Wednesday, July 20, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Health and environment groups demand public consultations on aviation emissions plan
Over thirty health, environment, faith and youth groups today released a letter urging the federal government to consult the public before releasing a new ten-year action plan to reduce climate pollution from air travel.
The signatories to the letter, including ClimateFast, Environmental Defence, Équiterre, CAPE and the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, are concerned that Transport Canada is co-developing this new plan solely with the aviation industry. The groups are calling for robust public consultations before Transport Canada finalizes and releases the plan, which is due to be presented at the International Civil Aviation Organization assembly in September.
“Canada’s 2012 action plan on aviation emissions, which was also developed behind closed doors with industry, failed to stem the growth in aviation emissions,” said Lyn Adamson, Co-Chair of ClimateFast. “We need a process that is open to the public, not just an industry that has repeatedly failed to reduce its emissions.”
According to Transport Canada, greenhouse gas emissions from Canadian airlines increased by 75% between 2005 and 2019, to over 22 million tonnes.
“Climate change is already having a devastating effect on the health of people around the world. Extreme heat, wildfires, and floods are threatening the health of millions in Canada each year,” said Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. “Every sector of our society must be transformed if we are to preserve a livable planet for our children. Air transportation is no exception.”
The groups are also demanding that the new plan include a commitment to reduce aviation emissions by at least 30% by 2030 (from 2019 levels). That is a more ambitious target than Air Canada’s 20% reduction commitment, but less ambitious than Canada’s overall target of a 40% reduction.
For more information or interviews with signatories, contact:
Lyn Adamson, ClimateFast
416-731-6605
Francais:
Andréanne Brazeau, Équiterre
438-883-2431
Download the English Letter: Aviation-letter-EN-jul20-2022-final-rev.pdf
Download the French Letter: Lettre-aviation-FR-jul20-2022-final.pdf