Media Release EMBARGOED UNTIL 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time / 8 PM Eastern European Standard Time, Thursday, November 17, 2022Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt - On Thursday November 17th, 12 PM Eastern Time ,/ 7 PM Eastern European Standard Time organizations and community leaders from Canada and Germany presented a joint open letter to Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Minister, Steven Guilbault at COP27. The letter outlines concerns that three proposed export LNG projects located on Canada’s East Coast will exceed global carbon pollution budgets and nullify both countries’ climate commitments. Comments made by Canadian leaders, including Canada’s Deputy Minister Freeland, indicate they are willing to “fast-track” LNG in the name of helping allies or “friend shoring” - even though such projects will accelerate the climate crisis and make the world less stable. “The East Coast of Canada was just hammered by tropical storm Fiona, which caused loss of lives and homes, and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. To have Canada and Germany horse-trading over projects that will add fuel to raging climate fires is unacceptable and unjust.” according to Jim Emberger, New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance. “As the world meets at COP27 to shore up climate commitments, we need answers on these projects.“ The letter cites an Abacus Data poll, conducted June 17-21, 2022, which found more Canadians believe climate impacts should be a deciding factor in whether to approve or reject a new LNG export facility. In the Atlantic provinces, 52% agree climate should be a deciding factor - double the 21% who disagree. All three of the Canadian provinces where proposed gas projects are planned are home to grassroots movements that have successfully stopped fracking and gas infrastructure within their jurisdictions. “At COP26, both Canada and Germany committed to stop subsidizing fossil fuels by the end of 2022. The German government needs to stand by its climate commitments and stop any speculation that it will waste public money by subsidizing gas plants in Canada or anywhere else. Instead, Germany needs to expand support for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, at home and abroad.” according to Andy Gheorghiu, climate campaigner and co-founder of the German Climate Alliance against LNG. “We know that each of these proposed projects will destroy our ability to keep provincial climate commitments. The Goldboro project was also opposed by Mik’maq Grassroots Grandmothers due to planned construction of ‘man-camps’, which are known to be dangerous environments for Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people.” according to Mary Best, Council of Canadians . “In spite of these issues, the federal government continues to resist applying a federal impact assessment to these projects. On the occasion of COP27, we need to know if Canada will continue to lag behind the rest of the world with regard to expanding fossil fuel infrastructure and subsidies, or if our leaders are willing to listen to Canadians and begin to turn the tide.” “It is alarming that Canada is willing to abandon its global climate commitments and the promise it made to Canadians to apply impact assessments that include a climate lens and would require consultation with Indigenous people. We need answers on where Canada stands on LNG. In a world being rocked by one climate disaster after another, Canada cannot continue to try to stand sideways while claiming to be a climate leader,” according to Gretchen Fitzgerald, National Programs Director of Sierra Club Canada Foundation. “Canadian politicians continue to deliver passionate speeches on the world stage committing to strong climate action. Approving new LNG on the East Coast of Canada would contradict these commitments causing new climate damaging emissions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said “investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is moral and economic madness”. Brenna Walsh, Energy Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre. -30- For more information, please contact: Gretchen Fitzgerald National Programs Director, Sierra Club Canada Foundation, Mobile / WhatsApp: 1-902-444-7096, gretchenf@sierraclub.ca Jim Emberger, New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance, 506 367-2658, shaleinfo.nb@gmail.com Mary Best Atlantic Regional Organizer, The Council of Canadians, Mobile 1-613-617-0681 mbest@canadians.org Brenna Walsh Energy Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre, brenna.walsh@ecologyaction.ca, 1-514-575-3542 Andy Gheorghiu Climate Campaigner/Consultant, Co-Founder of German Climate Alliance Against LNG, andy.gheorghiu@mail.de, +49 160 20 30 974 |
