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British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard reduced transportation emissions by an average of 6% annually from 2010 to 2020 and is projected to drive 31% of the province's 2030 reduction targets. The document proposes expanding the regulation to include jet and marine fuels, as well as direct air capture with permanent storage, to address hard-to-abate sectors and negative emissions. To maximize effectiveness, the author recommends closing the incentive gap that currently favors renewable diesel over low-carbon jet fuel, incorporating indirect land-use change (ILUC) into carbon footprint measurements to support advanced biofuels, and allowing direct air capture credits for projects located outside British Columbia to accelerate technology deployment.
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Document type: Policy brief
Two Roads Approach to Co-Reclamation
The research paper presents the 'Two-Roads Approach' and the 'Intercultural Reclamation and Closure Framework' as methods to address the exclusion of Indigenous rights holders from oil sands mine closure planning in Canada. Developed through a partnership between Fort McKay First Nation and academic researchers, these tools aim to bridge Western scientific perspectives with Cree and Dene knowledge. Key outputs include the 'Cycle of Respect'—an intercultural code of conduct—and a six-stage framework for co-reclamation. The document emphasizes that restoring peatlands (muskeg) and forests is a critical climate mitigation action and that inclusive reclamation serves as a form of reconciliation for the degradation of traditional territories.
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Document type: Research paper
Une approche à deux voies de la remise en état collaborative
The research paper details a partnership between the Fort McKay First Nation, the Universities of Calgary and Waterloo, and the oil sands industry to address gaps in mine reclamation policies. It introduces the 'two-eyed approach' for intercultural governance, the 'Respect Cycle' as an ethical code for collaboration, and an 'Intercultural Closure and Reclamation Framework' consisting of six phases to ensure restored lands provide socio-economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. The document emphasizes that inclusive reclamation is a form of reconciliation and essential for an ethical energy transition in Canada.
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Document type: Research paper
Communication rights for Indigenous People: A call to action
The statement by Cree Elder Doreen Spence calls for the restoration of communication rights for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, emphasizing the role of media accountability, church involvement in reconciliation, and the importance of oral history in countering the legacy of colonial genocide and assimilation.
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Document type: Statement
BIGGER, CLEANER, SMARTER
The report argues that Canada's electricity systems must become "bigger, cleaner, and smarter" to serve as the backbone of a net zero economy by 2050. It identifies 'safe bets'—commercially available solutions like wind, solar, and energy efficiency—and 'wild cards'—emerging or high-barrier technologies like small modular reactors and carbon capture. The analysis emphasizes that while technical pathways exist, significant social, political, and institutional barriers, such as interregional grid integration and local opposition, must be overcome. It also highlights the unique challenges faced by remote communities and the necessity of Indigenous leadership in the energy transition.
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Document type: Report
ÉLECTRO-FÉDÉRALISME POLITIQUES POUR ALIGNER LES SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRIQUES AVEC LA CARBONEUTRALITÉ
The report identifies four critical barriers to Canada's electricity transition: misaligned federal climate policies, lack of provincial institutional coordination, potential electricity rate increases, and insufficient interregional connectivity. To overcome these, it advocates for a combination of federal carbon pricing reform, the implementation of national performance standards, and the use of negotiated agreements where federal funding is tied to provincial governance reforms. Key recommendations include clarifying the mandates of provincial regulators to include climate goals, developing comprehensive energy plans, and utilizing the tax base rather than just electricity rates to fund infrastructure and support low-income households.
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Document type: Report
ELECTRIC FEDERALISM POLICY FOR ALIGNING CANADIAN ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS WITH NET ZERO
The report identifies four critical policy challenges in Canada's transition to a net zero electricity system by 2035: misalignment of federal climate policy, lack of coordination among provincial institutions, potential upward pressure on electricity rates, and weak incentives for interregional grid integration. To address these, the authors propose a framework of 'electric federalism' involving strengthened carbon pricing, the implementation of performance standards, and the use of government tax bases to fund infrastructure investments to protect low-income ratepayers. The report emphasizes the need for provincial regulators to have mandates explicitly aligned with climate goals and suggests that the federal government use negotiated agreements—similar to health transfers—to provide financial support conditional on provincial policy reforms.
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Document type: Report
NET ZERO OPPORTUNITIES
The report analyzes how Canadian provinces are positioned to navigate the net zero transition, focusing on 'demand-creation' sectors. It identifies a performance gap between the four largest provinces—British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta—which are leading in innovation and investment, and smaller provinces that are just beginning to develop these markets. The document provides five strategic recommendations for provincial and federal governments to build investor confidence, connect innovators with buyers, support rural and Indigenous communities, leverage high-potential companies, and increase R&D investment.
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Document type: Report
LES POSSIBILITÉS DE LA TRANSITION CARBONEUTRE
The report analyzes how Canadian provinces are positioned to benefit from the global shift toward a net-zero economy, identifying leaders and laggards in the creation of clean-growth enterprises. It highlights that while Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta lead in company creation and investment, other provinces show varying levels of progress. The document outlines ten promising transition markets—including clean electricity, batteries, and hydrogen—and provides five strategic recommendations for provincial and federal governments to enhance competitiveness, attract private investment, and ensure a just transition for vulnerable rural and Indigenous communities.
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Document type: Report
NDC Assessment: How Do Advanced Low-Emission Energy and Climate Technologies Factor into Nationally Determined Contributions?
