(Ottawa) Canada is still a reliable partner in the fight against climate change, even though greenhouse gas emissions have increased in recent years, argues the new British High Commissioner in Ottawa.
Susannah Goshko told The Canadian Press that the Trudeau government has shown leadership on the world stage in the fight against climate change.
In particular, she points out that Canada has doubled its financial commitments and increased its carbon emission reduction targets. This puts pressure on other countries.
Mme Goshko has spoken on the matter as the UK prepares to chair the next UN climate change conference, COP26, which will take place next month in Glasgow, Scotland.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN OTTAWA
The new British High Commissioner to Ottawa, Susannah Goshko
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to face criticism from his political rivals and environmental groups during the recent election campaign. Carbon emissions continued to increase from 2015 to 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, in Canada.
It is not known whether new federal policies have enabled the country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions over the past two years, but the most recent data has fueled the vision that Canada’s reputation has been tarnished since 2015.
But not in the eyes of the British, according to Mme Goshko.
“It is of course difficult to do what is necessary to achieve our climate goals,” she said. The transition to a carbon neutral economy is really, really tricky. The important thing about Canada is that the will to do it exists. ”
Canada has pledged this year to be carbon neutral by 2050. It has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
This expressed will by the Canadian government demonstrates “Canada’s powerful leadership” in this area, says Mr.me Goshko. It also underlines the joint action of Canada and Germany to convince rich countries to mobilize 100 billion to help poor countries fight climate change.
“This is the kind of leadership we need. All countries must step up their efforts if the next COP is to be a success. ”
She said it is crucial that China, which is the world’s largest emitter of GHGs, play a role at COP26, but the British government is still waiting to know if President Xi Jinping will be present when the conference opens.
The High Commissioner recalls that even though China is very energy intensive, it is the country which invests the most in renewable energies.
Face China
Mme Goshko was a high-ranking adviser to former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab during the period which saw a strengthening of ties between the two countries.
She observed a friendship develop between Mr. Raab and the former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, François-Philippe Champagne, before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mme Goshko reports that his former boss was very keen on deepening UK relations with Canada, especially in the aftermath of Brexit.
This was manifested in continued support for Canada to denounce the arbitrary imprisonment of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were finally released in September.
The diplomat recalls that Canada was one of the first to condemn human rights violations in Hong Kong. He sanctioned China for mistreating the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang province.
“I can’t remember a time when Canada refused to support us on these issues,” she said.
Mme Goshko maintains that military cooperation between the UK and Canada remained strong, especially in eastern Europe and the Arctic.
She maintained that the alliance between the intelligence services of the two countries, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, known as the Five Eyes, remained a high priority for the United Kingdom. Each member country seeks to strengthen its capacities in this area. There is nothing contradictory with the formation of UKUS, a new alliance between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
“I don’t think the UKUS is hurting Five Eyes. It will not make sense to us that one organization operates at the expense of another. ”