grass roots engagement and the necessity to be working in a concerted effort on climate change form all angles and on all levels.

He then turned to Canada and said bluntly, “I urge Canada to comply fully with the targets set out by the Kyoto Protocol. You can strengthen your mitigation target for the future.” After an imminent applause, he continued, “You can join the other industrialized countries in contributing new funding in keeping with the longstanding tradition of global solidarity.”

The new funding he referred to was the short and long term climate change funding countries committed to giving to developing countries – both so countries can adapt to climate change, but also so countries can quickly transition their technologies to things like green energy to immediately cut growing emissions.

In light of the G8 and G20, he emphasized the mass effort required in tacking climate change: “This is about – by any standard – a global challenge. This is not about a single country, however Canada may be rich and resourceful, this cannot be done by only you. This must be done by the entire world – the people of all the world. This is a global challenge that requires global responses.

He left the topic of climate change in a simple yet straightforward tone: “Canada has much to contribute. [We are] taking a lead, and I am sure you will continue to press the government, and your leadership to do the same.”

I didn’t get the chance to as a question at the mic near the end, but if I had, I would have considered requesting permission to hug him in thanks - on behalf of all of us who hope Canada will aspire to the level of ambition of which Ban Ki Moon speaks.

Filed under: Canada, Events, global warming, International Affairs, Reporting Team

An Ode to Oda on ODA

Zoë — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:41:32 +0000

(An ode to Minister Beverley Oda on the issue of Official Development Assistance)

The G8 International Development Ministers’ meeting in Halifax, Canada happened this week with little talk of climate change. The issue of climate change is set to be on the G8 agenda, yet no ministers’ meetings to date have raised the issue. This ministerial was the last of a series of meetings leading up to the G8 Summit in Muskoka this June.

Germany’s representative Dirk Niebel, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, was the first to bring up climate change in a general context, as he noted that Development Ministers had a responsibility to include climate change in their planning and projects.

WWF (World Wildlife Fund) put out a statement with clear criteria expectations: “G8 International Development Ministers play a key role in ensuring climate financing are in fact new and additional to Official Development Assistance, and that they are not just robbing Peter to pay Paul. They should establish clear criteria and standards for ensuring that funds are additional,” said Mark Lutes, Finance Policy Coordinator at WWF International.

ItsGettingHotInHere.org’s question to Canada, as host of the meeting (and because the German delegate had left the room), “Minister Oda, the representative from Germany was the first to mention climate change. Will Canada’s current Official Development Assistance and Millennium Development Goal budgets be used to meet Canada’s 2010 to 2012 climate change financing commitments?“

Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, responded, “(…It’s been a long two days.) Yes, to some extent. I think the thing is, is that we have to look at the direction and the intent of our climate change initiatives and our support for climate change, and working to do that. As you know, climate change is very important. However, we want to make sure that any dollars that we use for our international systems resources are actually going to work to help the countries and to help the people who are living in poverty. This will tie in with our economic growth thematic focus, as well as our food security – the work that we’re doing in agriculture – our corporate social responsibilities, and making sure that the benefits of any industrial activity in a country will benefit the [environment] and will be managed in environmentally responsible [ways].”

Although climate change and environment are allegedly on the G8 agenda*, Canada is only the second G8 host country since 1992 that has decided not to host an Environment Ministers’ Meeting. The other time was in 2004 when the US was the G8 host at the time of President George W. Bush.

* 1. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in June 2009: ““tremendous opportunity to make progress in three areas: open markets and free trade; freedom, democracy and the rule of law; and insist on truly global action against global warming.” 2. Prime Minsiter Stephen Harper noted “climate change” as being on the G8 agenda during his speech in Davos at the World Economic Forum. 3. Canada’s G8 Summit website cites “environment” as a seondary issue on its list of summit priorities.

Filed under: Canada, G8, global warming, Government, International Affairs, Reporting Team

Canada’s Climate Bill Makes it to 3rd Base

Zoë — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:12:31 +0000

Cross-posted from WWF-Canada’s Blog

The House of Commons in Canada yesterday pushed through the Climate Change Accountability Act, Bill C-311 into its third reading because of a major shift made from within the Liberal Party of Canada.

