OTTAWA — Canada faced criticism on Tuesday when it was awarded the satirical title of "fossil of the day" at the UN Climate Conference in Brazil. This recognition, given by Climate Action Network International, highlights perceived failures in Canada’s climate policy. It marks the first time in over a decade that Canada has received this dubious honor, with the organization stating that the country is "flushing years of climate action down the drain."

Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the conference on Monday, asserting that Canada respects its commitments under the Paris Agreement and intends to fulfill them. However, this was the first clear statement from the government regarding its climate policy in several months. The announcement prompted Green Party Leader Elizabeth May to support the government in passing the budget.

Canada is legally obligated to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, a target established in legislation in 2021. To reach this goal, the country aims to cut emissions to at least 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Prior to Monday's statement, Carney and his ministers had been vague about Canada’s commitments, focusing instead on the longer-term net-zero target.

The recent federal budget included plans to reinforce the government’s industrial carbon pricing policy and finalize regulations on methane emissions. However, it also indicated a potential rollback of the requirement for upstream oil and gas operations to reduce emissions to 35% below 2019 levels by 2030.

Caroline Brouillette, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, expressed concern over the government's climate policy. "It’s sad to see Canada embarrassed on the international stage like this, but even more heartbreaking has been seeing the hard-won and substantial climate progress that we achieved over the past 10 years be torn away piece by piece," she said. Brouillette emphasized that the situation sends a clear message to Prime Minister Carney about the global perception of Canada’s climate actions.

Federal Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault, who previously co-chaired the organization that awards the "fossil" titles, did not respond to questions regarding the award as he entered the House of Commons on Wednesday. Bloc Québécois MP Patrick Bonin, who serves as the party's climate critic, stated that the award was well-deserved. "After a string of environmental rollbacks, and increasing and extending subsidies to the oil and gas industry until 2040, it’s really the only award that the Liberals could have hoped to win," Bonin remarked.

This recognition at COP30 underscores the ongoing debate about Canada’s climate commitments and the effectiveness of its policies in addressing climate change.