and the ghost of climate future: last week’s report by the federal commissioner of the environment and sustainable development concluding that canada is not on track to meet its 2030 emissions target.
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the first is required by law. the canadian net-zero emissions accountability act requires the federal government to draft climate plans and publish reports about the implementation of these plans. the first of these progress reports is due by the end of 2023.
the report must make the case for policies like the oil and gas emissions cap and clean electricity regulations , policies that — if strong enough — will help get us back on track. an honest appraisal of our current status and a credible plan to meet our targets will help regain the support of a large demographic: climate-anxious citizens.
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the second opportunity comes at the first-ever “global stocktake” under the paris agreement, taking place in december at the cop 28 international climate conference in dubai. the stocktake is a check-in on the international community’s collective progress — or lack thereof — on slashing ghg emissions, building resilience to climate impacts, and securing finance and support to address the climate crisis.
matt hulse is a lawyer at ecojustice working on federal climate accountability. caroline brouillette is the executive director of climate action network canad a.
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editor’s note: this article has been updated to clarify federal funding for heat pumps for low-income households.