Justin Trudeau is pledging to cap Canada’s oil and gas emissions.
The prime minister delivering that promise while attending the UN climate convention known as COP 26 in Scotland.
“We’ll cap oil and gas sector emissions today,” Trudeau vowed. “And ensure they decrease tomorrow at a pace and scale needed to reach net zero by 2050. That’s no small task for a major oil and gas producing country. It’s a big step that is absolutely necessary.”
Alberta’s premier says the commitment was made without his endorsement. Alberta owns the majority of Canada’s oil and gas reserves.
The Liberals had promised to implement such a cap in their recent election platform.
Trudeau is also urging world leaders to follow Canada’s example. He wants to work together to negotiate a global minimum carbon price.
“We know pollution pricing is key to getting emissions down while getting innovation up and running,” Trudeau says. “Our carbon price trajectory is one of the most globally ambitious ones. And it is rising to $170 a tonne in 2030. This is a meaningful price on pollution designed not just to make life cleaner, but also make life more affordable and less expensive for Canadians. I call on other countries to do the same.”
Trudeau says the concept is similar to the 15 per cent minimum corporate tax more than 130 countries have committed to in an effort to stop big multinational corporations from avoiding taxes.
Meantime, Canada is joining over 100 countries in the pledge to end deforestation by 2030.
Experts say the move could be critical to limiting climate change.
