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Canada ranks near bottom on climate change

A global survey that looks at international efforts to address climate change has yet again ranked Canada near the bottom — just as the country's top environment officials leave for a United Nations conference on the issue.

The sixth annual list compiled by 190 climate experts around the world placed Canada 54th out of 57 countries, ahead of only Australia, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

"Our federal government is not really scratching the surface of the kind of policy action that is needed to get serious about this problem," said Matthew Bramley of the Pembina Institute, an environmental think-tank that contributed to the survey.

The rankings, compiled by the German group Germanwatch, reflect both the actions and policies of the 57 countries that produce 90 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The survey includes measurements of a country's emissions, whether they are growing or shrinking and an analysis of climate change policies.

Canada doesn't look good no matter what country it is compared with. The nation is ranked last out of the top 10 carbon dioxide emitters and second-last among developed countries. Since 2006, it has never ranked higher than 46th overall.

Brazil, praised for its slowing rate of rainforest deforestation, was at the head of this year's survey. Sweden and Norway place second and third. The United States sits at 51st.

Environment Minister John Baird was preparing Monday to fly to Cancun, Mexico, for a climate change conference aimed at building on modest agreements achieved last December in Copenhagen. He repeated government policy that Canada shouldn't move in advance of what the rest of the world is doing.

Bob Weber reports for The Canadian Press.

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