Decarbonizing Canada is a critical step to ensure a climate-safe and resilient future. An effective National Decarbonization Strategy can help us build back better, creating inclusive, green communities and quality green jobs (e.g. jobs in renewable energy). This strategy must include equitable partnerships with Indigenous communities, investing in renewable energy projects on Indigenous homelands and continuing to expand Indigenous ownership.
Here is a version of our budget submission part 3 of 7, with some simple calls to action that you can take added in.
Fossil fuel Subsidies and Polluter Pays
Canada has been a long standing supporter of phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies under G20, but has failed to align actions with words.[1] Canada must renew its commitment to ending fossil fuel subsidies by prioritizing the public good over private interests and profits and by defunding the fossil fuel corporations, industry and ventures that perpetuate harm to the Canadian people and the planet. This will necessitate fair taxation of the wealthy corporations and holding corporations that are most responsible for past and ongoing environmental and social damage, accountable.
Quick Facts:
- Canada is the largest provider of subsidies to oil and gas production per unit of GDP in the G7
- Canada is the second largest provider of public finance to oil and gas in the G20.[2]
Some Recommendations below! See more in our full budget submission.
- Phase out fossil fuel subsidies by ending Export Development Canada’s support for fossil fuels by 2030 [GBC]
- Impose Green Conditions by imposing strict polluter pay conditions
- Accelerate Shift to Renewables and Clean Tech by procuring renewable electricity for federal facilities from community owned sources in provinces with grids of higher carbon intensity [GBC]
Marine shipping
The shipping industry is one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). If it were a country, it would be the world’s sixth-biggest climate polluter, with global CO2 emissions greater than Germany.[3] Marine shipping specifically will be one of the most difficult obstacles to transition away from fossil fuels since renewable technology is not yet suitable for large merchant ships. Furthermore, demand for marine shipping is expected to rise and produce nearly 17% of all global emissions by 2050.[4] For these reasons, steps must urgently be taken to address the local and global climate impacts of Canada’s shipping industry.
Recommendations:
- Develop a national shipping GHG and black carbon reduction strategy [GBC]
- Implement a national shore power plan which would ensure all vessels are equipped to accept shore power and ports are able to provide it. [GBC]
Actions you can take!
- Help phase out Ontario’s gas-fired power plants
- Learn about and sign the bankswitch petition
- Learn about and sign the petition to stop Line 3
1] Environmental Defence “#StopFundingFossils: New poll shows Canadians want to end public subsidies for oil and gas companies” (2018)
2] Shelagh Whitley and Han Chen et al. “G7 fossil fuel subsidy scorecard” (2018)
3] “Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050” International Renewable Energy Alliance (2018)
4] Tony Robert Walker, “Why Decarbonizing Marine Shipping Might Not be Smooth Sailing” Dal News (May 21, 2019) https://www.dal.ca/news/2019/05/21/why-decarbonizing-marine-transportation-might-not-be-smooth-sail.html
Some more General References:
Green Budget Coalition, “Preliminary Recovery Budget Actions for 2020-2021” (2020)