Author: Shawna Stirrett
How Canada can transition to a low-carbon economy is, arguably, one of the most important public policy issues facing the country today. In November 2011, the Canada West Foundation and the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRT), held a series of roundtables to examine the risks and opportunities for western Canada as the global economy becomes more carbon-constrained.
The synthesis report from the roundtables, Cautious Optimism: Western Perspectives on a Low-Carbon Economy, outlines a number of key action items that could facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy. There may be challenges ahead, but participants were cautiously optimistic that western Canada can transition to a position of low-carbon strength.
The recommendations from Cautious Optimism: Western Perspectives on a Low-Carbon Economy will feed into the NRT’s sixth report in their Climate Prosperity program, to be released in summer 2012.