Prime Minister Mark Carney and other wealthy-country leaders absent from the UN climate conference in Turkey have received a satirical “fossil of the day” award from Climate Action Network International, according to reporting by Catherine Morrison of The Canadian Press published by CityNews.

The advocacy network said Tuesday’s award targeted absent leaders from countries including Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Denmark. The group has handed out the distinction since 1999.

“Despite widespread public demands for stronger climate action, these countries’ empty chairs send a dismal signal about their commitment to international climate co-operation,” the network said in a news release.

The organization argued that the leaders’ summit gives heads of government an opportunity to set political direction, build alliances and establish trust needed for negotiations. It also allows them to hear directly from leaders of countries vulnerable to climate change, the group said.

Carney’s absence does not mean Canada is without representation at COP31. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin is attending the conference’s first week. Some climate activists told The Canadian Press that Canada could face criticism from other countries over recent changes to federal climate policy.

Since taking office, Carney has rolled back or cancelled measures introduced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including the consumer carbon tax, an electric-vehicle sales mandate and an emissions cap on oil and gas production.

A report issued last month by Canada’s environment commissioner also found that the government abandoned work in 2024 on a 2021 pledge to ban thermal-coal exports, without a recorded directive to do so. Ottawa has described the work as “paused,” although the commissioner reported that its end was formalized in August 2025 as part of budget cuts.

Canada also received the network’s award at last year’s UN climate conference in Brazil, when the organization accused it of reversing years of climate action.

Carney was in Montreal on Tuesday for a discussion with cultural-sector leaders. He is scheduled to attend the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on Wednesday before leaving on a 10-day trip with summit stops in Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia and China. Turkey is not on that itinerary.

Sources