Ahead of Trudeau White House Visit, Environmental Groups Unveil New Proposed “Climate Test”
Bold Nebraska Joins U.S. and Canadian Groups Urging Leaders to Adopt a Consistent Climate Policy for New Energy Projects and Policies in Both Countries
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leading U.S. and Canadian environmental groups, including Bold Nebraska, unveiled a new proposed “climate test,” which they will urge leaders in Canada and the United States to adopt in order to evaluate energy policies and infrastructure projects in both countries for their climate impacts and against the international goal to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“A climate test for all energy projects is critical for our communities,” said Bold Nebraska director Jane Kleeb. “Right now we are at the mercy of what politicians think are good or bad projects. Putting in place a climate test adds a level of security, based on science, for farmers, ranchers and landowners to protect our land and water.”
The release of the “climate test” is timed to coincide with the upcoming first official visit to Washington, D.C. of new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 10, for a state dinner and discussions about energy and climate change with President Obama.
Adopting such a policy is a logical and critical next step given the climate commitment they made in the Paris climate agreement, as well as strengthening their relationship after the long fight over the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
Both leaders have expressed support for the idea of a climate test – with President Obama citing climate leadership in his rejection of Keystone XL and Prime Minister Trudeau pledging to include climate in the new Environmental Assessment process.
The proposed test will define what this test should look like and how it can be applied so leaders can assess the viability of energy infrastructure in a 1.5 degree world.
