Canadian Organizations Prepare to Launch Legal Action Against Federal Government for Climate Neglect and Propose International Environmental Summit for 2026

The groups say 2025 budget neglects emission targets and Charter rights

Montreal, November 14, 2025 — The Centre for the Promotion of Global Health (CPGH) and Global Students for Climate Justice announced on November 14 that they are actively exploring legal action against the Government of Canada for failing to protect citizens from the escalating climate crisis—a failure they claim both violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and raises serious concerns under the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on urgent climate action. A press conference will be scheduled in the near future. Details will be available in the coming days.

The announcement follows the release of the 2025 federal budget, which makes no new reference to Canada’s emission-reduction targets and omits key climate proposals advanced by the New Democratic Party, including:

-A comprehensive plan for a clean-energy transmission grid,

-A legally binding cap on oil and gas emissions, and

-A large-scale national retrofit program for Canadian homes.

“In 2024, the world’s temperature reached 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time,” said Dr. Richard Sheiner, MD, President and Founder of the Centre for the Promotion of Global Health and Co-founder of Global Students for Climate Justice. “We are now approaching—or may already have crossed—dangerous climate tipping points. Children today could face up to seven times more extreme weather events in their lifetimes than their grandparents did. When our government refuses to act, it is not just failing the planet—it is violating the rights and security of every Canadian.”

Dr. Sheiner adds: “Canada has the knowledge, technology, and public support to lead on climate action, but political delay continues to put all of us at risk. We are taking steps to ensure that our government is held accountable for protecting the rights of current and future generations.”

The groups cite the International Court of Justice’s July 2025 advisory opinion, which explained that states have a clear duty under international law to prevent foreseeable climate harm. They also note that Sections 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter guarantee Canadians the rights to life, liberty, security of the person, and equality before the law—all threatened by continued climate neglect.

The CPGH and Global Students for Climate Justice are currently reaching out to legal experts with regard to this case. In addition to legal action, the organizations are announcing a proposal for an international, independent environmental summit to complement the COP process. They are proposing that the summit would convene in 2026, pending further support, and center on passing legally binding resolutions by a two-thirds majority. The vision is to focus on legally-binding pledges for the Global Methane Pledge, the Biodiversity 30 x 30 pledge, and key provisions of the Paris Agreement. Legally-binding commitments would need to be ratified by individual nations. This proposal has been shared with Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Conference of the Parties (COP) leadership in Brazil, and the government of France. The documents will be forwarded to King Charles in the very near future. Organizers believe this approach could expedite urgent reforms by increasing accountability and accelerating progress on commitments made by nations.

“This is not just about emissions—it’s about justice, survival, and the future we owe to our children and grandchildren,” said Dr. Sheiner.

To support the summit, CPGH and Global Students for Climate Justice are in the planning stages of a “Concert for the Earth” this Spring. This concert would be available globally online, and progress has been made with regard to having it potentially viewable on large screens in major cities. It is essential that a global campaign supports these initiatives in order to create the political will necessary.

In addition, CPGH has made important strides with partners to develop a social media application for the environment. This application would have the ability to create challenges between cities and countries. Individuals and businesses would share their sustainability commitments on the home screen. It could also greatly increase global philanthropy on the climate, as well as investment opportunities. The group is hoping to have this released in the near future. Any individuals or groups with venture capital experience would be invited to reach out to info@cpgh.ca.

Finally, with regard to the climate crisis, Dr. Sheiner presented a proposal for a environmental Olympics at the June 2024 UN meetings in Germany on the We Don’t Have Time platform. This would allow countries to compete and collaborate, both as individual countries and in teams. CPGH had proposed 20 teams of 10 countries, and had envisioned that the initiative could be led by governments that are leaders in sustainability efforts. These could include the governments of China, India, Brazil, France, the UK, and Germany.

In addition to the climate crisis, CPGH has expertise and extensive experience in the promotion of peace. Please find attached a proposal for the conflict in Ukraine, which has been shared with many governments, including Norway and Turkey. This proposal is strongly supported by artificial intelligence. Beyond constituting a humanitarian crisis, this conflict is producing massive emissions, contributing to the climate crisis. The group wishes to thank President Trump and his team for their continued peace efforts in the Ukraine conflict. Their contributions toward peace in the Middle East have been remarkable.

Canadians concerned about climate justice are encouraged to visit the Global Students for Climate Justice website as the organizations move forward with their legal effort.

Enclosed is a summary of environmental organizations’ criticisms of the recent Canadian budget. Also attached, please find a letter shared with Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, containing a link to an important petition on these matters.

The groups would be honoured to collaborate with the UN, the United States, Canada, or any other nation on any of the above proposals.

Global Students for Climate Justice is a global-youth movement committed to bold and equitable climate solutions in Canada and worldwide. The Centre for the Promotion of Global Health advances innovative, collaborative projects to promote health and sustainability in the face of global challenges such as climate change.