$133 Million Climate-Change Program Failed to Reduce Diesel Emissions in Canada’s North

A truck driver fills up with diesel, in a file photo. Mark Renders/Getty Images

A $133.7 million climate-change program failed to reduce diesel emissions in Canada’s northern communities, but did result in “trusting and respectful relationships” with indigenous people, according to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

“Officials described the program as primarily ‘about relationships’ which is the primary driver of program success,” said auditors “The program has successfully built trusting and respectful relationships with Indigenous and Northern communities.”

The auditors did not cite any reduction in diesel emissions as a result of the program, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

The five-year Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy (CCACE) Program was launched in 2016 to cut emissions from diesel generators, which are primarily used in Canada’s north.

According to the document, “Evaluation Of The Climate Change Adaptation And Clean Energy Program 2016 To 2021,” which was first reported by Blacklock’s, funding for the program was targeted at “reducing reliance on diesel.”

It said the program could not be assessed on how much it helped “solve” climate change adaptation and mitigation issues, “but rather the extent to which it has helped some communities better understand the issues and problems they are facing and, in some cases, take first steps towards addressing them.”

The report said there was “strong evidence” that the program was “highly relevant” when it came to helping indigenous and northern communities adapt and mitigate climate change. Those communities are “suffering disproportionate impacts of climate change,” it said, and there will need to be continued efforts to support their adaptation.

“The CCACE responds to this need by supporting planning and implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures in Indigenous and northern communities, and the CCACE is well aligned with the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, Government of Canada priorities regarding climate change, reconciliation and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous, and the mandate and priorities of the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada,” the document said.

The auditors mentioned the program’s “inefficiencies,” “delays,” and “limited capacity and expertise specifically related to the understanding of climate change,” and said program elements appeared “unclear” and “confusing.” However numerous committees and working groups were established with “dialogue” and “information sharing,” the report said.