The position of the Liberal caucus was not unanimous or certain before a motion was put forward yesterday. The Opposition Motion put forward by Member of Parliament David McGuinty yesterday was not only well-written, issue inclusive, and forward-thinking, it also included crucial goals, time-lines and events that Canada must focus on in order to engage with other world leaders on cutting emissions.

Two elements of the motion are particularly important and significant given Canada’s role as host to the G8 and G20 Summits in June:

Follow through on Canada’s commitment at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh in 2009 to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and report on implementation.
Restore Canada’s tarnished international environmental reputation by implementing Canada’s international commitment made during the Copenhagen negotiations to provide our fair share of new climate change financing for developing countries to support their adaptation and mitigation efforts to deal with the climate change crisis.

To show true leadership as host to this year’s G8 and G20 Summits, Canada must follow through on its commitments to climate financing and getting rid of fossil fuel subsidies. This is especially important to address energy security and to play a strong role in the clean energy economy.

WWF-Canada supports* Canada in:

submitting its fair share of $300-$400 million per year between 2010 and 2012 before the G8 Summit;
putting forward a plan and time-line to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies before the G20 Summit;
ensuring short- and long-term climate financing is both on the G8 and G20 Summit agendas respectively; and
organizing a G8 and G20 Environment Ministers Meeting in advance of both Summits.**

The timing of this motion and the movement of Bill C-311, drafted by the New Democratic Party of Canada, is important given the G8 Sherpas are meeting in Whistler, British Columbia today and tomorrow to discuss the G8 agenda. These meetings are to be followed by consultations with representatives of international civil society groups. Canada is the host of the G8 being held in Huntsville, Ontario in June of this year.

Climate financing being discussed at various multi-lateral forums will help countries come to the table at the next United Nations climate change conference in November in Mexico prepared to make final decision. This movement made yesterday made it possible for Canada to move forward one step further on climate change legislation. Today, every Member of Parliament who voted in favour deserves our applause – and I hope we give it to them with utmost due diligence.

* WWF-Canada’s climate financing asks of the Canadian Government can be found in this recent letter.

** This is the first year in the past two decades that the G8 host government has not organized an Environmental Ministers preparation meeting.

Filed under: Canada, Climate Policy, G8, Government, Politics

Climategate or bust? Bust it is.

Zoë — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:20:00 +0000

From the WWF-Canada Blog.

Media headlines in the past five months have not been particularly strengthening to the reputation of climate change science. It all started with a massive email hacking into East Anglia University, site of some of the world’s leading climate scientists who contribute to reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) . The hacked emails were coupled with claims that scientists were trying to manoeuvre the data in their favour, thus discrediting the work of the IPCC.

A recent inquiry into the issue was completed by the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. They found that the hacked emails show no evidence of foul play on behalf of the scientists: “…insofar as we have been able to consider accusations of dishonesty we consider that there is no case to answer.”

Continue reading ‘Climategate or bust? Bust it is.‘

Filed under: Climate Science, Government, International Affairs

Japan Sets Climate Precedent for G8

Zoë — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:59:53 +0000

Japan Foreign Affairs Press Secretary, Kazuo Kodama tonight re-affirmed Japan’s concerns around climate change. “As we all know, the global community must address the issue of rising sea levels and rising temperatures. In order to address [climate change] there seems to be a consensus today …that we have to transform our society from carbon intensive one to a low carbon society.”

Kodama spoke on the eve of the beginning of the G8 Foreign Ministers’ meetings in Gatineau, Canada. He represented his minister s he explained the ebbs and flows of Japan’s climate push, as he said, “Prime Minister Hatoyama and Minister Okada are really the leaders on this issue. The key challenge for us, the Japanese community, is that it’s very important for us to convince our people that climate change counter initiatives are compatible with sustained economic growth.”

That said, Japan still managed to recently successfully pass their own climate change bill, including a commitment of emission cuts a quarter below what they were in 1990 by 2020. Japan is also currently engaged in the G20 discussion of innovative financing as a way to put new money towards development aid and climate change. Canada will debate the next stage of its potential climate change Bill C-311 this Wednesday.

The G8 Foreign Ministers’ meetings continue on Tuesday, March 30.

Filed under: Asia, Canada, Climate Policy, Economics, G8, global warming, Government, International Affairs, Reporting Team