Canada near bottom in climate action rankings

The former interim leader of the Green Party of Canada is disappointed with the country's dismal showing in an updated climate change performance index (CCPI).

“Canadians should be ashamed of what we read in this report,” said Jo-ann Roberts, who ran for the Green Party in Halifax in the 2019 federal election.

“Overall, we're at the bottom of the list of 61 countries on their climate change performance. Only Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States are worse than us when it comes to tackling climate change.”

The report, which ranks more than 60 countries and the European Union nations as a single entity in the categories of greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, overall energy use and climate policies, rated Canada as 58th.

Last year, Canada ranked No. 55.

In the separate categories, Canada ranked as very poor in each of the greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy and overall energy use ratings. It was No. 56 among greenhouse gas emitters, 54th in renewable energy and 61st in overall energy use.

There was some sign of hope in the climate policy, with Canada claiming a No. 29 ranking for a medium rating. That score was based on low marks for national policy but a medium ranking for international climate policy.

“We are better than this,” Roberts said. “We were proud of our prime minister when he went to the Paris talks in 2015 and said ‘Canada's back!'

“It is time to do more than talk about tackling climate change and start doing something. The only score that kept us from being last in this report is that we're in 29th place when it comes to climate policy. What's really upsetting is that we're dead last, 61st out of 61, when it comes to energy efficiency. You have to wonder why we're not changing our building codes and making our homes and buildings more energy efficient. It's good for all of us, it saves us money and it's good for the planet. However, it also cuts into the profits of energy producers and they seem to have more lobbying power and influence over our government than the pressure from voters to do the right thing.”

The countries surveyed for the index create more than 90 per cent of global GHG emissions and none of them are on a path compatible with the Paris Agreement goals.

Overall, greenhouse gas emissions have increased slightly but are actually falling in more than half (32) of the countries surveyed.

Seven EU countries and the EU as a whole lead the way in the climate change fight.

Portugal (from 25th to 17th place) and New Zealand (37th to 28th) are among the biggest climbers.

The United States sits at the bottom of the ranking, below Saudi Arabia (60). The U.S. is joined as bottom-feeders by the vast majority of G-20 countries with Canada at 58, Australia (54th), South Korea (53rd) and Russia (52nd) all rated as “very low.”

Only three G-20 members — the United Kingdom (fifth), India (10th) and the EU — score high on the index.

Three developing nations — Morocco (seventh), Chile (ninth) and India (10) — are among the top-10 performers.

Roberts said the time for talking policy is over, and it's time Canada joined the world leaders on the climate change issue and started “making some practical changes that ensure we have a fighting chance in this climate emergency.”

Robert said Canada is not cutting emissions as well as other countries, including developing countries like Morocco.

“China, India and Russia are all doing better than we are,” Roberts said. “We're also not moving as quickly as other countries on adapting renewable energy technologies. We're 54th out of 61.

“If one of my children brought this report card home from school, I would be upset. There would be an immediate plan for improvement. Canada has a chance to do better. Our goal should be to win the award for the ‘most improved' on this report next year. To do that, we need to start by putting some teeth in Bill C-12, the Climate Accountability Act introduced last month by the Trudeau government. We need to see C-12 amended to include a strong target for 2025 and penalties if we don't reach it.”

The report comes a few days before the EU summit on climate targets for 2030 and the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit on Dec. 12 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.