International engagement must be accompanied by more action at home
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bonn, Germany: November 16, 2017 — The Powering Past Coal Alliance was announced today at COP23 by the Environment Ministers of the UK and Canada. The announcement included a celebration of the partnership established between 25 national and sub-national governments to phase out coal-power around the world and a commitment to achieve the “phase-out in a sustainable and economically inclusive way, while providing appropriate support for workers and communities.”
Karri Munn-Venn, Senior Policy Analyst for Citizens for Public Justice responds to today’s announcement:
“Phasing out coal is good and necessary. Encouraging others to join the effort is helpful. But meaningful leadership requires more than asking others for action; Canada must increase our own ambition and move quickly to reduce GHG emissions at home.
It is imperative that the Government of Canada bring consistency to our climate and energy policies. They must follow-through on their commitment to end subsidies and tax breaks to the fossil fuel industry and make strategic investments in a just transition to a zero-carbon economy.
As we were reminded by French President, Emmanuel Macron yesterday, the world has only five years left to ‘bend the emissions curve’ towards keeping warming to 1.5C. Immediate action is needed.”
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For more information, contact Karri Munn-Venn at karri@cpj.ca
