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The document outlines the environmental and social risks associated with mine waste—such as reactive mineralization affecting air and water—and highlights the leadership of Ghana and British Columbia in implementing legal frameworks and risk response strategies. It emphasizes that both jurisdictions, despite different mining histories, can provide lessons on effective waste management to avoid catastrophic impacts on ecosystems and communities.

The report examines 'whole-of-government' approaches to climate change, emphasizing the need for central leadership, clear mandates, and transparency to overcome ministerial silos. Through case studies of the UK, US, and British Columbia, it highlights that while such approaches can foster collaboration, they are often fragile and dependent on the political will of the head of government. The author recommends that Canada establish a dedicated Cabinet committee and a central coordination secretariat to integrate climate considerations across all public policies.

The author contends that the perceived conflict between the economy and the environment is false, asserting that climate inaction is destructive to economic growth. Citing the 2021 floods and mudslides in British Columbia, the text highlights the massive financial losses caused by disrupted supply chains and infrastructure failure. It notes that climate-related catastrophes have cost Canada approximately 5% to 6% of its annual GDP growth since 2010. The document calls for urgent investment in future-proof, carbon-neutral infrastructure and the modernization of outdated climate risk data to protect the national economy.

The Canadian Climate Institute asserts that climate policy can no longer be the sole responsibility of Environment and Climate Change Canada, as it now impacts multiple ministries including agriculture, transport, and natural resources. The author argues that current ministerial silos lead to inefficient policies and recommends the creation of a dedicated Cabinet committee on climate issues, increased resources for the Privy Council Office's climate secretariat, and strong executive leadership from the Prime Minister. The text highlights that successful whole-of-government models have been used historically in Canada during WWII and more recently in British Columbia, the UK, and the US.

The Canadian Climate Institute asserts that Canada requires a whole-of-government approach to climate change to ensure that all departments work collaboratively rather than in silos. While some structures exist, such as a climate secretariat in the Privy Council Office, the author recommends establishing a dedicated cabinet committee for climate change, expanding the Privy Council Office's secretariat, and implementing a 'climate lens' for all government decision-making. Success depends on sustained executive leadership from the Prime Minister, buy-in across the public service, adequate resources, and external accountability through advisory bodies.

The document advocates for a 'whole-of-government' approach to climate change in Canada, defined as the use of governance structures (like cabinet committees) and processes (like mandate letters) to coordinate action across departmental silos. Through case studies of the UK, US, and British Columbia, it identifies that success depends on sustained executive leadership, adequate resources, and empowered personnel. It warns that such structures are fragile and can be easily dismantled by changes in government. For Canada, the brief recommends establishing a Prime Minister-chaired Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Net Zero, supported by a high-level coordinating Secretariat in the Privy Council or Prime Minister's Office.

The document emphasizes the urgency of COP26, noting that global warming is occurring faster than expected and that Canada is warming twice as fast as the global average. It highlights the human cost, citing 569 deaths in British Columbia from a heatwave, and the economic risk, noting that climate-related catastrophes have cost Canada 5-6% of its annual GDP growth since 2010. The author argues that achieving global carbon neutrality by 2050 is essential to limit warming to 1.5 °C and protect Canada's export economy as global investments shift away from carbon-intensive sectors.

The author asserts that COP26 is a pivotal moment to act on climate change, noting that global warming is accelerating and Canada is warming twice as fast as the global average. The text highlights the human cost, citing 569 deaths in British Columbia from a heat wave, and the economic risk, noting that weather-related disasters have cost Canada 5 to 6 per cent of annual GDP growth since 2010. It emphasizes that achieving net zero emissions globally by 2050 could still limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The report evaluates zero-emission alternatives to natural gas-driven pneumatic controllers, which are known to release methane. It focuses on electric controllers and solar-powered instrument air systems, finding that both are cost-effective compared to the social cost of methane. The analysis highlights that electric controllers generally offer the lowest abatement costs and that recent technological advancements, such as vertical solar panel stacking and new failsafe systems for Emergency Shut Down (ESD), have expanded the viability of these technologies.

The report examines the intersection of climate change and agriculture in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. It highlights that while the Prairies are warming faster than most of Canada, leading to increased risks of drought, flooding, and pests, the agricultural sector also contributes significantly to national emissions, particularly through nitrogen fertilizer and livestock. The authors argue that current federal and provincial policies lack concrete sectoral targets and comprehensive strategies, recommending a shift toward agroecology, reinstated public extension services, and targeted financial incentives for beneficial management practices to ensure long-term viability.

The report presents a business case for investing in community-based water monitoring (CBWM) in Canada, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and scientific rigour compared to conventional public sector monitoring. It identifies a critical data gap, noting that 100 of Canada's 167 sub-watersheds lack sufficient data to report on health. Through case studies in the Lake Winnipeg basin, the Kaska Dena ancestral territory, and the Annapolis River, the document demonstrates that CBWM can reduce costs (e.g., a 3.4:1 expense difference in the Lake Winnipeg case) and integrate Traditional Knowledge. The author argues that the current 'non-profit starvation cycle'—driven by short-term, competitive grants—is incompatible with the long-term nature of environmental monitoring and recommends a 5-year core funding model to ensure data continuity and support Canada's climate and conservation targets.

The report advocates for a shift from short-term project-based funding to long-term core funding for community-based water monitoring (CBWM) in Canada. It highlights that 100 of 167 Canadian watersheds lack sufficient data for quality scoring, creating a gap that CBWM can fill more cost-effectively than professional government monitoring. Through three case studies—the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, the Kaska Guardians, and the Clean Annapolis River Project—the document demonstrates that CBWM can achieve a return on investment exceeding 3:1 and up to 11.6:1 in some instances. The report recommends the creation of a five-year pilot project and the use of a proposed Canadian Water Agency to coordinate these efforts to improve environmental governance and climate adaptation.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) asserts that the government must shift from risk management to a hazard prevention paradigm to protect public health. Key recommendations include eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, reforming the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), implementing a just transition for workers and Indigenous peoples, and adopting a planetary health lens to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation.

The document introduces Indigenomics as a model for economic development that centres Indigenous rights, knowledge, and stewardship. It argues that a successful low-carbon transition in Canada requires economic reconciliation and the integration of Indigenous worldviews, which are described as the original 'green' and 'circular' economies. The author highlights several Indigenous-led initiatives, including the Great Bear Forest Carbon Project and the Indigenous Guardians Program, as evidence of leadership in climate action and environmental justice.

The essay introduces 'indigenomics' as a framework that blends traditional Indigenous principles—such as circular, regenerative, and gift economies—with modern business practices. It asserts that Indigenous knowledge systems and rights are essential for effective climate adaptation and mitigation, as Indigenous peoples manage vital carbon-storing ecosystems and possess long-term territorial memory. The author highlights several leadership initiatives, including the Great Bear Forest carbon project and Indigenous Protected and Conservation Areas, to demonstrate how Indigenous governance can drive environmental justice. The document concludes that a successful transition to a green economy in Canada requires economic reconciliation and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in national climate and economic strategies.

The document advocates for the recognition of Indigenous stewardship and the expansion of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and Guardian programs as essential tools for climate mitigation and biodiversity preservation in Canada.

The document outlines how Indigenous-led conservation, specifically through Guardian programs and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), provides a scalable model for climate resilience and carbon sequestration in Canada. Using the Heiltsuk Nation's 14,000-year history of stewardship as a foundation, it advocates for a convergence of traditional knowledge and western science to manage ecosystems. The author highlights the critical role of the boreal forest in storing carbon and recommends that Crown governments provide long-term investment in Indigenous-led stewardship to achieve national conservation targets.

Coal producers in the US and Canada plan to invest $4.8 billion USD in 15 new metallurgical coal mines to produce 38 million tonnes annually for export, primarily to Asia Pacific markets. However, Global Energy Monitor argues these projects face high risks of economic and regulatory stranding. The global steel industry is under pressure to shift from coal-based blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) processes to lower-emissions alternatives like electric arc furnaces (EAF) and direct reduced iron (DRI) to meet net-zero targets. Major importers such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India have committed to carbon reduction, while domestic steel production in the US and Canada is already declining or transitioning away from coal. Furthermore, existing reserves in North America are sufficient to sustain current production levels until at least 2032, making new capacity largely unnecessary.

The report examines the mechanisms used to ensure mining companies provide sufficient funds for environmental rehabilitation if they fail to meet closure obligations. It details various financial instruments, cost estimation methodologies, and policy requirements from leading jurisdictions including Australia, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and the United States.

The Canadian Climate Institute highlights the importance of Bill C-12, which legally enshrines Canada's net-zero goal for 2050 and establishes accountability structures. The author emphasizes that the federal government must now develop a detailed emissions reduction plan for 2030, including a 2026 interim target, focusing on energy efficiency and clean electricity. The document calls for collaboration between federal, provincial, and Indigenous governments, as well as the private sector, to ensure the 2030 targets are met.