Quebec is being asked to implement “profound changes” to achieve its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. In its latest report, the advisory committee on climate change also reminds the Legault government of its duty to “set an example” and be “consistent” in order to better mobilize Quebec society on the path to decarbonization.
“We have a fairly simple message. We need to implement profound changes, because you understand, we are clearly not doing enough,” says Alain Webster, president of the advisory committee on climate change, responsible for advising the Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette.
The expert committee proposes 26 recommendations grouped into six strategic axes in order to accelerate the transition in Quebec. In particular, the government must implement structural changes to decarbonize Quebec. “We need to have a vision that is more systematic, that is more coherent. It seems banal, but it is not simple in government action to be able to accelerate this exit from fossil fuels,” says Mr. Webster.
The six proposed axes
- Implement more structural changes.
- Developing new tools for managing the climate transition.
- Increase carbon pricing and increase the use of eco-taxation.
- Increase adaptation efforts to make all sectors of society and natural ecosystems more resilient.
- Integrating equity across the board into climate policies.
- Accelerate the mobilization of the whole of society.
“The state must use all the levers at its disposal to achieve this,” adds Alain Webster. “Regulatory levers, eco-taxation levers, and mobilization issues. This is an element that seems essential to us. Why is it important? Because the current trajectory of emissions in Quebec is simply not aligned with the strategies proposed by the IPCC.” […] We are not aligned with rapid decarbonization.”
Between 1990 and 2021, Quebec reduced its emissions by 8.9% while the objective is 37.5%.
More details to come.