Thread by @SethDKlein

Today the federal @NDP released the climate plan it intends to carry into the 2019 election. With a nod to the #GreenNewDeal excitement, the plan is entitled “A New Deal for Climate Action and Good Jobs.” My overall take – this is a bold & ambitious plan. THREAD 👇#PowerToChange

The website for the #NDP plan is here:
ndp.ca/power-to-change

I like the strength of the language in this plan. NDP would declare #ClimateEmergency. They don't specifically say what GHG reduction targets would be for 2030 or 2050, but states that targets must be embedded in law & aligned with the science and what the IPCC says is needed.

Also commits to 100% non-carbon electricity by 2030.

There are good plans for transit/transportation, buildings & community transitions. Plan has large climate infrastructure $$. They want to expand ZEV charging network, offer additional rebates 4 made-in-Canada electric vehicles, reestablish rural bus routes & expand cycling.

I liked the Green Party’s climate plan too, but #NDP plan is more detailed. And it is strong where Green plan is weak, namely linking climate action 2 inequality, jobs, worker transition, and Indigenous rights & climate leadership.

Overall, both parties have set a high bar that the Liberals must now meet.

The #NDP plan includes a number of bold proposals, such as:
* Establishing a Canadian Climate Bank to finance investments in low-carbon technology;
* Free Public Transit that is 100% electric;
* An Environmental Bill of Rights; and
* Banning single-use plastics by 2022.

#NDP plan also sets great goals for federal gvt climate leadership, with commitments to make all fed vehicle fleets (such as Canada Post) made-in-Canada electric by 2025, and making all federal buildings net zero by 2030.

They would “establish an independent Climate Accountability Office to do regular audits of progress towards our climate goals.” And “adopt a carbon budgeting framework to plan for and track federal GHG emissions reductions.” Good stuff.

The plan also has its shortcomings. Some of the target dates are too far out. Why is the target date to make 100% of sales of new electric vehicles 2040 (should be 2030 if not sooner)? Why is the target for all *new* buildings to be net zero 2030 (should be much sooner)?

And the NDP plan is not at all clear about the need to reject all new fossil fuel infrastructure projects, nor does it address the need to wind-down the export of fossil fuels over the coming years.

The full plan document is well worth reading. It can be found here:
action.ndp.ca/page/-/2019/Q2…

One other caveat: I note that on the last page of plan, NDP says its total climate investments under this plan would come to $15 billion over the term of mandate. Spread over 4 years, that's not actually very much.