Climate Policy International

FOSSIL FUEL PHASE OUT

We believe we need a fossil fuel phase out where we cap fossil fuel production, not just emissions. There is no room for new oil and gas fields or coal mines to be opened anywhere in the world. In multilateral forums we need to see clear signals where developed countries take the lead.

Only five developed countries (UK, US, NOR, CAN, AUS) are responsible for the majority of the expansion of oil and gas projects over the next 25 years. We are too silent on the developed countries’ responsibility, both historically and currently, to phase out fossil fuels first. This is the major brake we need to achieve a just and equitable global energy transition.

AMBITIOUS OIL AND GAS EMISSIONS CAP

Canada fair share of global effort to limit warming means a strong domestic greenhouse gas emissions cap to cut the sector’s emissions by 60% below 2005 levels by 2030, with zero compliance flexibility, offsets, and loopholes. We must cap fossil fuel production, not just emissions. Fossil fuel subsidies are impeding us and incentivizing pollution.

ORCIE-BCRÉI recommends all investment in the further build-out of fossil-fuel infrastructure in Canada end immediately. In this way Canada will be focusing on the most impactful and efficient way to reduce emissions, and limiting its investment in dangerous distractions, like carbon capture and storage, the most expensive and least effective method to reduce emissions in the sector.

STRONG LOSS AND DAMAGE

Loss and damage is now the third pillar of climate policy architecture, along with mitigation and adaptation, and should be identified as a form of climate reparations. We need commitments to predictable, grant-based, additional and adequate support for developing countries.

The absence of financial commitments from developed countries, in particular in relation to their climate finance obligations, is a major obstacle to implementing any COP decisions, and severely weakens the consensus reached. An unjust or unfunded agreement for fossil fuel phase out and renewable energy phase in puts at risk an urgent energy transition.

THE DISCONNECT

Civil society and faith based groups like ORCIE-BCRÉI have an important role tracking the misalignment between governments planned fossil fuel production and global production levels consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.

We urgently need public finance policy, priorities, and governance to push instead towards a just energy transition rooted in collective wellbeing and global and local equity. There is no shortage of public money available to do this, it is just poorly distributed, flowing to fossil fuels and the super-rich instead of shared priorities.

CHANGE FROM BELOW

In Laudate Deum (31.), Pope Francis does not hesitate to encourage increased advocacy for the just energy transition. ‘The demands that rise up from below throughout the world, where activists from very different countries help and support one another, can end up pressuring the sources of power. For this reason, I reiterate that “unless citizens control political power – national, regional and municipal – it will not be possible to control damage to the environment.’ Combining our forces to build momentum, faith groups give voice to a message of hope, peace and reconciliation instead of tariffs, acquisition and submission. This is a much needed paradigm shift where the Christian church is called to defend and to protect the wellbeing of people and the environment.