LETTER

 

----- Most favour ambitious climate targets

 

       In the latest survey by Clean Energy Canada and Abacus Data, almost three out of four Canadians (72%) think that those countries which set more ambitious targets will end up stronger economically than those countries which don’t pursue such targets. 

       While believing ambitious targets are good for longer term economic competitiveness, many Canadians do not follow the debate about specific targets closely. Only 8% say they follow specific targets pretty closely. Another 52% say they have a general sense but don’t pay attention to targets per se. Finally 41% say they find it all pretty confusing. 

       Most people want to know that there are goals, and policies to back them up, but also recognize that knowing exactly how and which elements of innovation will effect change can be difficult.  Based on what they know or guess are Canada’s emissions reduction targets, one in four (24%) people believe our targets are too ambitious, one in five say not ambitious enough (20%) and a slight majority (56%) say they are about right.

       A second question provided the information that Canada’s targets were a 40%-45% reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. The majority held to the view that this target was about right (52%).

       There are some notable differences in opinion on whether Canada’s ambition is set at the right level. People over 60 (43%), Albertans (43%) and Conservative voters (54%) are all more likely to say the target is too ambitious. Relatively few, and even only 35% of Green Party supporters, believe the target is not ambitious enough. 

Keri McNamara, Clean Energy Canada

Vancouver