Latest news with #climateAction
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Quebec dials back emissions projections due to global uncertainty
The Quebec government is scaling back its projections for greenhouse gas emissions reductions due to the Trump administration. A report published Thursday by the province's Environment Department says the current U.S. government has created a 'challenging environment for advancing climate action.' It points in particular to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs, which it says have slowed down business investment, including in decarbonization. It also says the administration's attempts to challenge carbon pricing mechanisms in various U.S. states were 'exerting downward pressure on market prices.' 'The economic and political uncertainty caused by the new U.S. federal administration ... does not allow the deployment of measures as quickly and effectively as planned,' the report says. The government now estimates that measures being adopted in Quebec to reduce emissions will account for 65 per cent of the cuts needed to reach the province's 2030 emissions target, down from a projected 67 per cent last year. Quebec is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5 per cent compared to 1990 levels by 2030. That's a drop of about 30 million tonnes from projected emissions in the absence of climate policies. The new report is an annual update on the province's progress toward meeting that goal. It estimates that planned measures will cut emissions by 19.4 million tonnes in 2030, a slight drop from last year's projections. The document also says the Canadian government's decision to scrap the federal consumer carbon price in April could harm the competitiveness of Quebec businesses. 'Uncertainty remains regarding the actions that will be taken by the federal government to combat climate change,' it reads. Quebec has so far maintained its own cap-and-trade carbon pricing system, which is linked with California's system. The report says Quebec's carbon price is a major driver of emissions reductions in the province, and revenue from the carbon market is an important source of funding for other climate measures in the government's plan. The report highlights $10.1 billion in planned government spending over the next five years, much of it to reduce emissions from transportation, industry and housing. It says new initiatives under development could lead to further emissions cuts and could get the province to between 67 and 72 per cent of its 2030 target. Despite dialling back its projections, the government says greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 0.9 million tonnes in Quebec between 2022 and 2023, and have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The report also says there was a record number of electric-vehicle sales in Quebec in 2024, with more than 125,000 new registrations. Zero-emission vehicle sales made up nearly 31 per cent of light-duty vehicle sales that year, it says, and there were 375,000 electric vehicles on the road in Quebec last December. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025. Maura Forrest, The Canadian Press
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Our NSW council banned street-visible solar panels. What can I do?
Our home is in a heritage conservation area. Council rules prohibit the installation of solar panels that are visible from the street. However, there are dozens of homes with recently installed panels that are very prominent. When I queried council, they explained that I could provide addresses of these 'offenders' and they may be fined and/or forced to remove panels. I want owners who are prepared to invest in solar to be rewarded, not penalised. What can I do? – Scott, New South Wales Kat George says: When the old and new collide it often takes systems and regulations time to catch up. The rules about installing climate-friendly technologies on heritage homes is a prime example of where change is slow. If you want to install solar panels on a heritage home, the general rule across most local councils is that they can't be visible from the street. This generally applies to all modifications including second storeys and extensions. Creative design can assist you in finding workarounds for other modifications to your home, but it's a bit tricker with solar panels. The aspect of your roof will dictate the best place to install solar panels for efficiency – in other words, where they're going to collect the most sun to be effective in powering your home. It's widely considered the best angle for solar panels in Australia is north-facing, so if your street-facing roof happens to be north-aligned, it starts to get tricky. For what it's worth, I live in a heritage terrace with a north-facing facade, so I understand your frustration at a personal level too. That said, it's still possible to install solar panels on a heritage home. If you're happy to install them out of sight of the street, you're free to proceed. But if they're going to be visible to the street, it might take a bit more legwork on your part. It sounds as though some of your neighbours may have taken the 'ask for forgiveness not permission' route to installing solar on their heritage homes. It also sounds like forgiveness won't necessarily be forthcoming if they're caught. As fines and the removal of solar panels are likely to be costly, I wouldn't recommend taking the same pathway. To take legitimate steps towards installing street-visible solar panels to your roof, the first step is to find out if your heritage listing falls under local council or state jurisdiction (in NSW this is the Heritage Council of NSW). You can check this