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Emissions from burning fossil fuels for electricity and transportation are the main driver of climate change. Limiting global warming to less than 2˚C, requires a rapid phase out of fossil fuels including oil, coal, methane and natural gas, and a just transition to renewable energy. By investing in local renewable energy, we can increase energy security, reduce our energy costs and power a clean future.

Research by the David Suzuki Foundation finds 100% affordable, reliable and renewable energy across Canada is possible by 2035 and will bring climate, health and economic benefits to communities.

 


The Policy Details

Subsidies and policies to drive the transition to 100% clean, renewable, affordable energy to reduce––and eventually eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels include:

Harnessing the power of nature, means working with our local environment and understanding how each unique landscape (wind, sun, geothermal, water & more) will allow us to effectively decarbonize our energy system. Democratizing, decentralizing and decolonizing our energy system is also an important element to making clean energy accessible across Canada, particularly in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. This can include community-owned energy projects to cash-back programs such as net metering (allowing solar customers to sell excess energy back to the grid) to other innovative and equitable localized approaches.

As we aim to eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels, we cannot continue to invest in pipelines, ports, gas plants, and other infrastructure. On top of major carbon emissions, continued investment in fossil fuel development and infrastructure will only result in stranded assets, major impacts on our nature-based climate solutions, significant social implications, particularly for Indigenous communities, while creating minimal economic benefits. Instead these investments can be shifted into essential renewable energy (see above) and nature-based solutions (see below) that will provide long-term benefits to Canadians.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: there are no limits to the amount of climate pollution Canada’s oil and gas industry can emit. Despite accounting for only 5% of Canada's economy, the oil and gas industry is Canada’s largest (27%) and fastest-growing source of emissions (increased by 20% since 2005!). We must immediately put a hard cap on oil and gas sector emissions that doesn't include offsets if we’re to stand a chance of meeting critical climate targets.


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