International organizations like the IPCC and the WRI Climate Watch are warning that countries are falling short of their emissions targets agreed to under the Paris Agreement, leading us into a future of global warming beyond the 1.5 degree limit, increasing the risk for catastrophic forest fires and floods like the ones we’ve witnessed in recent years.
We must continue to address the climate crisis in a serious and concerted way. This calls for an all-hands-on-deck approach, and Canada must continue to be a leader in that effort.
Reducing our emissions is something that we must continue to do, but it won’t be enough. We must also find a way to scale up Carbon Dioxide Removal technologies if we aim to respect our emissions reduction targets and protect future generations from the most harmful impacts of global warming.
Our climate strategy has three parts: the first addressing carbon pricing, second, increasing our energy efficiency, and third, looking at the technologies being developed today to reduce and eliminate GHG emissions.
1. Carbon Pricing : Applying funds to solutions
No one gets to pollute for free. Many Canadians recall the 1968 Bill Mason documentary of the canoeist in water frothy with sludge pouring from industrial pipes directly into waterways.
No more. Whether it’s land, air or water, government regulation ensures industry acts responsibly. There is a cost to having clean air, and this should be based on the accepted “polluter pays model”: if you pollute a little, you pay a little; and if you pollute a lot, you pay a lot. These payments will then be used directly to help clean the air — having a direct and tangible impact on the environment.
We will put a price on pollution in an intelligent way, protecting the competitiveness of Canadian industries. We will invest the funds in projects with a direct and positive impact on the environment, such as capping orphan wells that are presently leaking methane into the atmosphere. And we will support businesses that implement clean technologies to lower their carbon footprint.
Pledge:
As Liberal Leader and Prime Minister, I will implement a climate policy that leads to a direct, tangible impact on ensuring that we have clean air, and a clean environment. It will be based on the accepted “polluter pays model”. The present system is not achieving this — we will put into place one that does.
1a. Carbon border adjustments (CBA) are essential to maintain a fair competitive environment
Our Canadian industries will not be punished for being responsible! If other countries are not keeping pace in dealing with the issue of climate change, we will ensure that there is a level playing field. This calls for addressing disparities in carbon pricing and implementation among countries, coordinating our efforts to mitigate trade pressures and maintain Canada's competitiveness as we work together to lower GHG emissions.
Meanwhile, progress is being made. Canadian industries are stepping up, investing in solutions that make them cleaner and more competitive than ever.
ACTIONS:
- As Liberal Leader and Prime Minister, I will reinvest pollution pricing funds in businesses that are implementing solutions — not in punishing industries contributing to wealth creation, nor in punishing individuals for whom we have not created a reasonable alternative.
- As Liberal leader and Prime Minister, I will work with our international trade partners to put in place a carbon border adjustment mechanism, protecting the competitiveness of our industries.
2. Subsidies for energy efficiency
The cleanest Megawatt of energy produced is a Megawatt of energy saved.
Canadians are used to having access to energy that is both affordable and abundant. But when it comes to efficiency, we can do better. I will make sure we are not just building up our capacity (ref: Energy Security Plan released yesterday), but that we are also incentivizing efficiency.
ACTIONS: I will increase the incentive for capital investments in energy efficiency for businesses and in increase the credit amount for home renovations to make homes more energy efficient for individuals.
3. Ramping up green technology innovations
Adding to our efforts to reduce CO2 and to incentivize energy efficiency, Canada has an incredible opportunity to ramp up innovation in green technology, finding new ways to remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere and in doing so, positioning ourselves as leaders in climate tech.
3a. Methane
Methane (CH4) is an extremely potent greenhouse gas, with 28 times the global warming potential of Carbon dioxide. Canada was a leader in signing the Global methane pledge at COP 26 in Glasgow (2021), aiming to reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
The primary sources of methane are the oil and gas sector, agriculture, and landfills. And there is something we can do about it. Canadian innovators are already putting their minds to this problem.
- Detecting leaks: Companies like Qube in Calgary, AB are developing continuous monitoring tools to identify and track methane leaks at waste management and oil and gas production sites.
- Eliminating methane venting: Companies like Kathairos in Calgary, AB are working to eliminate methane venting at well sites, dramatically decreasing emission levels.
3b. Engineered Carbon Dioxide Removal technologies
Interesting work is also happening in the area of carbon dioxide removal. In some instances, CO2 is captured at biomass sites and converted or directly burned onsite to generate energy.
Another exciting development is Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage. Companies like Deep Sky, based in Québec, are developing ways to absorb carbon dioxide molecules from ambient air and ocean water, and to store it safely underground.
ACTION: The money generated from pollution pricing will be reinvested in funding innovative approaches to reduce emissions, increase our energy efficiency and develop innovative solutions for methane and carbon removal and sequestration.
Conclusion
Canada will step up and do its fair share when it comes to dealing with climate change. Just as we ensure that we have clean earth and clean water, we will ensure that we have clean air. In doing so, we will be directly addressing the issue of climate change.
The climate is a global issue, and emissions should be thought of on a global level — not just what are we achieving in terms of reduction here in Canada, but the global impact of our supply chain. By bringing greener, cleaner Canadian energy in the form of liquid natural gas to Asian and European markets, we are contributing to reducing reliance on dirtier energy sources like coal and shale oil.
By bolstering innovations in areas like methane and carbon capture, we can reduce our emissions here in Canada, while supporting those Canadian businesses developing the technologies to then sell their technical expertise to other markets. A win-win-win!