Three amigos summit seen as rare chance for big moves on climate change

The North American leaders should seize their rare moment of political agreement on climate when they meet next week in Ottawa, says a new report.

The report,Proposals for a North American Climate Strategy, calls on the three leaders who will meet at the North American Leaders Summit June 29 to take advantage of the common approach they have on climate issues.

"Ibelieve youhave alignment between these three nations in a waythatwe haven't seen before, and so we have to think about how do we make the mostof this time," said the Pembina Institute'sErinFlanagan, whois the co-author of the report compiled by a coalition of six environmental think-tanks from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

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Flanagansaidthethree leaders are ambitious about the environmentin their own way: U.S. PresidentBarackObamais thinking about his legacy on climate file;Mexican President EnriquePenaNietohas brought in a new energy transition lawas part of his overall domestic reforms; and Prime Minister JustinTrudeauwants Canada to have a strong international reputation on climate.

Flanagansaidit creates a unique chance for North Americato become a climate action juggernaut.

"So you've three ambitious political leaders, and you've got global consensus that action is important for the world," saidFlanaganin an interview with CBC News. "Those taken together givesus a big opportunity to bring in a climate plan for the three countries that is ambitious, that's rigorous, and can reallylead the way for other countriesto follow," she said.

Recommendations

The report recommends a list of steps that leaders could agree to take towarda North American climate strategy.

They include:

• North American methane target Canada and the U.S. have already agreed to reduce methane emissions by 40 to 45 per centby 2025.Including Mexico would create the world's first trilateral methane reduction target.
• Shared approach to carbon pricing harmonize the waythe threecountriesbuild on their existing carbon pricing systems over time so they apply fairly to both industry and consumers.
• Accelerate the shift to clean energy phase out fossil fuel subsidies and work on generating and sharing more electricity from renewable energy and a charging network for electric vehicles.

When it comes to political reality, however, wish lists often get left behind, saidJeffrey Phillips, the managing director of Dawson Strategic, a consulting company that specializes in policy research on international trade, energy and environmentalissues.

He thinks the leaders should stay away from a long list of nice sounding promises and instead highlight what they can accomplish on climate.

"Turning to practical, feasible cost-effective solutions and working away on those and staying focused, this is an opportunity and not one to be missed," said Phillips in an interview with CBC.

A realistic move on methane

But Phillips agrees with the report's recommendation that Mexico should be encouraged to sign on to North America target to reduce methane. Mexico, the U.S. and Canada produce 20 per centof the world's methane from their oil and gas infrastructure and methaneis a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Phillips saidit doesn't take a huge amount of new technology to reduce methane, and itwould also send an important message aboutNorth America's determination to meet the Paris climate agreement.

"It fits into the bucket of something that can be done, that can make a difference and that can strengthen North America," said Phillips.

He points out that uncertainty over who will win the U.S. election is hanging over the summit.A victory by Republican Donald Trump could change the whole North American climate scenario.

"You can make a choice, you can let that election in the U.S. loom over everything and cast doubt on everything, or you can say we've got a really great opportunity now and let's get as far ahead as we can on some of these measures," said Phillips.

"So in a way it's a time to be ambitious and practical."