But they are also wrong because Canadians are among the largest energy consumers and carbon producers on Earth – think twice as much as the average European. It is we who are driving climate change by our unsustainable use of fossil fuels. So personal action that involves more than marching is required – involving changing consumer choices and behaviours that will hit the pocketbook.
It’s not going to be easy, but it can be done. The report of the non-partisan Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance released last June and a report issued last week by the Business Council of Canada, A Better Future for Canadiansboth contain practical recommendations on how to do this. Here are three climate-related priorities – supported by both reports – that require collaboration and should be acted on immediately.
How can we act if we don’t know where we’re going? Who knows what a commitment of “net-zero emissions by 2050” actually means to the economy? Developing a set of milestones that transcend election cycles will provide a focus for public and private spending priorities. It will help Canadians understand where the jobs of the future will be. The vision must inspire so that it drives people to act – climate change is not only a challenge, it’s also a tremendous economic opportunity.
Updating our tax system can provide powerful tools for transition. Incentives can be provided to companies through targeted tax credits or grants. With our heavily resource-weighted stock exchanges, institutional investors should invest in those companies that take action to significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
globebusiness No, because climate alarmism has taken every seat at the table.
globebusiness You bet let's talk about how to reshape canada as a world leader in using less fossil fuels!