Climate Change and Energy
Our Climate Litigation Initiatives:
Appeal of the historic Mathur v Ontario climate case 2024:
Friends of the Earth is intervening in the Mathur appeal to argue there is an ecological constitutional bottom line that must be respected by governments.
Intervention in first climate case under Canada’s Charter:
Friends of the Earth intervened in The Mathur v Ontario case which made history in 2023 when a judge ruled — for the first time in Canada — courts can consider whether a government’s response to climate change infringes upon human rights. However, FOE said, by dismissing this case, Canadian courts are falling behind courts around the world that are holding their governments accountable for lack of action on climate chaos.
Carbon Pricing Case in 2020:
In 2020, Friends of the Earth intervened in the Carbon Pricing case at the Supreme Court. The goal was to advocate for federal-provincial cooperation in addressing climate change, emphasizing the legal obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of women and girls in the context of climate change.
Lack of Action under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act 2008:
Friends of the Earth took legal action against the Canadian government, marking the first climate inaction lawsuit globally. They sought to hold the government accountable for missing commitments under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act.
Campaign for Systemic Change in CPP:
Friends of the Earth campaigns for systemic change in Canada’s Pension Plan (CPP), the largest pension fund in Canada. The organization argues for five actions that would set an example for other pension plans and financial institutions. (five actions underlined would link to updated page on Your investment in the CPP misses the mark on climate risk)
Responsibility of Fossil Fuel Industry:
The fossil fuel industry is responsible for not only climate chaos but also for plastic pollution. Friends of the Earth advocates for working towards zero plastic waste as part of comprehensive climate action.
Recent Updates and News on Climate Change
Canada’s Record on Climate Action
Oh Canada – we’ve got to do better! If you take the long view starting back when Canada signed onto climate action at the Rio Summit, we’ve done nothing but increase emissions despite commitments made.
Supreme Court Intervention – Carbon Pricing & Women and Girls
On September 22 and 23rd, 2020 the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the appeal of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act case. Friends of the Earth and National Association of Women and the Law applied for and were granted leave to intervene in this important case – the two organizations believe the federal government has a critical role to play in addressing climate change, and that doing so is essential for upholding the rights of women and girls.
Your investment in the CPP misses the mark on climate risk
Just before the pandemic hit, the Globe and Mail was prepared to report that the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board gave US $600,000 to partisan Republican political action committees in 2018. The money came from CPPIB-own and controlled Crestone Peak Resources. The partisan donations were part of a wider fossil fuel industry campaign to prevent stronger regulations on fracking in Colorado.
Plastic Pollution Meets Climate Damage
Every stage in the lifecycle of plastics is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions – extracting and transporting fossil fuels as feedstock, refining, manufacturing of the plastic products, use of the plastic products and waste disposal.
