Two key members of the federal government’s Net-Zero Advisory Body have stepped down, citing lack of attention from Ottawa as it shifts focus from previous climate commitments to new oil and gas ventures. University of British Columbia professor Simon Donner and global climate advocate Catherine Abreu resigned this week, leaving only four members remaining in the advisory body.
In a post on his LinkedIn profile, Donner expressed gratitude for contributing to shaping Canada’s climate policies. He highlighted that the structure and governance of the advisory body were suboptimal, especially as government priorities evolved this year.
Donner mentioned his discomfort with the advisory body’s diminishing significance, emphasizing the need for genuine engagement rather than performative actions. Abreu also shared her concerns in a statement following her resignation, criticizing the government’s support for a new oil pipeline in Alberta and legislation favoring expedited environmental approvals for fossil fuel and mining projects.
Abreu criticized the government’s Climate Competitiveness Strategy for jeopardizing the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. She noted that the advisory body’s expert advice was disregarded in recent decisions, and she questioned the government’s compliance with the obligations outlined in Canada’s Net-Zero Accountability Act.
The advisory body was established to guide Canada towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as mandated by the government. However, recent reports suggest that Canada is unlikely to meet its emissions targets for 2030. Canada is expected to unveil an updated emissions reduction plan by the year’s end.