via the State Heritage Register. If your home's heritage listing falls under your local council's jurisdiction, call them back and ask them how to apply for a development application or heritage exemption certificate. You'll need one of these to argue your case to council about why you should be given an exemption to install visible solar panels. It will be at their discretion to approve or deny your request. Some local councils have already taken strides to make it easier for heritage homeowners to install solar panels. The City of Sydney, for instance, has issued a guideline for exemptions to solar panel installation in heritage areas to 'encourage greater uptake of sustainable and energy efficient infrastructure and dwellings', after the local council declared climate change to be a national emergency. If, on the other hand, you have a state heritage listing, it's likely there will be a higher level of scrutiny to your application and you'll need to apply directly to the Heritage Council of NSW. As for the higher-level change you mention – of solar owners being rewarded rather than penalised – it's likely with net zero targets looming, governments and local councils will consider better ways to support heritage homeowners to invest in green technology, as the City of Sydney has. In the meantime, you can write to your local council and local state MPs to air your concerns. Better still, if you have the time and inclination, you can instigate community action. Letterbox your local neighbourhood, encourage others to write to local representatives, and start a petition that you can deliver to decision-makers to support your case for systemic change.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Lawyers sue government over emissions, claiming plan misses the mark
A lawyer says hardly anyone thinks the government's plan to plant around 700,000 hectares of trees, mostly pines, is a good idea. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton A group of lawyers is suing the government over what they say are glaring holes in the country's emissions reduction plan. Lobby group Lawyers for Climate Action NZ has launched the action against Climate Minister Simon Watts. It alleges the government is failing to fulfil the basic legal requirements needed to meet its climate targets. Lawyer Jessica Palairet who is the group's executive director said the main thrust was that the government was not meeting its obligations under the Zero Carbon Act. It had obligations to make emissions remission plans every five years with "legal guardrails and requirements" that the Act imposed. It was a precedent-setting case, she told Morning Report , because the legal guardrails would be scrutinised in court. "This is the first time an emissions reductions plan like this has ever been challenged under New Zealand law. "We ultimately think the plan the government has made is risky, unlawful and misses the mark," Palairet said. The lawyers disputed the way the government had devised the plan, including that it had scrapped about 35 private policies without following the Act's policy. Pine tree. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King The government was also relying heavily on tree planting, with around 700,000 hectares to be planted by 2050, mostly of pine trees. "And it's pretty hard to find anyone who thinks that a good idea, including the government's own experts. "So we're also taking issue with the way the government reached that decision but also whether or not such a tree-heavy strategy is consistent with the government's obligations." The government's plan was failing to set the country up to meet future emissions targets "which we think is a pretty remarkable position". Side-stepping advice from the independent Climate Change Commission, the government last year appointed its own scientific panel to tell it what level of cuts would be consistent with a goal of creating "no additional warming" from farming. Both the commission and the lawyers believed the government was not making enough reforms to its centrepiece Emissions Trading Scheme, Palairet said. The commission had also been critical of the reliance of tree planting. "So this certainly forms part of the fabric of the case that we're going to be bringing." RNZ has approached Watts for comment. Last week Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called international scientists "worthies" for criticising the government's approach to methane . Luxon received a letter from 26 international climate change scientists accusing the government of "ignoring scientific evidence" over plans to lower its methane target. New Zealand has one of the highest per-capita methane rates in the world because of its farming exports and the current target is reducing methane by between 24 and 47 percent by 2050. Luxon denied he was dismissing science or deflecting attention from this country's farming emissions. "What a load of rubbish, my point was very clear, those scientists can write to leaders of 194 countries before they send it to me," he said.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Tuvalu calls for sea level rise treaty at UN Oceans Conference
Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN Tuvalu prime minister Feleti Teo has called for an international treaty on sea level rise at the UN Oceans Conference in France . Speaking to delegates in Nice, Teo said the ocean is critical to his country's economy, culture and survival. He said he supports the UN Secretary-General's call for all nations to deliver on the 1.5 degrees Celsius promise in order to halt the rate of sea level rise. "In that regard, Tuvalu calls for the development of an international treaty on sea level rise, to enshrine the legal rights of affected states and people, including the principles of statehood continuity and the permanency of maritime boundary," he said. "For Tuvalu, building the resilience and adaptability of our coastlines against the impact of sea level rise is our top adaptation program." Solomon Islands prime minister Jeremiah Manele used his speech to condemn the pursuit of deep sea mining in the Pacific. Addressing delegates in Nice, Manele said his country has placed a moratorium on deep sea prospecting and mining. He said the world's oceans face three planetary crises: biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. "Despite this, some are pursuing deep sea mining with minimal regard for scientific understanding, environmental risks and global consensus," he said. He said the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 - to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources - is off track and underfunded. "We must move beyond rhetoric to concrete actions that matches the scale and urgency to address today's crisis. "We must also reform our global ocean governance architecture and shift from harmful exploitation to sustainable use of the ocean." Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape said his national government does not support deep sea mining due to potentially devastating environmental consequences. However, his stance on the issue is opposite to the one the governor of his country's New Island Province has taken. Governor Walter Schnaubelt recently issued a statement backing Niu Solwara, the company planning to launch the controversial Solwara 1 seabed mining project in the Bismarck Sea by late 2027. Governor Schnaubelt said the new mining techniques employed by Niu Solwara are environmentally safe. Meanwhile, Palau's president Surangel Whipps Jr said financing is key to ensure a sustainable ocean economy that works for the planet. He said the mechanism must include grants for science and governance, patient capital for community-led enterprises, sustainable revenue mechanisms for marine protected areas, and robust local financial systems supporting nature-positive businesses. French Polynesia's president, Moetai Brotherson, spoke of his administration's plan to establish a network of highly protected marine areas (MPAs). This was met with applause. "Why do we do it? We do it because we are not just looking at the ocean; we are not just seeing it at some place that we can fish. We are part of the ocean, and the ocean is part of us."
Arab News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
King Abdullah II urges global ocean action at UN conference, holds key talks on Middle East stability
LONDON: King Abdullah II delivered Jordan's national address at the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice on Monday, underlining the urgent need for global action to protect oceans and marine life, the Jordan News Agency reported. The week-long conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, has brought together hundreds of international leaders, officials, and experts to address the pressing environmental challenges facing the world's seas. In his remarks, King Abdullah described oceans as 'a vital shared resource, sustaining billions of lives,' but warned that they are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and biodiversity loss. 'This is a critical moment in time for action,' the king added, stressing the need for international collaboration to preserve marine ecosystems. King Abdullah highlighted Jordan's embrace of science as a tool for transformation, noting that the Gulf of Aqaba's coral reefs show exceptional resilience to extreme temperatures. This unique feature, he said, positions Jordan as a global hub for marine research that could help save coral reefs worldwide. To advance this vision, he announced the launch of two key initiatives: Aqaba Blue Ventures and the Global Center for Ocean Regeneration. These projects will provide platforms to test new technologies that can be scaled up for global application, he added. On the sidelines of the conference, King Abdullah held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which he affirmed Jordan's readiness to strengthen cooperation with France across various sectors, JNA reported. The leaders stressed the importance of maintaining coordination on regional issues and called for immediate international efforts to reinstate a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid. The king warned of the dangerous consequences of continued escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, reiterating that granting Palestinians their full legitimate rights remained the only path to lasting regional stability. He also commended France's role in promoting peace in the Middle East, particularly through its upcoming international conference in New York from June 17-20, organized in partnership with Saudi Arabia. The meeting was attended by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Jordan's ambassador to France Lina Al-Hadid. Also on Monday, King Abdullah held additional high-level meetings with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The talks were part of the king's broader diplomatic efforts to mobilize international support for the rights of the Palestinian people. During the discussions, King Abdullah again stressed that a two-state solution was the only viable route to regional peace and highlighted the importance of the forthcoming New York conference. He also reiterated the need to restore the ceasefire in Gaza, guarantee unimpeded delivery of aid, and put an end to unilateral measures in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