The report reviews 42 NDCs to identify national priorities for advanced low-emission technologies. It finds that 14 jurisdictions include carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), 16 include low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, and 11 prioritize nuclear energy. The analysis highlights a mix of developed and developing nations seeking these technologies, with some relying on international financial and technological support for implementation.
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Document type: Report
Simulating Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan Policy Assumptions
The report outlines the assumptions for 25 federal policies categorized as legislated/developed, developing, or announced. Key measures include a federal fuel charge and Output-Based Pricing System reaching $170/tCO2e by 2030, a proposed emissions cap on the oil and gas sector, and a Clean Electricity Standard aiming for net-zero by 2035. The document specifies simulation scenarios for these policies, including varying stringency levels for methane reductions, ZEV mandates, and building efficiency standards, alongside detailed funding allocations for infrastructure, hydrogen projects, and industrial decarbonization.
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Document type: Research paper
Coopération nordique et provincialisme canadien
The document analyzes how Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland created a highly integrated electricity market, notably through the Nord Pool exchange, to balance variable renewable energy with hydroelectric storage. It argues that Canada's 'balkanized' grid, characterized by provincial control and political resistance, could benefit from similar bilateral exchanges—specifically linking hydroelectric-rich provinces like Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia with those transitioning from fossil fuels—to lower costs and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
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Document type: Case study
Nordic Co-operation, Canadian Provincialism
The document analyzes the Nordic model of electricity co-operation—characterized by two-way trade, market harmonization via Nord Pool, and regional governance—as a blueprint for Canada. It argues that Canadian provinces could lower decarbonization costs by using hydro-rich provinces as 'batteries' to back up variable renewable energy in other regions, provided they overcome political resistance and regulatory misalignment.
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Document type: Case study
Blocking Ambition: Fossil fuel subsidies in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador
The report finds that British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador provided at least CAD 2.5 billion in fossil fuel subsidies in FY 2020/21 and CAD 1.5 billion in FY 2021/22. It argues that these subsidies incentivize production that might not otherwise occur and hinder Canada's ability to meet its 1.5°C climate target.
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Document type: Report
Blocking Ambition
The report identifies that four major Canadian fossil fuel-producing provinces provided at least CAD 2.5 billion in subsidies in FY 2020/21 and 1.5 billion in FY 2021/22 (up to December 2021). These subsidies, consisting of royalty reductions, tax exemptions, and direct transfers, are described as incompatible with 1.5°C goals and a hindrance to Canada's Paris Agreement obligations. The authors highlight a lack of transparency in provincial budgeting and a trend of using fossil fuel support as a COVID-19 recovery strategy. The report recommends that provinces increase transparency, align with federal targets to phase out subsidies by 2023, cease creating new subsidies, and collaborate with the federal government.
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Document type: Report
Preparing for Climate Change in the Prairie Provinces
A survey of over 300 municipalities and Indigenous communities in the Prairie provinces reveals that while over 80% have experienced unusual extreme weather in the last decade, formal preparation is low, with only 5% having completed a formal adaptation plan. Communities report significant barriers to progress, including limited financial resources, staff time, and technical skills.
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Document type: Briefing
Stronger carbon pricing is the way to net zero
The authors propose a two-pronged approach to reach net-zero electricity in Canada by 2035: removing the output-based pricing system (OBPS) for electricity to increase emission incentives while rebating revenues to consumers, and implementing a performance-standard regulation to limit emission intensity of new and existing facilities.
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Document type: Research paper
Misons sur l’avantage électrique du Canada
The Canadian Climate Institute proposes a two-pronged strategy to reach carbon neutrality in the electricity sector by 2035. First, it recommends enhancing carbon pricing by eliminating the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) for electricity and using financial instruments like the Canada Infrastructure Bank to reduce investment uncertainty. Second, it suggests a clean electricity standard that sets emission intensity ceilings for new plants and mandates full carbon neutrality for all plants by 2035, allowing for flexibility through carbon offsets to ensure grid reliability.
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Document type: Policy brief
Vers l’objectif de carboneutralité
The report details a series of virtual workshops held in 2021 involving approximately 30 civil society organizations to discuss Canada's net-zero goals. The findings highlight a strong consensus on the need for absolute emission reductions, the phase-out of fossil fuels, and the prioritization of 'safe bets' like clean electricity and energy efficiency over uncertain technologies. Key areas of concern include the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS), the use of carbon offsets, and the necessity of integrating climate justice and Indigenous reconciliation into national strategies. The document concludes with a set of proposed 'guardrails' and policy demands to guide Canada's transition to carbon neutrality.
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Document type: Report
Regulatory Continuous Improvement: Lessons from British Columbia’s new statutory audit function’s application to mine tailings facilities
The document details the establishment of the Mine Audits Unit and the role of the Chief Auditor in British Columbia, created to ensure independent, transparent evaluation of the provincial mining regulatory framework. This initiative followed the 2014 Mount Polley tailings storage facility breach and a 2016 Auditor General report that found compliance and enforcement activities were inadequate. The first major audit focused on Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs), concluding that 2016 Code revisions have had positive impacts but identifying seven recommendations for improvement, including resolving inconsistencies with the Water Sustainability Act and clarifying ambiguous language. The Ministry has accepted these recommendations and established a Strategy and Advisory Services Team to implement them.
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Document type: Case study