Canada and COP30
by Stephanie Ho Lem, Promoting Living Green
COP30 was held in Belem, Brazil November 10 to 21, the Gateway to the Amazon River. The Canada Pavilion was to provide a central networking hub for partners and stakeholders to showcase Canadian climate leadership and innovation. Only two Canadian government Ministers, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin and the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency, Stephen Guilbeault attended COP30. The Canadian delegation was seen as inadequate.
At the same time COP30 was being held, the federal budget was introduced in parliament. The Liberal government was shy a few seats for a majority government. As a result, there was a scramble to vote on the federal budget, that pulled federal ministers away leaving Canada’s direction at COP30 without significance.
Canada ranks 4th in the world in oil reserves, and the world may reduce the use of fossil fuels but will not eliminate the use entirely. Domestic policies promoting oil and gas development directly conflict with Canada’s climate goals. Canada’s official delegation to COP30 included numerous oil gas lobbyists which overshadowed climate action.
Canada received the “Fossil of the Day” Award from Climate Action Network International (CAN). The Fossil of the Day Award is a daily “award” given to those countries who are the best at being the worst and doing the most to do the least. Countries are nominated by CAN and the award is determined by a CAN Members’ vote.
CAN is the world’s largest environmental network of over 1,800 non-governmental organizations in over 130 countries fighting the climate crisis. Climate Action Network Canada’s Executive Director is Caroline Brouillette. She states the world is taking notice of the government’s backtracking on climate. Calgary organizations actively involved in climate action and linked to broader networks include the Calgary Climate Hub, The Arusha Centre, and the Pembina Institute often collaborating with the University of Calgary’s sustainability efforts.
Prime Minister Carney states that he is convinced that the best way to ensure that climate policy sticks is to balance it with other urgent public policy priorities, that is strengthening our economy, diversifying trade, and bringing our country together. Canada refused to commit to the 2030 target emphasizing instead the later net zero target of 2050.
How Is Canada Viewed at COP30?
Although Canada defended its COP30 presence as consistent with its goals, the overwhelming consensus from environmental groups and observers was that the delegation was inadequate and failed to demonstrate the climate leadership expected from Canada, particularly given its domestic policy direction.
What COP30 did not achieve:
• No roadmap to halting deforestation
• No roadmap to transitioning away from Fossil Fuels
What COP30 did achieve:
• An agreement to triple adaptation finance to $120 billion per year.
Please note that the content provided is for informational purposes.
Sources: Government of Canada-Environment and Climate Change Canada; Climate Action Network Canada; Fossil of the Day Award; COP30 Canada Pavilion.
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