In a recent article Nicole Mortillaro of the CBC reports that the Earth is set to warm 3.2 C by 2100 unless efforts to cut emissions are tripled according to a new UN report.
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| Sea level rise |
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its annual Emissions Gap Report on Nov 26, 2019. — 168 pages, compiled by 57 leading scientists from 33 institutions across 25 countries — calling on governments to act immediately, within the next decade, to limit global warming to 1.5 C or 2 C by 2100.
Some key highlights from the report include:
Canada has not committed to a target that is in line with this scenario.1
The Eco Fiscal Commission claims that a climate change plan without a price on carbon is like a house without a foundation. Pollution pricing works. It’s working around the world. It’s working here in Canada.
It’s working around the world. It’s working here in Canada…The fight over whether the Liberals intend to raise the carbon tax became a flashpoint during the recent election campaign, with Andrew Scheer and his Conservatives branding the measure a "job-killing tax" and promising to scrap it if elected.
"We do have options to get to 2030 but some of the options are, frankly, pretty ugly," said Chris Ragan, economist and chair of the Ecofiscal Commission.
He cited the example of the "very expensive subsidies" that some have pitched as a response to climate change — corporate or industrial subsidies to fund things like carbon-capture systems, or household subsidies to lower the cost of purchasing electric vehicles or green renovations. Such subsidies would have a lower political profile than a carbon tax. Ragan said they'd also demand personal or corporate tax increases to pay for them.
"The punchline really is, the more hidden your policy choices, the more expensive they are," he said.2
Salimah Shivji of CBC News reports that the carbon tax must hit $210 per tonne by 2030 to meet Paris targets. The tax remains the most cost-effective tool for fighting climate change, says Ecofiscal Commission.
The report's data show a scenario combining stricter regulations (requiring companies to cut the intensity of their emissions in half, for example) and substantial subsidies for electric vehicle purchases could end up forcing an income tax hike of roughly 1.5 to 2 per cent for Canadians and corporations, depending on the province.
The report also says a scenario relying on regulations and subsidies for industries alone would cost even more — roughly a 4 to 6 per cent spike in income taxes. The commission concluded that a industry-focused regulation-only model would end up depressing Canada's GDP — and likely would fail to allow Canada to meet its current Paris target of a 30 per cent reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.3
In its report, the Ecofiscal Commission concluded that, even though it's more visible and politically controversial, the carbon tax remains the most cost-effective approach to fighting climate change.
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| Options for carbon pricing |
Canadians agree that we need to do more to combat climate change. We need a strong and credible plan to do so. Carbon pricing is a practical, meaningful and fair way to reduce the pollution that is destabilizing our climate and threatening our health.
In Alberta, in 2016, the government announced the elimination of coal power generation, to occur by 2030. Coal workers affected by the phase out can access financial, employment and retraining programs to support their transition.
The Coal Workforce Transition Program provides financial assistance for re-employment, retirement, relocation and education as workers prepare to start new jobs or retire.
To be eligible for financial support programs, employees must have worked for one or more of the affected coal-fired power plants or mines for at least one year immediately prior to receiving a layoff notice effective Jan 2, 2018, or later.
Employees bumped by thermal coal plant workers and apprentices in their training period may also be eligible for financial assistance.4
The relationship between global temperature and GHG emissions is the science that mandates immediate reduction of these emissions on a global basis.
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| Science of increased emissions |
A Carbon Tax is the most effective way to create the incentive for large polluters to transition to more responsible use of fossil fuels.
References
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