Doing the same things over and again will not lead to different results

Data from Environment Canada suggest that this country will fail in its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, industrial processes, and combustion amounted to 548 million metric tons (MtCO2e), the same order of magnitude as the country's emissions in 2000. Only a concerted effort to change the energy matrix that powers the country's economy could bring any hope that Canada will fulfill its international commitments. We have been here before. Canada helped broker the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. We committed to reducing emissions by six per cent from 1990 levels by 2012. In reality, national emissions increased by more than 30 per cent during that period. Canada officially withdrew from the Protocol in 2011. Real action on climate change requires Canada to move away from its fossil-fuel energy matrix. Failing to do so will continue to erode our country's legitimacy in the global efforts to curtail the effects of climate change. Mauricio Latapí is an assistant professor at Mount Royal University. Photograph courtesy of Mauricio Latapí Our research with corporate and NGO professionals in sustainable development in North America and Europe brings some interesting insights. The current context of climate change requires an effective and efficient policy framework that could address greenhouse gas emissions through holistic and systemic approaches. To do so, federal, regional, and local policies should be designed and implemented using a comprehensive perspective considering their interdependence and interconnection. Such interrelationships are essential in the design of public policies tackling Canadian emissions. Political posturing and jurisdictional tug-of-war only hinder our ability to reach emissions targets. Prof. Paul Varella is a visiting professor with the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. Photograph courtesy of Paul Varella A serious challenge to Canada's commitments is the growing emissions of our oil sector. Canada's oilsands production released more than 85 MtCO2e in 2021, close to a six-fold increase from 1990. However, changing the country's energy matrix demands transformational policies. The design of the Canadian federation adds serious difficulty to developing such a transformational framework. Still, the climate change challenge will not disappear; the required economic realignment is a generational struggle for our country, especially for the oil-rich provinces. Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda underscores the importance of all Canadian federal institutions and agencies incorporating the 2030 Agenda while working towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable Development Goal 7 calls for “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” The Canadian federal government defined that by 2030, 90 per cent of all electricity generated in Canada should come from renewable energy sources and non-greenhouse gas-emitting sources. In 2023, Canada reached 80.73 per cent of electricity generated by emissions-free sources. However, historical data shows that we are moving backwards with this target. In 2015, Canada had already achieved 81.44 per cent, and by 2020, 82.34 per cent. Since then, the percentage of green electricity has steadily worsened. The poor figures result from unco-ordinated efforts between federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Alberta’s 2023 “pause” on all new approvals of renewable energy projects has not helped either. Our research supports the view that policies, institutional mechanisms, and regulatory instruments should work in a co-ordinated way that allows them to translate into transformational policies with a long-term vision, and long-lasting positive effects that would equally sustain regional economic stability and national environmental sustainability. Of course, this is easier said than done. For some ideas of how to move forward, we could look at the European Union and see how successful cross-sector policies with high-level government funding have been. That is impressive progress under a much more complex jurisdictional and political environment than Canada. The EU has significantly transitioned from fossil fuels to renewable energy in less than two decades. In 2011, fossil fuels accounted for 49 per cent of the EU’s electricity production, while renewable energy sources contributed only 18 per cent. By 2021, renewables have made significant progress, making up 32 per cent of the EU’s electricity generation, closely approaching fossil fuels’ share of 36 per cent. The key has been designing a series of legislative packages that motivate economic sectors throughout the region to move toward new energy sources. Europe's Fit for 55 policy package includes ambitious targets, related regulatory instruments, and supporting financial incentives. This combination allows the industry to understand the expected market rules while having the financial support to transition and comply with the new rules. This reduces uncertainty for industry stakeholders and provides ways for them to remain competitive. If we are serious about taking action, Canada needs an intentional and co-ordinated tackle of the climate change crisis. Mauricio Latapí is an assistant professor at Mount Royal University, where he researches the transition to zero-emissions for the maritime sector with a particular focus on new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells. He has been an adviser on sustainable transportation for a variety of governments, international projects, and NGOs. Prof. Paul Varella is formerly the associate dean of the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University, and a visiting professor with the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. He has presented his research at numerous conferences and has published in leading journals in business studies. The Hill Times

Doing the same things over and again will not lead to different results

As the urgency of climate change escalates, the need for a comprehensive and co-ordinated policy framework becomes increasingly crucial.

Sudan’s warring sides and the long-simmering ethnic conflict

Balanced approach needed on right-to-repair bill, protecting IP rights and public safety

Reflections from a new citizen

Public Safety Canada’s dealing with natural and communication infrastructure disasters

As COP29 wraps up, will Canada finally stop funding fossils this fall?

The way forward on the climate crisis

As G7 hosts, Italy and Canada must lead the way on climate action

People in Canada are ahead of industry and utilities on clean electricity

Cleaning and greening Canada’s energy sector

Best pathway for clean electricity is to leave fossil fuels behind

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Advertise

subscribe

get help

Get free news updates

Submit a guest opinion article

Doing the same things over and again will not lead to different results

As the urgency of climate change escalates, the need for a comprehensive and co-ordinated policy framework becomes increasingly crucial.

Get The Policy Briefings Newsletter