(New York) As Prime Minister François Legault is set to speak about the environment at the United Nations in New York this week, voices are being raised within environmental groups that Quebec must do more to combat climate change.
Posted at 3:55 p.m.
Thomas Laberge The Canadian Press
Greenpeace Canada climate energy campaign director Patrick Bonin says he is surprised the Quebec premier was invited to speak at the Climate Ambition Summit.
“All the work and its results clearly do not make Quebec a climate leader. […] Emissions in transport are increasing. Emissions in industry are not going down either,” he claims.
Prime Minister Legault was invited by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to attend the United Nations General Assembly and take part in the first summit on climate ambition, which will take place on Wednesday.
“We are more punctual for beautiful parades and displays. We are in the process of proposing additional measures and that is what we expect from Mr Legault,” says Patrick Bonin.
Towards a more ambitious goal?
Currently, Quebec’s goal is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5% by 2030. According to Climate Action Network Canada’s Quebec officer, Leïla Cantave, Quebec needs to revise its target upward.
“This data is based on IPCC recommendations from 2015. All he needs to do is update this reduction target. “We at the Climate Action Network are demanding 65%,” explains the woman, who is also on site in New York to put pressure on political decision-makers.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
The head of the climate-energy campaign at Greenpeace Canada, Patrick Bonin
If we look at emissions in Quebec, they are not being reduced drastically and quickly. Quebec is not on track to meet its 2030 target.
Patrick Bonin from Greenpeace
Quebec is also aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Mr. Bonin still recognizes that Quebec has some good track records in the fight against climate change.
He cites the addition of electric vehicle terminals or the end of oil and gas exploration and production as examples.
In addition, there is the rejection of the LNG Quebec project in Saguenay and the abandonment of the third motorway connection between Quebec and Lévis.
“But we are far from ready at this level, that’s for sure,” he emphasizes.
François Legault and accompanying Environment Minister Benoit Charette will present Quebec’s main directions in the fight against climate change and take part in a round table with members of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), of which Quebec is a part.
Prime Minister Legault’s presence at the United Nations is a first step ahead of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 28), which will take place from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Climate Ambition Summit recognizes government, civil society and business leaders who are “leading the implementation of credible and concrete actions aimed at achieving the 1.5 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Agreement and those who have the greatest impact “Climate crisis,” says an explanatory document from the United Nations.