Brussels – Eight Nobel Peace Prize laureates have written to European Heads of State and Ministers of the Environment urging them to tackle the most climate polluting sources of transport fuel, notably tar sands.

Oil produced from highly polluting sources, such as tar sands and coal-to-liquids, causes far more climate damaging emissions than conventional oil. Tar sand extraction in Canada has destroyed pristine wilderness areas and has had devastating impacts on local communities and aboriginal groups.

A copy of the letter will be available from this link later today:www.nobelwomensinitiative.org.

Commenting on the letter, Darek Urbaniak, extractive industries campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe said:“Tar sands oil is the dirtiest of all, it emits 23% more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil. Tar sands also do untold damage to the environment and wildlife and threaten indigenous communities around the globe. If the EU doesn’t put the proper policies in place it will be equally responsible for the damage caused by tar sands.”

EU government representatives will vote next week (23 February) whether to force fuels such as tar sands to clean up or face an effective ban from the EU market under the bloc’s Fuel Quality Directive.

The law was approved in 2009 but still has to be implemented. Canada, a major tar sands producer, has lobbied extensively against the proposal that is being put to the vote next week, together with oil companies. 

Nusa Urbancic of Transport & Environment said: “If Europe doesn’t act now, our addition to oil is going to turn into a much more damaging dependence on high carbon oil.  The science shows that tar sands oil does lead to higher emissions than other sources; the EU’s plan to make these fuels clean up is the right one and member states should support it.” 

Greenpeace EU transport policy adviser Franziska Achterberg said: “Even oil-obsessed America refused to take the gamble and shelved plans for a tar sands pipeline this winter. The question is whether Europe is prepared to say ‘no’ to the oil lobby and to tar sands, which represent the exact opposite of the clean, climate-friendly future that we urgently need.”

-Ends 

Notes to editors:

Briefing on the Fuel Quality Directive:

www.transportenvironment.org/publications/reducing-transport-fuel-emissions-implementing-fqd

For further information:

Francesca Gater
Communications Officer, Friends of the Earth Europe
+32 (0)2 893 1010, + 32 (0)485 930515
francesca.gater@foeeurope.org

Jack Hunter

Press Officer, Greenpeace EU
+32 (0)476 988584
jack.hunter@greenpeace.org

Dudley Curtis
Communications Manager, Transport & Environment
+32 (0)485 379945

dudley@transportenvironment.org

Eight Nobel Peace Laureates have written to EU Heads of State and Environment Ministers encouraging them to continue to show climate leadership by ensuring passage of a key piece of European policy designed to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from transportation.

The letter can be found attached. It has been sent addressed personally to each Head of State in the European Union.

Following over two years of aggressive lobbying from the Canadian government and industry, experts will vote on February 23^rd on the implementation of Article 7a of the Fuel Quality Directive. This policy would achieve emissions reductions by encouraging the use of lower carbon fuels and encouraging fuel producers to adopt more efficient production processes. The Canadian Government, instead of dealing with the emissions from the tar sands (Canada’s fastest growing source of GHG pollution), launched a PR assault against Europe’s efforts to clean up its fuel mix.

The February 23^rd vote has three potential outcomes – either a qualified majority for or against the current implementation proposal, or neither. In the case of no qualified majority either way, the likely outcome is the discussion will be moved from technical expert committees to the political Ministerial level.

 Response: 

In support of this letter and in anticipation of the February 23^rd vote, Hannah McKinnon, Campaign Director of Climate Action Network Canada, has said the following:

“The European Union has led by example when it comes to industrialized countries taking action on climate change. The EU has joined a global coalition of the willing when it comes to dealing with climate change, leaving space for laggards like Canada to catch up later. The European Union’s Fuel Quality Directive is a critical piece of policy designed to move away from the dirtiest fuels and encourage use of cleaner energy. The desperate efforts of the Canadian Government, along with the Albertan Government and industry, to kill this policy are a sad indication of how far the Harper Government is prepared to go to peddle some of the world’s dirtiest oil. The world is at a crossroads – we can either scrape the bottom of the barrel for tar sands and other highly polluting fuels, or we can embrace an ambitious transition towards safe, clean and renewable energies. These Nobel Peace Laureates recognize the urgency and the moral imperative for action on climate change, and it is inspiring to see them lending their support to European leaders and decision makers as they try to make the right choices for our collective future and shared climate.”

