Canada promises to cut emissions by 40%... only not really: The Yes Men at Copenhagen

Canada's "announcement," given at a replica of the COP15 venue

If it's too good to be true... the Yes Men are probably involved. The legendary pranksters teamed up with "Climate Debt Agents" from ActionAid to announce Canada's bold -- but, alas, untrue -- reversal in climate policies. Timed to coincide with the UN summit on climate change in Copenhagen, the news came in a fake press release attributed to Environment Canada:

Agenda 2020 sets binding emissions reductions targets of 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 and at least 80% by 2050, in line with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and approaching the levels demanded by the African Group (link). The plan also introduces a new instrument, known as the "Climate Debt Mechanism" (CDM), committing Canada to much-needed funding to those developing countries facing the most dire consequences of climate change. CDM payments will begin with 1% and rise to the equivalent of 5% of Canada's GDP annually by 2030.

That was followed quickly by a response from a Ugandan official (also fake), who on a faux COP15 website, congratulated Canada: "This is a day that will define our century," said Margaret Matembe. "Today, we no longer have to wait for a COP20 or COP100 before the voices of our children are heard."

When the real Canada finally responded, they said, "More time should be dedicated to playing a constructive role instead of childish pranks," then accused green activist Steven Guilbeault, of Equiterre, of being behind the ruse (Guilbeault called it "shameful" that he'd be accused without proof).

Among Canada's transgresssions, according to a Yes Men statement: it's the only country in the world to bail on its Kytoto Protocol promises and was voted worst of all countries for it at last year’s climate summit in Poznan.

Update: The UpTake shoots video of the Yes Men explaining the Canada COP15 hoax.