(Quebec) Quebec cannot afford to be absent from COP28, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Dubai, even if the chosen location is questionable, recognizes the Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette.
No question of practicing “the empty chair policy,” he pleaded in an interview with The Canadian Press published on Saturday, suggesting that he will not make any important announcements on site concerning future commitments of his government.
He will fly to the petromonarchy of the Persian Gulf on Sunday to represent Quebec for a week at the most important environmental summit of the year.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Quebec Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette
“I admit that this is not the natural place to hold a COP, but we have no control” over the choice of location, he admitted.
This huge meeting where States agree on targets and means to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is increasingly infiltrated by hydrocarbon lobbies and large polluting companies, according to growing criticism. more audible.
Nevertheless, Quebec must be present at the negotiations as a federated state because the commitments made there have consequences on the policies and action plans of the Legault government.
We cannot refuse to participate and exercise leadership during the official negotiations that will take place to sign important international texts. Despite the place which arouses little enthusiasm, we cannot afford to practice the policy of the empty chair.
Benoit Charette, Quebec Minister of the Environment
Prime Minister François Legault was supposed to go to this COP, but ultimately gave up for security reasons, following the start of the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
It is therefore his Minister of the Environment who will meet in particular with his counterparts from other federated states, the Americas and Europe, to “discuss our respective policies”.
On Thursday, he made it known that he wanted a clear hydrocarbon exit plan in an agreement following the COP, with a precise timetable. A working document intended to be used for the final agreement currently proposes that States decide on a reduction or exit from fossil fuels, depending on what is reported by different media.
Carbon market
After having long sought in vain to recruit new partners for its main GHG reduction system, the carbon exchange, Quebec chose to change strategy, recognized Mr. Charette.
“We changed our approach,” he commented. There is no longer any question of wanting to increase the number of players at all costs.
After Ontario’s withdrawal in 2018, a new player should be added to California and Quebec in this market within one to two years, namely the State of Washington, if negotiations continue to go well.
“It’s going in the right direction,” said Mr. Charette.
The carbon market is a cap-and-trade system (SPEDE) for GHG emissions rights between large emitters. The maximum ceiling decreases from year to year and companies are encouraged to further reduce their emissions and then resell carbon credits to other companies that cannot do so.
There are aspiring states that would eventually like to join the carbon market, but “the danger is twofold,” explained Mr. Charette.
Firstly, we are not entirely certain of the reduction in emissions that have actually materialized in the states that are considering joining, whereas with California, the protocols are well established and we can trust the partner, he detailed.
Second, Quebec would increase its trade deficit since businesses here buy more carbon credits from California than they sell.
“So the goal is more to seek out partners who want to buy our credits that we are able to sell,” summarized Mr. Charette.
Remember that COP28 is a continuation of the 2015 Paris agreement, which aims to reduce GHG emissions in order to limit the overall average increase to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius, or ideally 1.5 degrees. temperature compared to pre-industrial times.