CALGARY, AB May 16, 2016 – Western Canadian premiers will protect both the environment and the economy if they put political differences aside and work together on a climate strategy that reduces global greenhouse gas emissions, says a report released today.
The path to meet Ottawa’s ambitious emission reduction targets runs through the energy-intensive, trade-exposed economies of western Canada, argue authors Trevor McLeod and Shafak Sajid. Western premiers need to proactively design an approach that reduces emissions without harming economic competitiveness, states Look Out: Toward a climate strategy that reduces global emissions.
The report, produced by the Foundation’s Centre for Natural Resources Policy, urges the premiers of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to bury the hatchet and consider the entire region’s interests. An integrated western electricity grid, for example, would make a sizeable dent in consumer-side emissions if it could be built at a reasonable cost.
“A well-designed carbon price can also help achieve western climate goals – and Saskatchewan in particular should take note,” said McLeod, director of the Natural Resources centre.
“It is critical that a Canadian climate strategy looks at how to reduce global emissions, not simply move Canadian emissions elsewhere,” said Sajid, a policy analyst at the Foundation. However, “This is not an excuse for the West to do nothing.”
The report urges the West to co-operate with Ottawa in the push to reduce consumer-side emissions. The full version of Look Out: Toward a climate strategy that reduces global emissions can be downloaded here.