Canada 'Worst Developed Nation" on Climate Change

We're Number Last, We're Number Last.

Canada, our very home and native land, has won last place as the worst developed nation when it comes to climate change.  Dead last, that's us.

Yet when placed in an even bigger basket of 61-countries, Canada was only fourth worst, trailed by Kazakhstan, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

“At a time when institutions such as the World Bank and the International Energy Agency are calling for more climate action it is disappointing to have so many countries still being reluctant to move forward. Canada is a strong example of this lack of willingness to improve climate policies,” said Wendel Trio, Director of the European Climate Action Network.

The report examines current emissions levels, development of emissions, renewable energy, efficiency, and climate policy. Canada scores the lowest ranking of ‘very poor’ with respect to current emissions, renewable energy, and climate policy. On efficiency Canada is given a ranking of ‘poor’, and in development of emissions a ranking of ‘good,’ with a strong caveat that it is not cause for celebration if progress in some sectors is completely negated by soaring emissions from the oil and gas sector.

Environment Canada reports show that the government does not have the policies in place necessary to meet their current goals, which have been widely criticized for being among the weakest in the industrialized world. Canada was the only country to weaken its climate target under the Copenhagen Accord and has since become the only country to withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. 

This indifference and inaction in the face of global climate change has drawn sharp criticism from leaders around the world.

The report comes as Ministers and high-level officials arrive in Doha, Qatar for the conclusion of this year’s United Nations climate change conference. Canada has also been singled out at these negotiations for failing to live up to commitments to support poorer countries as they adapt to a problem they did nothing to create.

“The world has had enough of Canada’s inaction on climate change – it is clear that this government’s reckless fixation on the tar sands is going to cost us not only a safe and healthy future and economy for our children, but also our international credibility,” says Steven Guilbeault of Equiterre.

The full report can be found here.