(Edinburgh, United Kingdom) François Legault is not “eco-anxiety”. Criticized for his project for a third road link between Quebec and Lévis, he presents himself rather at the United Nations climate summit as an “optimist” who anticipates “many opportunities” for Quebec in the electrification of transport. He promises that increasing road service will not prevent reaching the greenhouse gas reduction targets set by the province.
“I share the sense of urgency. […] There is a change of direction to be given and that is one of the reasons why I am here. I join my voice to all those who say that we must act and that it is urgent, but without becoming anxious. I remain optimistic all the same, ”said the Prime Minister to Press during an interview on his arrival in Scotland for COP26.
“Ecoanxiety”, which in some people translates into anxiety about the consequences of climate change, is a phenomenon that is increasingly discussed in the public sphere. Last summer, the International Panel of Climate Experts (the IPCC) recalled that it was one to midnight to limit global warming to 2 ° C. In Glasgow, negotiators from nearly 200 countries will try to find mechanisms in the coming days so that the rise in temperatures does not exceed 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times.
“Without being anxious, I think we still have a huge challenge [pour convaincre] China, India, to go faster. […] When you look at the results, and I am a results guy, things are progressing well in Quebec, “said Mr. Legault, while a government document prepared for COP26 recalls that the province is” the state in North America. which emits the least GHGs per inhabitant ”.
Compromised targets?
In this document, which bears the title Unmissable Quebec (which sets the tone for the Quebec delegation in Glasgow), the government recalls that it has set itself the objective for 2030 of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5% compared to the 1990 level, in addition to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050.
The premier affirms that these targets will not be compromised by the third link megaproject, even if GHG emissions from the transport sector have increased in Quebec and experts, including those from the Center de recherche en aménagement et développement (CRAD) of Laval University on Tuesday in the Quebecor media, believe that the project risks increasing urban sprawl.
“We need a lot of investment in public transport in Quebec, and here we are at a historic level with 55 billion over ten years,” said Mr. Legault. But converting the third link – which could cost as much as $ 10 billion – into a project entirely dedicated to public transit is not in the government’s plans.
” In [la région de Chaudière-Appalaches], there is not a sufficient volume, concentration [de population] to provide public transportation everywhere. […] [Et] By the time we get to the construction of the third link, there will be more electric cars. […] We will achieve our 2030 target, ”promises the Prime Minister.
Invest in clean technologies
The President and CEO of Écotech Quebec, Denis Leclerc, who is part of the Quebec delegation accompanying the Prime Minister to COP26, is campaigning for the province to adopt a Technology Integration Policy. specific to new buildings and government sites. According to him, 1% of the budget for new public projects should be devoted to green technologies.
“The government needs to lead by example by using public bodies and ministries as test beds, [en appuyant] local innovation demonstration projects. Clean technology innovators need a place to demonstrate the economic and climate benefits of their innovations, ”he told Press on the sidelines of a round table of the Quebec trade delegation in Edinburgh.
In terms of clean technologies, François Legault sees “great opportunities” for Quebec, particularly in the hydroelectricity and green hydrogen sectors “which will eventually replace the gas or fuel oil used by several industries,” said he. The Prime Minister, who will be in Glasgow on Wednesday for COP26, promises to make announcements to demonstrate that the green economy can be combined with GHG reduction.