Statement by Aly Hyder Ali, Oil and Gas Program Manager
Canada must pay attention to new analysis that reiterates the age of fossil fuels is coming to an end as demand for coal, oil and gas are set to peak before the end of this decade
Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – We are pleased to see that today’s report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reaffirms that the world is very quickly approaching a future where clean energy can meet all growth in global energy demand, due to rapid adoption in clean energy technologies, improvements in energy efficiency and electrification. This is great news, considering the outsized impacts of fossil fuels on driving climate change.
For Canada, a major oil and gas producing country, it is imperative to be prepared for the shift in the global energy market. Increasing investments in clean energy sources will not only help meet Canada’s climate targets, but also safeguard the Canadian economy.
In addition to scaling up clean energy investments, Canada has a responsibility to do its part in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. The oil and gas industry continues to be the largest source of pollution in the country.
Fortunately, the federal government is currently developing a policy that would limit oil and gas pollution. However, the oil and gas emissions cap has been in development for nearly three years now. The Government of Canada must urgently release the draft regulations and move towards tabling the upcoming oil and gas emissions cap as soon as possible.
The IEA is clear that the world must increase clean energy investments and reduce emissions rapidly to keep the rise in global temperatures to below 1.5 °C. As a wealthy country, Canada has an obligation to do its part in the global effort to fight climate change.
It is becoming clearer that the world needs to phase out fossil fuels, in addition to reducing current greenhouse gas emissions and further intensifying the clean energy rollout. This is an ambitious task, but very much achievable. We have the tools to support a fair phaseout of fossil fuels.
As we approach COP 29 in Azerbaijan next month, countries must heed the advice of IEA and follow through on the recommendations in this year’s World Energy Outlook report. It is only through a coordinated global effort that we can overcome the climate crisis.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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