Climate Change

Capital Power breaks a key promise to Albertans

Capital Power trying to ‘wish away’ its progressive 2001 public hearing commitment in favor of simple compliance

EDMONTON, AB — Environmental groups and landowners have joined forces to block Capital Power's bid to remove a legal requirement that it offset 50 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions that are released from the Genesee 3 coal power plant. Read More

Pembina reacts to proposed future federal coal regulations

OTTAWA, ON — Marlo Raynolds, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to today's announcement by Environment Minister Jim Prentice of future federal regulations for greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electricity:

“Minister Prentice’s commitment in principle to put an end to conventional coal-fired electricity is very welcome. A continued reliance on conventional coal would make achieving adequate greenhouse gas reductions in Canada virtually impossible. Read More

Pembina Reacts to Canada’s financial support for climate action in developing countries

OTTAWA, ON — Clare Demerse, Associate Director of the Pembina Institute's climate change program, made the following statement in response to today's announcement by Environment Minister Jim Prentice of $400 million in “fast start” climate financing. Under the December 2009 Copenhagen Accord, developed countries agreed to provide US$30 billion in financial support for climate adaptation and emission reductions in developing countries from 2010 to 2012:

“We’re delighted to see the government announce today that it will provide Canada’s fair share of financial support for climate action in poorer countries for 2010.

 

“Providing timely and adequate ‘fast start’ financing is essential to building trust and making progress towards a strong international climate deal, both at this week’s G8 and G20 summits and at the UN talks.

  Read More

David Keith on climate solutions & the Pembina Institute

As part of their 25th Anniversary celebration, the Pembina Institue has been posting interviews with prominent Albertans and Canadians. In their latest video, University of Calgary environmental scientsit Dr. David Keith speaks on climate change & climate solutions.

…we need to convince our fellow citizens that it is morally & physically unacceptable to use atmosphere as free waste dump for carbon. And at this point, the politics really aren't the issue, and the politicians aren't the fault.

New federal climate plan admits minimal action on emissions

Matthew Bramley, Climate Change Director of the Pembina Institute, critiques Environment Canada's recently released annual Climate Change Plan:

Sadly, this report confirms that the Harper government is neither implementing nor planning to implement any policies to substantially reduce Canada's greenhouse gas pollution. In the face of urgent calls for action coming from the world's most authoritative scientific bodies and ambitious policies in some of Canada's peer countries, this shows an astonishing failure to grasp what's at stake.

Read More

Harper plays wallflower on climate

The Pembina Institute's Clare Demerse writes about the Harper government's goal to "harmonize" our climate policy with that of the United States; and compares Canada's climate policy to a character from a romantic comedy — "the girl so afraid of being alone that she'll settle for anyone." Read More

Canada trailing pack in race for clean energy future

The Pembina Institute's Clare Demerse gives us the highlights of the new report, Measuring Up: Benchmarking Canada’s Competitiveness in a Low-Carbon World,  from the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).

Canada ranks just behind the U.S. and finishes ahead of Italy and Russia. France, Germany and the U.K. take the top three spots. So while our government is adamant that we must harmonize Canada's climate policies with the U.S., there are actually much better role models among our G8 peers.

Link to the post on the Pembina Climate Change website. Read More

The geography of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions

The Pembina Institute's PJ Partington has crunched the numbers and come up with some interesting insights regarding the discrepancy between Alberta's contribution to GHG emissions and to economic growth.

What jumps out right away is that Alberta is responsible for over half (52 per cent) of Canada's emissions growth since 1990, despite being responsible for only 18 per cent of GDP growth and 19 per cent of the growth in population. Combined with Saskatchewan, the two provinces account for an astonishing 74 per cent of national GHG growth, but only 20 per cent of Canada's GDP growth and 19 per cent of population growth.

Link to the post on the Pembina website Read More

Pembina reacts to Kerry-Lieberman climate bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Danielle Droitsch, Director of U.S. Policy for the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to today's unveiling of theAmerican Power Act by Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman:

"With today's announcement of the Kerry-Lieberman bill, the national political leadership in the U.S. continues to advance serious and detailed proposals to cut greenhouse gas pollution, meet emission targets and create thousands of new clean energy jobs.

"This makes an unfortunate contrast to Stephen Harper's government, which continues to talk about targets without having produced any plan to meet them. Instead, Canada's government has adopted a 'wait for the Americans' approach.  Read More

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