Climate change | Quebec renews its aid to vulnerable countries

A new contribution to the United Nations Adaptation Fund, directly financing initiatives in vulnerable French-speaking countries; Quebec continues on the path to climate diplomacy, but does not currently plan to advance its carbon neutrality target as recommended by the International Energy Agency.

Quebec is paying an additional $10 million to the United Nations Adaptation Fund to help developing countries adapt to the consequences of climate change.

This aid, announced on Tuesday within the framework of the International Climate Conference on Future Adaptation 2023, in Montreal, will finance investments in food security, water management, sustainable agriculture, coastal zone management, disaster risk reduction or urban and rural development.

“It is a way to underscore the importance we attach to adaptation and this cooperation in the international arena.” Minister of the Environment, Climate Change Control, Wildlife and Parks, Benoit Charette, made the announcement during the opening plenary session of the conference.

With this financial assistance, Quebec becomes the subnational country making the largest contribution to the Adaptation Fund, confirmed its director, Finn Mikko Olikainen, who sits next to Minister Charette.

“This demonstrates Quebec’s leadership and commitment to supporting the most vulnerable communities in developing countries,” said Mr. Olikainen.

Invitation to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

The aid announced Tuesday is Quebec’s fourth contribution to the adaptation fund, bringing its total commitment to $33 million. [du Canada] ; Legault’s government also paid $10 million In 2022 and 2021.

The Adaptation Fund constitutes the main financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for adaptation to the consequences of global warming; Originates from the Kyoto Protocol.

Since its launch in 2007, it has paid out nearly $1 billion [des États-Unis] To finance 150 adaptation projects.

However, the annual costs of adaptation in developing countries are estimated at $70 billion. [des États-Unis] Annually, an amount that should rise between $140 to $300 billion in 2030, and between $280 to $500 billion in 2050.

Heading towards 2050

Quebec is not currently considering moving forward with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality in 2050, even though the International Energy Agency (IEA) called on rich countries to do so at the end of September to help vulnerable countries.

The IEA noted in a 2023 update of its “roadmap” to achieving the goal of carbon neutrality, explaining that advanced economies will need to achieve “zero net emissions by 2050 globally does not mean net zero emissions per country by 2050.” There is an urgent need to give emerging and developing economies more time to do so.

Minister Sharett explained in a press conference that Minister Sharett is focusing first on achieving the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5% below their level in 1990.

“Year after year, we are getting closer to that goal, and after that, we will have to look seriously at post-2030 to specifically aim for carbon neutrality, but I am not in a position to tell you that we will go ahead with that.” “The goal at this time,” he said.

The International Energy Agency says greenhouse gas emissions from advanced economies must fall by 80% by 2035. [par rapport à leur niveau actuel]Compared to 60% in developing economies.

Minister Sharette says his government is making sure it has a plan to achieve the goals it sets.

“And now is the day we can confirm a new goal [de carboneutralité]He said we will have a plan to support this approach. »