OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney and several other world leaders who failed to attend the UN Climate Conference in Turkey have been awarded the “fossil of the day” title.
Climate Action Network International, which has handed out the satirical award since 1999, says the award went to the “absent leaders of wealthy countries,” including Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Denmark.
Canada’s reputation as a global climate leader took a hit last year when it was awarded the “fossil of the day” award at the UN Climate Conference in Brazil.
New Zealand received the award on Monday, as Climate Action Network International says its government has dismantled its climate commitments by gutting methane targets and changing the law to shield corporations from climate litigation.
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin is attending the first week of the conference and some climate activists say Canada can expect some criticism there from other nations over its recent climate policy shifts.
Since taking office, Carney has rolled back or cancelled a number of climate policies enacted by former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including the consumer carbon tax, an electric vehicle sales mandate and an emissions cap on oil and gas production.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2026.
-With files from Nick Murray
