Pembina reacts to North American climate commitments

OTTAWA — Erin Flanagan, federal policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the North American Climate, Clean Energy, and Environment Partnership Action Plan released today:

“Today’s summit has demonstrated that, when working together, North America can forge important progress on global issues. Trilateral commitments to accelerate renewable energy deployment, green government operations and reduce pollution from the oil and gas sector are significant climate victories for each country.

“Together, Canada, the United States and Mexico represent 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas methane pollution. We applaud Mexico’s commitment to reduce oil and gas methane emissions in lock step with Canada and the United States. In order to achieve this continental 45 per cent objective, each country must develop domestic regulations immediately, and should work towards timely implementation.

“A continental commitment to 50 per cent non-emitting electricity supply is strategic, as it lays the groundwork for increased emissions reductions across the Canadian economy. Today’s target confirms that Canada and its individual provinces are taking the right steps as they work to increase renewables on the grid. However, we urge the federal government to reduce domestic reliance on coal-fired electricity: coal represents over 70 per cent of Canada’s electricity emissions, while providing only 10 per cent of our electricity.

“We are pleased to see a trilateral commitment to reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector. In particular, the commitment to reduce black carbon emissions from heavy-duty trucking is important, since that sector is projected to become the largest emitting segment of transportation globally by 2040. Building on this, Canada should look to introduce a national land-based freight strategy as part of its upcoming pan-Canadian climate plan.”

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