OTTAWA (AFP) – Canada released what it called an achievable 2035 greenhouse gas reduction target that environmental groups panned as not ambitious enough.
The target for 2035 would see emissions slashed by 45 to 50 per cent from 2005 levels, on its way to net-zero by mid-century.
But it is only five percentage points above its previous commitment for 2030.
Both objectives would require a major acceleration of the nation’s climate efforts as Ottawa struggles to advance initiatives amid pushback over their costs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority Liberal government has faced growing calls from his main rival, Tory leader Pierre Poilievre, to scrap his centrepiece carbon tax.
Polls show Poilievre leading Trudeau by 20 percentage points, and he has been itching for snap elections.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said the 2035 target “keeps us on track to keep the promise to our kids and grandkids that the world we leave behind for them will be safe, sustainable, affordable and prosperous”.
In a statement he called the target “realistic and achievable”.
