Oil Sands

EDMONTON — Environment Minister Peter Kent’s failure to reconsider emergency protection for woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta has prompted environmental groups to ask for the Federal Court’s help.

Six months ago, the Court called Minister Kent’s decision not to recommend emergency protection for woodland caribou “out of the blue,” and ruled that it ignored scientific evidence and must be set aside. The Minister was instructed to reconsider the government’s position, but has yet to show any signs of activity on the file.

Ecojustice, on behalf of the Pembina Institute and Alberta Wilderness Association, has asked the Court to amend its ruling to include a deadline to force a response from the Minister. Read more about Environment groups ask Federal Court to force minister’s hand on caribou protection

CALGARY — In the most comprehensive assessment of Alberta’s climate change policies to date, a new report by the Pembina Institute concludes that Alberta’s current approach will deliver less than one third of the greenhouse gas reductions the Government of Alberta has committed to, but strengthening current policies could enable the province to meet its climate targets. Read more about New report finds Alberta must strengthen emissions rules to meet climate commitments

CALGARY — Simon Dyer, policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the launch of the Government of Alberta's new oilsands information portal:

"We welcome measures by the Government of Alberta to improve the accessibility and transparency of some key oilsands performance measures.

 

OTTAWA — Matt Horne, director of the Pembina Institute's climate change program, made the following statement concerning Chapter 1, "Climate Change Plans under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act," of the 2011 October report by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development:  

"The federal government has repeatedly exaggerated the effectiveness of its policies to limit greenhouse gas pollution, and now admits its plan will be 90 per cent less effective than it first claimed. Further, the government has ignored the legal requirement to explain how it will make up for this gap.
 
Read more about Pembina reacts to new report from federal environment commissioner>