Five local environmental groups have urged the Yukon government be more transparent and accountable when it comes to greenhouse gases.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Yukon Chapter), Yukoners Concerned and Yukon Conservation Society filed a petition which was read in the Legislative Assembly today. Emily Tredger, NDP MLA, read it.
The petition requests that the territorial government create a policy that requires “complete analysis of multiphase GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions” to take place by qualified independent third parties for infrastructure and development projects valued over $500,000. The petition also requests that the results be made public.
“The idea is to make sure we have a clear understanding of the greenhouse gas implications of decisions around resource- and infrastructure-related projects,” stated Malkolm Boothroyd (campaigns coordinator at CPAWS Yukon).
Climate goal
In 2019, the Yukon government set the goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030.
Peggy Land, a coordinator of the grassroots group ForTheirFutureYukon said that “that’s an enormously ambitious goal, especially considering that emissions have been increasing by 24 percent in the past 10 years.”
She stated that 20-30% of the region’s emissions are likely to come from mining.
The petition also asks for the government’s approval to set an emissions cap on mining by the end of the year, similar to that set by the federal government for fossil fuels.
“There is no free lunch on this. She said that mining produces a lot of emissions and could produce even more.
“Healthy public dialog”
Boothroyd stated that it is often difficult to find information about greenhouse gas emissions from certain industries or projects.
“I believe that it is essential to have that information readily available and reported on a regular basis in order to have a healthy public conversation about these issues.”
He stated that if a project is likely to emit more greenhouse gases than the territory’s climate targets, then we shouldn’t approve it or make sure they can continue in a way that doesn’t cause that many.
He stated that climate change information must be integrated into all decision-making levels and that it is essential to understand the climate implications for resource extraction and infrastructure projects in order for the territory meet its climate goals.
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources stated that the department would not comment on the petition immediately.
Jesse Devot indicated that the department would provide an official response to the Legislature within eight days.