In a move that has drawn fierce criticism from various groups at the UN climate conference, Canada is seeking to eliminate the reference target of a 25-40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2020. News surfaced on this move during informal talks of the Kyoto Protocol ad-hoc working group.
Joined by the governments of Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Canada is attempting to break with the reduction targets set by the landmark Bali Road Map struck in 2007. Instead opting for weaker targets set well below the IPCC-scenario baseline.
This move, reported by La Presse, comes on the heels of comments from Environment Minister Jim Prentice who said he will not commit to reduction targets that are unrealistic, citing possible damage to the Canadian economy.
The CYD is adamently opposed to the idea that there is a trade-off between the economy and environment, and sees this current crisis as a perfect opportunity for Canada to start investing in economic infrastructure that promotes sustainable development.
Although Canada is one of the worst carbon emitters on a per capita basis, Prentice emphasized the need for countries like China, India and the U.S. to also shoulder the burden.
It appears Canada has no intention of showing leadership on this issue and is content to sit on its hands.
Poznan may be a path to a final global climate deal in Copenhagen in 2009, but unless the framework is put in place over the next days there will be little room to work with.
It is terribly unsettling to see that Canada has not only broken it's own commitment by reneging on the Kyoto Protocol, but it is now also breaking a commitment it set in Bali.
Canada needs to stop this dangerous political to-and-fro and start working toward an international cooperative progress now. This is not the time to break from the pack.
What's needed is for a country to step up and show leadership. If not us, then who?
