Just Transition for Workers and Communities Displaced by Climate Action

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) submitted a statement to the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities advocating for the accelerated phase-out of coal-fired power plants. CAPE argues that while closing these plants provides critical climate and public health benefits, it must be accompanied by a just transition plan to protect the social determinants of health for displaced workers and communities.

• Coal-fired power plants are major contributors to global and national greenhouse gas emissions. Globally, they account for 44% of energy-related GHGs and 29% of all anthropogenic GHGs. In Canada, coal plants were responsible for approximately 15% of GHGs before 2005, a figure that decreased to 8.4% in 2014 following the phase-out of six plants in Ontario.
• The phase-out of coal plants in Canada would yield significant health and economic benefits by reducing air pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone. CAPE estimates that an accelerated phase-out could produce air pollution-related health benefits valued at $4.9 billion.
• Coal-fired power plants are the primary source of mercury emissions in Canada, which can lead to cognitive and motor skill impairments, particularly in children and Arctic populations. In 2014, these plants were responsible for nearly 35% of national mercury emissions into the air. Specific provincial impacts include Saskatchewan plants accounting for 80% of that province's emissions and New Brunswick's single plant accounting for 95% of its emissions.
• To prevent the loss of 'social determinants of health'—such as employment and income—the transition away from coal must include a comprehensive just transition plan. This should include long-term planning, retraining and relocation programs for displaced workers, and extended severance and pensions for older workers.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2018). Just Transition for Workers and Communities Displaced by Climate Action. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/just-transition-statement-july-31-2018.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Just Transition for Workers and Communities Displaced by Climate Action. 2018. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/just-transition-statement-july-31-2018.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Just Transition for Workers and Communities Displaced by Climate Action |date=31 July 2018 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/just-transition-statement-july-31-2018.pdf#new_tab |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2018just, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Just Transition for Workers and Communities Displaced by Climate Action}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2018}, month = jul, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/just-transition-statement-july-31-2018.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }