Thread by @ProfKHarrison

We’ve now got the 3 main national parties’ climate platforms. (Greens haven’t got much on website, so will go with a 8/9 press release here and there.) How do they compare? Great that lots of detail, so 🧵will be long. Still can’t promise to cover everything. #cdnpoli #elxn44 /1

Cutting to the chase, Cons plan is better than in 2019, but Lib and NDP both promise much more ambitious policies and less support for fossil fuels. NDP builds on Lib initiatives, w tweaks, some important (fossil fuel subsidies). There’s a table to compare at end of 🧵! /2

TARGETS: Libs submitted new target of 40-45% below 2005 by 2030. Cons said they’ll meet “Canada’s Paris commitment” but that’s original -30% target. #ParisAgreement doesn't allow backtracking, so would mean going to #COP26 with a stated intention of non-compliance. NDP -50%. /3

Targets matter at COP, but need policies to meet. The Cons have a plan for -30%, but caveats could weaken it significantly. Lib platform goes beyond their -30% plan + spring $ announcements (transit, EV mftg), but is it enough for -40%? I'm more skeptical of NDP plan for -50%. 4

CARBON PRICING: Libs would increase to $170/tonne by 2030. Conservs are “prepared” to match $170 for industry (though with an escape clause), but offer $20-50/tonne “savings plan” gimmick for households. NDP “will continue with C pricing” but don’t specify price. Ditto Greens. /5

VEHICLES: Cons would mandate 30% ZEVs sales by 2030. Libs 50% by 2030, 100% by 2035. NDP 100% by 2035. Also, b/c it’s an election, $$ for voters - though not clear effective. Libs would extend prev $5k for EV purchase, NDP would waive GST, up to $15k if made-in-Canada (USMCA?). 6

OIL/GAS sector releases more GHGs than any other. Libs propose 5 yr caps for o/g on path to net zero in 2050, but no # even for 2025. Backgrounder yesterday says targets will be set on advice of Net Zero Advisory Body. That's good. Still big Q’s re: CCS, indiv company targets. /7

NDP proposes multi-yr sectoral carbon budgets, presumably including oil/gas. Also no #s though same goal of net zero in 2050. Conservs: “will treat the energy sector as the key driver of the economy that it is.” Lots in their plan about supporting oil/gas industry. /8

JUST TRANSITION: Libs promise $2B to support transition in AB, SK, NF, re-ups 2019 promise of JT legislation. Oddly I'm seeing less NDP focus on just transition than in 2019 – seeking anti-Kenney votes in AB? Speaks volumes that Cons anticipate job *shortages* in energy sector. 9

FOSSIL FUEL SUBSIDIES: Conservs “will make pipelines a priority,” more $$ for CCS. NDP would phase out all FF subsidies. Greens ditto. Libs silent on this one (they're building a pipeline for the oil industry after all) but now putting big $ and tax credits into low-C sectors. 10

ELECTRICITY: Liberals promise Clean Electricity Standard to achieve net zero electricity by 2035. NDP net zero by 2030, 100% renewable (i.e., no offsets) by 2040. Conservatives nothing that I caught. Greens call for 100% renewables, but offer no deadline. /11

OTHER STUFF: Cons would mandate 15% renewable gas and stricter clean fuel std by 2030, both likely more costly than the C tax they replace. Libs would further reduce methane, end thermal coal exports by 2030. NDP puts more emphasis on Indigenous rights, environmental justice. /12

BUILDINGS: Also very important because they last so long. We need to build better and retrofit pretty much the rest by 2050. Lots in there too but I’ve run out of steam, and know less about the building side. Building folks please chime in! 13

My attempt to summarize! I’ll update if corrections are needed or as more comes out in the campaign. The urgency of action is clear. What we do on climate matters more than ever in #Elxn44. I hope all voters will weigh the parties' climate plans seriously.