On November 12, 2024, the Hague Appeals Court overturned a landmark 2021 decision ordering oil giant Shell to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 45% from 2019 levels by 2030.
On October 17, 2024, Ontario’s Court of Appeal sided with a group of young climate activists in its Mathur v Ontario decision, reviving a case against the province which was previously dismissed in April 2023.
On October 9, 2024, the Canadian government announced that it will establish a “Made-in-Canada” sustainable investing taxonomy, and institute mandatory climate disclosure requirements for large, federally-incorporated private companies.
The legislation’s goal is to support workers and communities by creating high-quality, socially-responsible (and preferably unionized) jobs, as part of the transition away from fossil fuels.
The European Court of Human Rights delivered its long-awaited first ruling in the climate action case Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz v. Switzerland, finding that the European Convention on Human Rights encompasses the right to effective protection from adverse effects of climate change.
On Monday, November 27, 2023, Alberta’s legislature tabled a resolution to invoke its controversial Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act for the first time. The Act allows Alberta’s legislature to pass resolutions to identify and disregard specific federal legislation or policies as either unconstitutional or causing harm to Albertans.
Last month, Environment and Climate Change Canada released Faster and Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy. The document set out Canada’s plan to reduce methane emissions across key economic sectors of the Canadian economy, while positioning the country to benefit from potential economic opportunities that may arise from such action.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is considering two options to put a steadily-lowering ‘cap’ on oil and gas sector emissions: a national oil industry cap and trade program, or additional regulations under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act that could result in an industry-specific carbon pricing rate.
