Environment: G7 sends ‘positive signal’ for climate

For the first time, the G7 nations, at their annual meeting, agreed to collectively achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, but also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. This is a medium-term goal, which finally seems to be giving a signal. Positive in terms of combating the climate crisis, is moreover more ambitious than that put forward by the Trudeau government.

When reading the commitments made by G7 countries Meeting in England over the past few days, economist François Delorme sees it as an “important step” to relaunch international cooperation in the fight against climate disruption. “It is a positive sign and renewed hope, after several disappointments in the climate dossier,” sums up the person who is in particular an IPCC collaborator.

A few months before the next United Nations Climate Conference (COP26), the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada have already agreed on a common goal in line with what climate science requires: accelerating efforts to decarbonize. their economies, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to “net zero as soon as possible and at the latest by 2050,” according to what we can read at The last press release.

The industrial powers add that this requires “important measures” during the current decade. Moreover, the medium-term goal is to reduce “collective” emissions by about 50% by 2030, compared to 2010, or even by more than 50% compared to 2005. Such a target is necessary to hope to limit warming to 1.5°C Compare to the pre-industrial era and thus avoid the worst climatic disturbances. Warming has already exceeded 1°C, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Click on Ottawa

The 2030 target set by the G7 is certainly not “binding”, as François Delorme identifies, but it should “press” on Ottawa, which currently has a less ambitious goal. The target set by the Trudeau government could, at best, reduce annual emissions to 407 million tons (Mt) in 2030. By aligning with the G7 target, Canada will export 352 million tons in 2030, compared to 730 million tons in 2019, i.e. Latest Report Available. Furthermore, Canada is the only G7 country in which greenhouse gas emissions have increased since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015.

“Canada’s goal was really far from what science would require and what its fair share of the global effort would be. The fact that it is less ambitious than that of the G7 underscores that it is climate stupidity,” Greenpeace spokesman Patrick Boonen denounced. “The Trudeau government should stop funding and approve hydrocarbon projects and instead adopt a more ambitious goal and plan that will allow for an equitable transition to renewable energy.”

But in the office of the environment minister, Jonathan Wilkinson, it was emphasized that the goal of reducing greenhouse gases relates to the “mass” emissions of major industrial powers. Canada’s new and ambitious 2030 target, which we introduced in April, is reflected in the collective ambition to reduce emissions that the G7 nations share. We are also doing more to support developing countries in their fight against climate change,” we say in writing.

financial commitment

Ottawa summit took advantage of Advertisement Canada to double its climate financial commitment. This amount was increased to $5.3 billion “to support all countries in their struggle to build a cleaner and more resilient future for all.”

The announcement was also welcomed by Eddie Perez, Senior Analyst for Diplomatic and Government Relations at Climate Action Network. However, the latter laments the fact that the Group of Seven industrialized nations has not yet raised the $100 billion pledged annually to support the energy transition and adaptation in the poorest countries. Moreover, Mr. Perez insists that “the needs are much greater”, while the effects of disruptions, particularly extreme weather events, are increasingly being felt.

Mr. Perez and Mr. Delorme also believe that the G7 should focus more on public subsidies in the fossil fuel sector, but also identify the means that will be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly. At their summit, member states agreed to limit the use of coal for power generation, but without making a commitment to ban the worst fossil fuels. They also pledged to speed up “decarbonization” of the transportation sector, but without a clear goal of ending the sale of petrol or diesel cars.