OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with several global leaders, has come under scrutiny for failing to attend the UN Climate Conference held in Turkey. Their absence has earned them the satirical title of “fossil of the day,” which has been awarded by Climate Action Network International since 1999.

On Tuesday, this particular award was directed at the “absent leaders of wealthy countries” including Canada, Germany, France, Japan, and Denmark. In a press release, Climate Action Network International highlighted the disappointment expressed by the global community, stating that the empty chairs of these leaders send a bleak message regarding their commitment to international climate cooperation.

The organization noted, “Despite widespread public demands for stronger climate action, these countries’ empty chairs send a dismal signal about their commitment to international climate co-operation.” Unlike the United States, which has notably withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, these leaders opted not to prioritize their presence at COP31.

The press release emphasized that the leaders’ summit is a crucial venue where heads of government set political direction, develop alliances, and foster the trust necessary to advance negotiations. It further underscored the importance of these leaders engaging directly with their counterparts from vulnerable countries to understand their priority issues firsthand, stating, “With multilateral co-operation under growing strain, that matters more than ever.”

Canada's standing as a global climate leader has suffered, particularly after receiving the same “fossil of the day” award at the UN Climate Conference in Brazil the previous year. At that time, Climate Action Network International criticized Canada for effectively reversing years of climate progress, saying the nation was “flushing years of climate action down the drain.”

On the preceding Monday, New Zealand was awarded the “fossil of the day” title for dismantling its climate commitments, particularly in terms of methane targets and legal protections for corporations against climate litigation.

While Canada's Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin is present during the first week of the conference, climate activists anticipate backlash regarding Canada’s recent policy shifts, which have raised eyebrows internationally. Since taking office, Carney has rescinded several climate policies that were previously established under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. These include the consumer carbon tax, a sales mandate for electric vehicles, and an emissions cap on oil and gas production.

A report released by Canada’s environment commissioner last month revealed that the government has stopped efforts towards implementing a 2021 pledge to ban thermal coal exports, with no formal directive supporting this decision. While Ottawa claims this work is merely “paused,” the report indicates that the cessation of efforts was formalized in August 2025 as part of budget cuts.

During the conference, Carney was in Montreal hosting a discussion with leaders from Canada’s cultural sector, emphasizing federal investments that support Canadian culture. Following this event, he is slated to join a national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa before embarking on a 10-day overseas trip that notably excludes COP in Turkey.

His itinerary will include participation in the European Political Community summit in Dublin, Ireland, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila, Philippines, the biennial Francophonie summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China.

This report originates from The Canadian Press and was initially published on November 10, 2026, with contributions from Nick Murray and Dylan Robertson.