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Wednesday June 10, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday June 10, 2015 Prime Minister Stephen Harper agrees to G7 'decarbonization' by 2100 Prime Minister Stephen Harper has agreed to a G7 commitment to deep cuts in carbon emissions by 2050 Ñ with an eventual stop in the use of fossil fuels by the end of the century. The call for a low-carbon footprint will "require a transformation in our energy sectors," Harper said Monday at a news conference in Germany, following the two-day G7 summit. "Nobody's going to start to shut down their industries or turn off the lights," he said. "We've simply got to find a way to create lower-carbon emitting sources of energy Ñ and that work is ongoing." Canada and Japan blocked attempts at a stronger statement on binding greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to The Canadian Press sources who saw a working draft of the G7 communiquŽ, which was released today as the summit wrapped up. "We emphasize that deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions are required with a decarbonization of the global economy over the course of this century," the G7 leaders said in their final communiquŽ. "We commit to doing our part to achieve a low-carbon global economy in the long-term including developing and deploying innovative technologies striving for a transformation of the energy sectors by 2050 and invite all countries to join us in this endeavour." German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been pushing the G7 to endorse a pledge to reach zero carbon emissions. "Canada and Japan are the most concerned about this one," said one source who was privy to discussions but would only speak on the condition of anonymity. "The two of those countries have been the most difficult on every issue on climate." During question period on Monday, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said the government's role in "toning down" the communiquŽ leaves "Canada with an environmental black eye on the world stage." (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/poli

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 10, 2015

Prime Minister Stephen Harper agrees to G7 ‘decarbonization’ by 2100

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has agreed to a G7 commitment to deep cuts in carbon emissions by 2050 — with an eventual stop in the use of fossil fuels by the end of the century.

The call for a low-carbon footprint will “require a transformation in our energy sectors,” Harper said Monday at a news conference in Germany, following the two-day G7 summit.

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday May 16, 2015 CanadaÕs new emissions target far from ambitious, critics say Canada has set a new greenhouse gas emission reduction target as it prepares for international talks later this year, but critics say the goal is the weakest among G7 countries. Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said Friday that Canada proposes to cut emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 Ñ a target she called Òfair and ambitious.Ó Speaking in Winnipeg, Aglukkaq promised to introduce new regulations on methane emissions produced by the oil and gas industry. There will also be new rules for natural gas-fired power generation and for the chemical and nitrogen fertilizer industries. ÒThis target is . . . an ambitious commitment based on our national circumstances, which include a growing population, a diversified, growing economy and CanadaÕs position as a world leader in clean electricity generation.Ó The target is slightly weaker than that of the United States, which has pledged to cut its greenhouse emissions by up to 28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2025. Canada, the U.S. and other countries are taking their targets to a United Nations conference later this year in Paris, where a new international emissions regime is to be negotiated. Environmental groups said CanadaÕs target is anything but ambitious. ÒThe European Union, already with per-capita emissions well below CanadaÕs, has a 40 per cent reduction target for 2030 Ñ more than five times greater than CanadaÕs,Ó the group Environmental Defence said in a statement. ÒTo keep our people, communities and economy safe requires that Canada join the global community in making deep cuts to carbon pollution by shifting away from burning coal, oil and gas,Ó read a statement from the Climate Action Network. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/05/15/canada-sets-new-target-to-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html Canada, Climate

“Nobody’s going to start to shut down their industries or turn off the lights,” he said. “We’ve simply got to find a way to create lower-carbon emitting sources of energy — and that work is ongoing.”

Canada and Japan blocked attempts at a stronger statement on binding greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to The Canadian Press sources who saw a working draft of the G7 communiqué, which was released today as the summit wrapped up.

“We emphasize that deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions are required with a decarbonization of the global economy over the course of this century,” the G7 leaders said in their final communiqué.

“We commit to doing our part to achieve a low-carbon global economy in the long-term including developing and deploying innovative technologies striving for a transformation of the energy sectors by 2050 and invite all countries to join us in this endeavour.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been pushing the G7 to endorse a pledge to reach zero carbon emissions.

“Canada and Japan are the most concerned about this one,” said one source who was privy to discussions but would only speak on the condition of anonymity. “The two of those countries have been the most difficult on every issue on climate.”

During question period on Monday, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said the government’s role in “toning down” the communiqué leaves “Canada with an environmental black eye on the world stage.” (Source: CBC News)