By the Editor, Ottawa Citizen, November 21, 2016
The following is an edited excerpt from a Pembina Institute report, released Monday, entitled Out with the coal, in with the new.
As the world ratifies the Paris Agreement and works to reconcile existing climate plans with the long-term need to decouple greenhouse gas emissions from economic growth, the pace of coal plant closures has begun to define climate leadership. In order for countries like Canada to live up to the ambition of the Paris Agreement, they must work to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, and power their economies through clean energy. Because of this, an accelerated phase-out of coal-fired power is a critical piece of Canada’s climate action puzzle. Limiting the role of coal-fired power and promoting clean alternatives on Canada’s grid will ensure the process of electrification results in maximum emissions reductions for the country, and would support the country’s long- term climate ambitions.
http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/pembina-institute-the-many-benefits-of-phasing-out-coal-power