Press Release

Statement on the G7 Energy Ministers’ Reaffirmed Commitment to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Subsidies

September 21, 2018

“G7 countries must turn words into action and develop a detailed roadmap for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. For Canada, this responsibility ultimately lies with Environment and Clean Growth Minister Catherine McKenna and Finance Minister Bill Morneau,” said experts from the #StopFundingFossils coalition.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2018

CONTACT:
Alex Doukas, alex [at] priceofoil.org
Barbara Hayes, bhayes [at] environmentaldefence.ca

Statement on the G7 Energy Ministers’ Reaffirmed Commitment to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Subsidies from Environmental Experts at the #StopFundingFossils Coalition
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA — Following the outcome from today’s G7 Energy Ministers’ meeting and the group’s reaffirmed commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, environmental experts from the #StopFundingFossils Coalition responded:

“We welcome Canada using its presidency of the G7 to reaffirm the importance of ending handouts to climate polluters. It has been years since the G7 countries first promised to phase out public subsidies that support the oil, gas and coal industry as part of wider efforts to address the worsening global climate crisis.

“But while ministers have once again noted this commitment, meaningful action to back up those words is in short supply. Tens of billions of dollars in fossil fuel subsidies from G7 countries continue to undermine climate efforts, with Canada being the largest provider of government support for oil and gas production per unit of GDP in the G7.

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Notes to Editors:

Policy Brief: G7 Fossil Fuel Subsidy Scorecard: tracking the phase-out of fiscal support and public finance for oil, gas and coal (June 2018). With less than seven years to meet their 2025 phase-out deadline, G7 governments continue to provide substantial fiscal support for the production and use of oil, gas and coal. On average per year in 2015 and 2016 the G7 governments gave at least USD $81 billion in fiscal support and USD $20 billion in public finance, for both production and consumption of oil, gas and coal at home and overseas.

Report: Public Cash for Oil & Gas: Mapping federal fiscal support for fossil fuels (September 2018). Canada is the largest provider of subsidies to oil and gas production in the G7 per unit of GDP.

#StopFundingFossils is a coalition of environmental groups that have come together to ensure Canada fulfills and accelerates its commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025.

Environmental Defence is Canada’s most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all;

Équiterre is the largest and most influential environmental organization in Quebec, offering concrete solutions to accelerate the transition towards a society in which individuals, organizations and governments make ecological choices that are both healthy and equitable;

Climate Action Network (CAN-Rac) is Canada’s primary network of organizations working on climate change and energy issues. CAN-Rac is a coalition of more than 100 organizations operating from coast to coast to coast. Our membership brings environmental groups together with trade unions, First Nations, social justice, development, health and youth organizations, faith groups and local, grassroots initiatives; and

Oil Change International is a research, communication, and advocacy organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels and facilitating the coming transition towards clean energy.