There are a number of organizations that generate important climate change research and outcomes in Canada. Many are members of Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac), a coalition of more than 100 organizations from across Canada. Individual efforts can be found as well through universities, businesses, and institutes. Climate funding may come from foundations, businesses, individuals, special events, service contracts, gifting, solicitations, three levels of government, and even international grantees on recommendations and standards through publications, and policy advocacy. Advocacy ranges from climate stability to energy use, renewables, waste, water, the oil sands, wildlife, biodiversity, cities, conservation, buildings, Indigenous issues, transportation, a green economy, the list is endless.
CAN-Rac achievements are a strong example of climate mitigation impacts toward domestic and international climate decision-makers’ buy-in. Past advocacy includes enhancing the Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth (PCFCCCG) policy to achieve Paris Agreement targets, carbon pricing, methane regulations and several federal environmental law reforms. CAN-Rac’s mission is to combat climate change, particularly by building social consensus for the implementation of comprehensive climate change action plans by all levels of government, based on the best available science, with specific policies, targets, timetables and reporting, and to work with Canada’s governments, First Nations, Inuit and Métis, private sector, labour, and civil society for the effective implementation of these plans.
CAN-Rac has three priorities: helping CAN-Rac’s membership; policy development and advocacy with federal, provincial and municipal governments; and building Canada’s capacity to engage in the international arena of climate change. With just 6 staff and funding primarily through foundations, non-profits, government, individuals and memberships, it has a robust agenda that is challenging to even keep up with.
Here are four examples of major work CAN-Rac has participated in recently:
1.CAN-Rac wrote to the Prime Minister’s office on September 13 to request a climate action vision be at the forefront of the upcoming September 23 throne speech to reach zero emissions by 2050. A number of actions were included. Several CAN-Rac members endorsed this ask.
2.CAN-Rac’s August 28th submission toward Canada’s proposed mitigation finance for an equitable and international post-2020 finance package, The Equity and International Mitigation Finance Report, discusses policies to prevent future pandemics and to ensure global warming limits of no more than 1.5°C support 2030 and 2050 targets.
3.The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s July report given to key federal ministers has seven principles to align COVID-19 recovery with Canada’s climate commitments entitled Green Strings, the IISD Report. It asks that these conditions be applied to government measures for green economic recovery from COVID-19, for example, concrete plans for net-zero emissions by 2050, with immediate action for reducing emissions in key high-carbon sectors. 12 leading Canadian environment groups signed and took action on the report including CAN-Rac.
4.The credibility of the PCFCCCG hinges on accountability measures used in financial planning – budgets, independent audits, long and short term plans, etc. to address climate change thus CAN-Rac has been championing The Policy Brief A New Canadian Climate Accountability Act since 2016. This was compiled by CAN-Rac and 5 member organizations. CAN-Rac estimations recommend reducing Canada’s emissions by 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Visit www.canrac.com/reports for CAN-Rac’s 2018-2019 annual report
Activity Ranking: **** Good Move
CAN-Rac Canada is a thriving member of Climate Action Network-International, a global network of more than 1,100 non-profits in more than 120 countries, working to promote government and individual action on climate change.
Take Action:
To demonstrate support, please contact Catherine Abreu, Executive Director’s team, Climate Action Network Canada with the following message:
Congratulations on your tireless energy and commitment given to your organization. Your engagement of members and front-line advocacy on domestic and international fronts is critical to moving Canada as a leader on climate change. Climate Scorecard is pleased to be a member.
Contact
Catherine Abreau, Executive Director’s team, Climate Action Network Canada
Email: nhattan@climateactionnetwork.ca
Mail: 305 – 75 Albert Street, Ottawa, On K1P 5E7
Phone: 1-855-254-6638
For more information please email Climate Scorecard Canadian Country Manager: Diane Szoller at Canada@climatescorecard.org
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