We have just seen 200 world leaders meet at the Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Scotland make commitments to help limit global greenhouse gas emissions. We continue to see extreme weather events happening across the country, and the globe. We continue to see the impact of a changing climate in remote northern communities, like Fort Chipewyan. These are constant reminders about the climate crisis.

In Fort Chipewyan, Three Nations Energy (3NE) works on projects that prioritize protecting the environment, while benefiting the local economy. Some of the goals of 3NE include:

  • Reducing Fort Chip’s dependence on outside energy sources (such as diesel)
  • Keeping Fort Chip money in Fort Chip
  • Relying on local energy sources such as solar for electricity and wood for heating
  • Growing Indigenous business locally and across Canada
  • Growing partnerships within Fort Chip and with Industry leaders

3NE has been working hard to support many green energy projects in the community that align with these goals, from Canada’s largest solar farm in a remote northern community, to a wood fuel business, to local food production projects, and more. While 3NE’s goals are used when making business decisions and guiding the types of projects they take on, COP26 agreements will guide Canada to support projects that will protect the environment.

The United Nations holds a climate change conference every year, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP). This year, the United Kingdom hosted the 26th COP in Glasgow, Scotland from October 31 – November 12, 2021. The goal was to ensure countries made commitments to address climate change. If you’re looking to learn more about COP26, check out this easy-to-read backgrounder we’ve put together.

Canada made some significant commitments at COP26:

  • Pledge to End Deforestation – Canada joined more than 130 countries to sign a declaration to protect forests and land by 2030 that will ensure the protection of 3.6 billion hectares of forest around the world
  • Global Methane Pledge – Canada agreed to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas methane by 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030 and reduce methane emissions from oil and gas by 75% below 2012 levels by 2030
  • International Oil and Gas Financing – Canada joined 30 other countries to end financing to international oil and gas projects by the end of next year
  • Zero-Emission Car Accord – Canada joined 14 other countries to work toward 100% of new truck and bus sales will be zero-emission by 2040 and sales of new cars and vans will be zero emission by 2040 or earlier
  • Call for a Global Carbon Tax – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked countries to agree to a global price on carbon

COP26 has wrapped up, but we can look for new programs to be made available to support green energy projects as we work to reduce our impact on the environment.