Policy Tools That Support Transition Into a Green Economy

The briefing discusses institutional and policy processes (IPPs) as tools to create conditions for a green economy transition. It highlights Ontario's Green Button program as a method to increase energy-use data access for consumers to improve energy efficiency. In Manitoba, the document notes the use of sustainable development procurement guidelines and idle-free zone awareness. While IPPs are easier to implement than fiscal or regulatory mandates, the text notes they generally have a lower impact and should be balanced with other tools.

• Institutional and policy processes (IPPs) are actions taken by entities, such as governments, to improve sustainable operations and foster green transitions. Examples include policy mandates, sustainable procurement, and measures for education, capacity building, and information access.
• Ontario's Green Button program, launched in 2012, aims to increase energy efficiency by providing users with direct access to electricity-use data. As of the report date, the 'Download My Data' (DMD) standard is available to approximately 50 per cent of Ontario energy customers, with a 'Connect My Data' (CMD) phase planned for 2013-2014.
• Manitoba utilizes sustainable development procurement guidelines and education regarding idle-free zones as IPPs. While sustainable procurement allows the government to lead by example and encourage private sector change, the Government of Manitoba lacks sufficient market influence to drive the green transition independently.
• IPPs are generally easier and faster to implement than fiscal mechanisms or mandatory regulations, but they typically result in a lower impact and take longer to yield benefits.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2013). Policy Tools That Support Transition Into a Green Economy. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/policy-tools-transition-green-economy-ipp.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Policy Tools That Support Transition Into a Green Economy. 2013. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/policy-tools-transition-green-economy-ipp.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Policy Tools That Support Transition Into a Green Economy |date=September 2013 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/policy-tools-transition-green-economy-ipp.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2013policy, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Policy Tools That Support Transition Into a Green Economy}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2013}, month = sep, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/policy-tools-transition-green-economy-ipp.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }