Authors: Jillian Bollinger & Dr. Kari Roberts
Building On Our Strengths presents a basic inventory of current federal, provincial, and territorial climate change policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by changing how we produce and consume energy. The report does not address policies aimed at adapting to the effects of climate change.
The rapidly changing policy environment surrounding climate change initiatives poses a challenge to an up-to-date inventory of climate change efforts. The authors have done their best to include policy developments to the end of 2007. It should also be noted that many government initiatives overlap, both across programs and across jurisdictions. For example, some initiatives that may have an impact upon GHG emissions may be presented in other sections of the report, as they are lodged in other policy areas.
Building On Our Strengths is the first of two reports that will provide important background information about what is currently being done in Canada and the US to address climate change. The second report will examine current climate change policy in Canadian cities and in select US jurisdictions.
The report provides context for a discussion of what else can and should be done by governments to address the climate change challenge. Charting the path forward will be easier once we gain a sense of where we are right now.
Although the provinces, territories and the federal government are addressing the same challenges, the inventory reveals significant differences in approach and timelines. Given this, Canada’s provinces and territories, in concert with the federal government, should consider a more coordinated approach. At the same time, the policy experimentation that is taking place provides an opportunity for jurisdictions to learn from one another.
This report is part of the Canada West Foundation’s Getting it Right Project. Funding for the Getting it Right Project has been provided by the Max Bell Foundation.