Canada’s major-projects agenda has a carbon blind spot
Canada’s efforts to protect nature and accelerate major infrastructure projects are moving in conflicting directions, potentially putting carbon-rich ecosystems at risk before they can be properly mapped and assessed, write Jennifer McHenry and Bryce O’Brien from the University of Victoria and Susanna Fuller, VP at Oceans North, in an op-ed. They warn that fast-tracked projects such as LNG and offshore energy developments could disturb natural carbon sinks, undermining climate goals and causing economic and ecological losses that are not reflected in current project assessments. They urge the federal government to fund coastal mapping, extend reviews for projects in unmapped areas, delay development-zone approvals until baseline data is available and require scientific evidence to be incorporated into environmental decisions.
