By John Drexhage, Deborah Murphy, CIC, 2010. Commentary, copyright: CIC
The government of Canada has decided that its climate change response will be closely linked to that of the United States. However, Canada does not yet have a full elaboration of how it will meet its Copenhagen target of a 17 per cent reduction from 2005 levels by 2020, and is unlikely to develop such a plan until there is clarification on how the United States will meet its target. While Canada may need to wait for the United States before deciding on a carbon pricing system, that should not stop Canada from exploring other initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, concludes a new paper released today by the Canadian International Council (CIC).
Climate Change and Foreign Policy in Canada: Intersection and Influence argues that the Copenhagen Accord has the potential to develop a solid foundation and framework to help countries begin to respond effectively to climate change. Strong action is needed in Canada and other developed countries.
Access the report here.
About the International Institute for Sustainable Development
The world is challenged by a changing climate, biodiversity loss, abject poverty and environmental degradation. What can make a difference? Good ideas. Creativity. Passion. Innovation. The achievement of change.
IISD is in the business of promoting change towards sustainable development. As a policy research institute dedicated to effective communication of our findings, we engage decision-makers in government, business, NGOs and other sectors in the development and implementation of policies that are simultaneously beneficial to the global economy, the global environment and to social well-being.
In the pursuit of sustainable development, we promote open and effective international negotiation processes. And we believe fervently in the importance of building our own institutional capacity while helping our partner organizations in the developing world to excel.
Established in 1990, IISD is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization with a diverse team of more than 150 people located in more than 30 countries. Through our dynamic portfolio of projects, we partner with more than 200 organizations throughout the world. To learn more about our history, please visit the IISD Timeline.
Please click on the “Our Knowledge” button above to learn more about our project work and programs, which are guided by our strategic institutional directions. And please visit our IISD Linkages site to follow our coverage of international negotiations on environment and development.
IISD is registered as a charitable organization in Canada and has 501(c)(3) status in the United States. IISD receives core operating support from the Government of Canada, provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Environment Canada; and from the Province of Manitoba. The Institute receives project funding from numerous governments inside and outside Canada, United Nations agencies, foundations, the private sector and individual donors.