Matthew Bramley, director of the Pembina
Institute's climate change program, made the following statement in response to
today's release of the annual Climate Change Performance
Index, in which Canada finished in
54th place of the 57 countries evaluated:
"Canada continued a troubling tradition today, once again placing at the back
of the pack in an evaluation of countries' success in tackling climate change.
Just three countries of the 57 evaluated fared worse: Australia, Kazakhstan,
and Saudi Arabia.
"Although Canada scored
poorly across the board, its national policies were its greatest source of
weakness. Sadly, that's not a surprise, as the federal government has failed to
put in place the key policies needed to cut Canada's greenhouse gas pollution.
It's worth noting that Norway — like Canada, a cold country that exports oil
and gas — finished third overall, earning a high score on climate policy.
"It's time for the
Government of Canada to stop choosing delay and inaction as its response to
climate change. As the Cancun talks head into their final week, Minister Baird
should take advantage of the international spotlight to announce ambitious
measures to cut Canada's emissions."
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Blog: Why Canada is still at the back of the pack on climate
Contact:
Matthew Bramley (English / français)
Director, Climate Change, Pembina Institute
Cell: 819-210-6115
Phone: 613-216-1976 ext. 26
Julia Kilpatrick (English / français)
Media Manager, Pembina Institute
Cell: 613-265-5579
Phone: 613-216-1976 ext. 30
Background:
National rankings in the
annual Climate Change Performance Index are based on three weighted categories:
-
emissions
trends (50%) -
emissions
level in relation to the economy and population (30%) -
national and
international policies on climate change (20%).
The Pembina Institute contributed a policy evaluation that the
analytical team used to calculate Canada's score. Last year, Canada finished in
56th place of the 57 countries evaluated, but its improved placing
this year has little significance: last year Canada was slightly ahead of
Australia and Kazakhstan, while this year those countries are slightly behind
Canada.
