The Alberta United Conservative Party (UCP) is set to vote on a controversial motion that would celebrate the province’s high levels of carbon dioxide emissions and abandon its net-zero targets.
The motion, put forward by UCP MLA Drew Barnes, calls for the government to recognize the “positive impact” of CO2 emissions on the economy and to reject any future net-zero emissions targets.
This move has sparked outrage among environmentalists and opposition parties, who argue that it goes against the global effort to combat climate change.
The UCP government has been criticized for its lack of action on climate change, with Alberta being one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases in Canada. The province’s oil and gas industry is a major contributor to these emissions.
In response to the motion, Premier Jason Kenney stated that the UCP government is committed to reducing emissions, but also believes in the importance of the province’s energy sector.
However, environmental groups and experts have pointed out that celebrating CO2 emissions and rejecting net-zero targets is a step in the wrong direction. They argue that it is crucial for Alberta to transition to cleaner energy sources in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The UCP’s decision to vote on this motion has also been met with criticism from within the party. UCP MLA Miranda Rosin has publicly stated that she will not be supporting the motion, citing the need for Alberta to take action on climate change.
The vote on the motion is expected to take place on Wednesday, December 8th. It remains to be seen how the UCP members will vote and what impact this decision will have on Alberta’s stance on climate change.
As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, it is crucial for governments to take action and work towards reducing emissions. The outcome of this vote will have significant implications for Alberta’s future and its role in the fight against climate change.