For further comment:

Hannah McKinnon, Campaign Director, Climate Action Network Canada

613.276.7791

hmckinnon@climateactionnetwork.ca

It also attempted to conceal a warning that emerged from the meeting about the importance of the oilsands industry in ongoing free trade discussions with Europe — the Comprehensive and Economic Free Trade Agreement talks. Read more…

The meeting was designed as a training session for Canada’s diplomatic pro-oil lobbying team in its efforts to promote the Canadian oilsands sector and fight against climate change policies calling for a reduction in pollution. Read more…

The two-day retreat, held last February 1 and 2 in London, England, concluded that Canada’s foreign diplomats don’t have enough resources to deliver on the federal government’s aggressive lobbying strategy to promote the oilsands and fight foreign climate change policies. But participants at the meeting, including bureaucrats who travelled from Canada, suggested lobbying is not the only answer. Read more…

The groups said they discovered the latest lobbying efforts during a series of meetings with ambassadors or deputy heads of embassies from at least eight different countries that are now finalizing a policy that is designed to reduce heat-trapping emissions from transportation as part of Europe’s plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. Read more…

“Canadian lobbying against the EU Fuel Quality Directive is riddled with misleading arguments and it does not represent the values many Canadians share,” says Andrea Harden-Donahue, Energy and Climate Justice Campaigner with the Council of Canadians.

The Canadian Government, along with industry allies and the Alberta Government, have launched a coordinated lobby attack on a European Union policy that aims to take steps to address the climate crises. This attack, run as ‘The Oil Sands Advocacy Strategy” and led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is dangerous and irresponsible in the face of global climate change.

The Fuel Quality Directive has been the focus of this lobbying effort. One dimension of this policy aims to achieve meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas pollution from transportation by requiring suppliers to move towards cleaner burning fuels. The policy has identified scientific average carbon intensity values for a number of the highest polluting fossil fuels, including natural bitumen or tar sands. Lobbying against the Directive, which has been subject to unusual delays, has included over 110 meetings in 2010 alone, Canada being the only non-EU state to participate in FQD consultation, advertisements and reports. Prior to meeting with the three civil society organizations, a number of the Embassies had already been lobbied by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and/or Canadian and Albertan government officials.

“The Harper Government has failed Canadians and the world by refusing to take the climate crises seriously,” says Hannah McKinnon of Climate Action Network Canada. “Instead of fighting a pollution battle at home, the government has chosen to fight a Public Relations battle abroad –it is pathetic that our government is putting more energy into trying to kill climate change policies in other countries than doing its fair share to fight climate change in Canada.”

The organizations discussed the importance of the policy and directly debunked common industry and government lobby points regarding discrimination, carbon intensity of tar sands, and trade concerns. They made clear the critical importance of pressuring the government to take action on cleaning up the tar sands, both from a climate change and energy perspective as well as the human rights implications on directly impacted First Nation Communities.

“Profound human rights violations are being perpetuated by the Canadian governments ongoing tar sands bonanza. First Nations in the region are living with 30% elevated rates of cancer compared to the rest of Alberta,” says Clayton Thomas-Muller, Tar Sands Campaign Director for the Indigenous Environmental Network. “First Nations peoples have been leading an international campaign to stop the Canadian tar sands, this policy will help cut off Prime Minister Harpers ability to peddle this dirty oil to the European market.”

The proposal for the Directive is currently before an expert committee, which meets again on February 23rd.

The three organizations have already met with eight Embassies with plans underway for further meetings. A kit of information is shared with Ambassadors and Embassy staff that includes a document challenging misconceptions raised on the part of Canadian lobbying efforts alongside an open letter challenging Canadian lobbying efforts and supporting the Directive signed by organizations representing millions of Canadians and a letter of support from the Leader of the Green Party of Canada.

- 30 -

For more information:

Andrea Harden-Donahue, Energy and Climate Justice Campaigner, Council of Canadians, (613) 218-5800,aharden@canadians.org

Friday, February 3, 2012

Harper Government continues to ramp up negative rhetoric against opponents of the Northern Gateway pipeline and the tar sands After Minister Joe Oliver’s inflammatory statements in January about ‘radicals’, the dialogue surrounding the Northern Gateway pipeline has continued to get even more heated. ForestEthics Canada is an environmental group that has registered as an intervenor in the Northern Gateway review process, and a whistleblower has come forward to claim that the Prime Minister’s office informed the group that it is an ‘enemy of the government of Canada’ and an ‘enemy of the people of Canada’, and threatened to revoke charitable status of one of it’s donors. Read the whistleblower’s open letter here. The Harper Government’s pro-tar sands stance has caused it to utilize extreme black-and-white divisions between ‘allies’ and ‘enemies’. In documents obtained by Climate Action Network Canada regarding the government’s strategy to promote the tar sands in Europe, several egregious things came to light. Firstly, in these documents, the government listed First Nations groups and environmentalists as ‘adversaries’, which would explain the government’s complete lack of respect for the opinions of these groups. Secondly, the documents list the National Energy Board as an ally of the government in promoting the tar sands. This is perhaps more disturbing, as the NEB is supposed to be a neutral regulatory agency that oversees pipelines, and is going to be conducting the hearings for the Northern Gateway pipeline. The Northern Gateway pipeline has become as much of a lightning rod as the Keystone XL. While the government relentlessly pursues oil profits, we Canadians know that the tar sands mean reneging on our duty to reduce carbon emissions. Climate change and the tar sands are global issues, and Canada’s international image is suffering badly, with one journalist even calling Canada a ‘jingoistic petro-state’. Bill McKibben, one of the leaders of the fight against the Keystone XL, has said that he is worried about coming to Canada. It’s time for us to push back against the Harper Government’s dirty tactics. Lead Now and ForestEthics both have campaigns to stop Harper’s bullying, so lend your voice! Keystone XL pipeline rejected by President Obama! On January 18, after months of heated debate, President Obama announced that he was rejecting the proposal for the Keystone XL pipeline. People from across the U.S. and Canada had made it clear to President Obama, with calls, letters and massive protests, that they didn’t want the pipeline, and last fall the President had delayed the approval decision until 2013 to allow for a more thorough environmental review. However, Republicans tacked a rider onto a piece of legislation forcing Obama to make a decision within two months. Citing a lack of time for an environmental review, Obama rejected the pipeline. Our voices were heard, and sanity won out over Big Oil!  Lobby busting tour On Wednesday, Hannah McKinnon of Climate Action Network Canada, Andrea Harden-Donaghue of Council of Canadians, and Clayton Thomas-Muller of the Indigenous Environmental Network met with EU embassies in Ottawa to discuss the Canadian Government’s lobbying against the EU’s Fuel Quality Directive. Read more here. A note from our new Executive Director, Christian Holz Dear Newsletter readers, I am very excited about having joined Climate Action Network Canada as the network’s new Executive Director. It is a great privilege to be working with Canada’s leading environmentalists and so many dedicated individuals who continue to take on the challenge of fighting for a solution to the climate crisis – the most important struggle of our time. I am excited about having a chance to play my part in this Canada’s quest to find its way into a clean energy future where efficient use of renewable energy has replaced our current dependence on oil, coal and gas. I thank you for your continued interest in the work of Climate Action Network Canada and your support and your own contribution in this challenge.

Connect with us: Headlines: Climate Action Network Internship opportunity: Online Communications Intern Tories close energy-saving program early Saudi oil minister goes solar, stresses efficiency, says pumping oil creates few jobs Enbridge pipeline and Alberta tar sands: violations of UNFCCC & World Convention Concerning Cultural and Natural Heritage Fossil fuel subsidies: a tour of the data ‘Gasland’ director Josh Fox arrested for filming in Congress MIT study suggests that electric-powered trucks will save money for companies Report says Northern Gateway pipeline will create ‘price shock’ across Canada Spill of tar sands oil seeping into water in Colorado Climate change shrinking forests in three prairie provinces Contact Us: media@climateactionnetwork.ca Support our work:

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Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

Position Concept:

The Intern will assist in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat Canada. This internship will focus on online media and communications including website content development and management, social media, and newsletters among other activities that the secretariat engages in. This is an exciting opportunity for someone interested in working and being exposed to the growing range of Canadian organizations that are taking action to address climate change.

The intern will acquire an advanced knowledge of:

• The range of issues under discussion within climate change policy and the climate change movement in Canada and internationally;
• Approaches and techniques associated with communicating and educating around environmental issues and managing a diverse network;
• The wide range of organizations working on energy and climate change issues and the roles they play.

This exposure will prove invaluable for a young person seeking to develop a career in the not-for-profit sector and secure a job related to greenhouse gas abatement.

In addition, the intern will gain important skills associated with how a not-for-profit organization functions. The administrative tasks associated with event organization and core administrative responsibilities will help the intern understand how a not-for-profit organization and network functions in practice. This is a critical skill set for anyone hoping to move towards a managerial role within an organization.

The Intern’s duties will include

• Managing contact lists and helping coordinate communications;
• Writing and editing communications, web materials and newsletter content, and helping in the preparation of reports;
• Supporting outreach both within the membership as well as to external actors such as government officials and policy makers;
• Serving as liaison between CAN member organizations, and CAN staff on administrative and process matters, and;
• Identifying and proposing opportunities for improved outreach and communications to member organizations.

Requirements:

• Passion for and basic understanding of environmental issues, especially climate change
• Excellent research abilities
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills
• Ability to communication in French is an asset
  • Highly organized. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple demands effectively, while staying focused on delivery of priority tasks.
  • Current computer and internet skills – experience with Word Press is an asset.
    • Experience working in not-for-profit networks is an asset, but not essential.
    • A good sense of humour.
    • Willing to commit to a minimum of 3 days per week.  Arrangements can be made as well for those who wish to come in full time.

About Climate Action Network

Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat Canada is a coalition of more than 85 organizations from across the country working to stop climate change and promote sustainable and equitable solutions.  The network brings leading provincial and national environmental organizations together with a cross section of Canada’s most prominent labour, faith-based, development, health and aboriginal organizations. 

Interested?

Please send a resume and cover letter detailing why you are interested in this position to Hannah McKinnon at hmckinnon(at)climateactionnetwork.ca.

We thank all who apply, and will only contact those chosen for an interview. No telephone inquiries please.

Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat Canada is an equal opportunity

employer.