We are delighted, Mr. Premier, to learn that you want to make Quebec the first territory in the world to completely eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, we would like to inform you of the serious reservations we have about an energy transition strategy that would aim to develop renewable sectors in all directions and to use this lever as bait to stimulate economic growth that would not be sustainable. We fear that such an approach, however well intentioned, will irreparably compromise the success of the transition.
Certainly, energy is a central issue of decarbonization: we must urgently completely free ourselves from fossil fuels—gasoline, fuel oil, diesel, natural gas, coal—which are responsible for 70% of the GHGs emitted in Quebec. However, it would not be appropriate to do so by indiscriminately converting everything we produce and consume to electricity and gas from renewable sources, and launching mega-projects for the production of renewable energies for this purpose without attacked first to reduce the demand for energy.
Indeed, increasing renewable energy production capacity is only one of the ways to facilitate the decarbonization of Quebec. It must be done in a targeted, measured and strictly framed manner, while respecting the support capacities of the ecosystems and the rights of the populations affected by these projects, in particular the indigenous communities. There are several reasons for this.
The availability of the metals required to fabricate renewable energy infrastructure is anything but guaranteed. Recent research even indicates that, on a global scale, the current reserves of certain metals would not be sufficient to manufacture a single generation of renewable energy production equipment to replace the fossil fuels currently consumed. This situation could lead to a surge in prices that would economically benefit certain territories, perhaps even Quebec, in the short term, but would hinder the fight against global warming for the entire planet.
In a context of acute degradation of ecosystems and mass extinction of species, the ecological consequences of the extraction of these metals and the construction of large dams are less and less tolerable and less and less tolerated, as are the impacts social issues that often accompany them, including on indigenous communities. Furthermore, although some small-scale bioenergy production facilities may be justified, the environmental impacts of large-scale production of fuels from biomass are well known. Finally, the low energy yield and the high cost of producing “green” hydrogen make it a solution to be reserved for uses that cannot be converted to electricity, so-called “no regrets” uses.
In short, without excluding a priori any new renewable energy production capacity, such as wind and solar, we must prioritize another avenue, infinitely less risky and more promising: energy sobriety.
The latest IPCC report proposes a “low demand” trajectory, which is the only one with a “reasonable” hope of containing global warming below 1.5°C without overshoot and without relying on capture and storage technologies carbon, the proof of which remains to be done, both in terms of costs and in terms of effectiveness. It is reminded that the well-being of people depends on the services provided to them and not on the quantity of primary energy available to them.
However, IPCC scientists indicate that by using infrastructure differently and by transforming the ways of providing services, it would be possible to reduce upstream energy demand by 45% in 2050 compared to 2020. Global strategies reductions in demand across all sectors could reduce GHG emissions by 40-70% in 2050 compared to two scenarios based on policies announced by national governments through 2020; these strategies are compatible with improving basic well-being for all.
We want to believe you, Prime Minister, when you say you want to make Quebec the leader in the fight against global warming, because “we owe that to our children”. Unfortunately, you are not yet on the right track to get there. Will you rather choose sobriety, essential for a transition towards viability?
Do not turn your back on children. Pave the way to make Quebec the economy that respects the limits of the planet the most, the cleanest territory, the most teeming with life on Earth. Show leadership commensurate with the challenges posed by the climate crisis!
* The complete list of signatories:
Laure Waridel, PhD ecosociologist, author and co-instigator of Mères au front
Eric Pineault, professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, UQAM
Martin Vaillancourt, Director General of the National Group of Regional Environmental Councils of Quebec (RNCREQ)
Jean-François Boisvert, President, Montreal Climate Coalition
Mireille Asselin, President, L’Assomption en transition
Bruno Detuncq, Quebec Hydrocarbon Vigilance Group (RVHQ)
Étienne Guertin, PhD candidate in modeling carbon neutral transitions, Concordia University
Patrick Bonin, Climate-Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace Canada
Charles Bonhomme, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, David Suzuki Foundation
Émile Boisseau-Bouvier, Climate Policy Analyst, Équiterre