Clean Energy and Climate Action: A North American Collaboration

The report outlines the results of expert dialogues held between 2009 and 2010 focused on North American energy and climate collaboration. It highlights a period of significant political uncertainty, particularly regarding U.S. federal legislation, and argues that Canada and Mexico must engage actively in policy discussions to avoid becoming "policy takers." Key areas for cooperation include carbon pricing, renewable energy investment, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and transportation fuel standards. The document emphasizes that while a unified "North American Bubble" for emissions targets is unlikely, pragmatic, sector-specific coordination and the harmonization of technical standards offer viable paths forward in the absence of a continental regulatory framework.

• There is significant political and policy uncertainty in North America, particularly concerning the development of a strong regulatory framework or carbon price signal. While clean energy is promoted for jobs and energy security, the prospect of a U.S. climate change bill in 2010 appeared slim.
• Canada and Mexico face the risk of becoming "policy takers" if they do not actively participate in policy discussions before the United States finalizes its own approach. There is a noted lack of leadership at the federal level in Canada, while Mexico struggles with capacity, funding, and resources.
• A continental cap-and-trade framework is hindered by uncertainty over the "rules of the game" and a lack of information sharing. While a joint "North American Bubble" target is considered very difficult to implement, sector-specific policies—particularly in the electricity sector—could serve as role models.
• Investment in clean energy is increasing in the United States, but Canada is not acting on similar opportunities to the same degree, often relying on provincial rather than federal initiatives. Mexico's clean energy development is obstructed by the need for capacity building and the role of national corporations like Pemex.
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is viewed as one tool within a broader carbon management strategy rather than a total solution. While the U.S. and Canada have progressed in cross-border coordination, Mexico's involvement has been very limited.
• The transportation sector offers feasible short-to-medium term coordination opportunities, specifically through low carbon fuel standards. In Mexico, emissions are significantly impacted by the illegal import of older, inefficient "chocolate" vehicles from the U.S.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2010). Clean Energy and Climate Action: A North American Collaboration. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/clean_energy_climate_action_synthesis.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Clean Energy and Climate Action: A North American Collaboration. 2010. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/clean_energy_climate_action_synthesis.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Clean Energy and Climate Action: A North American Collaboration |date=May 2010 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/clean_energy_climate_action_synthesis.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2010clean, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Clean Energy and Climate Action: A North American Collaboration}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2010}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/clean_energy_climate_action_synthesis.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }