7.7 Meetings with Provinces and Territories
Reality Check: The State of Climate Progress in Canada
Provincial/territorial contact letter
Dear…
I am writing to advise you that the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy is conducting analysis on provincial / territorial climate change policies and plans in order to assess their likely contribution to Canada’s 2020 greenhouse gas emission reductions target. We have been asked to do so by the federal Minister of Environment in order to better inform future federal regulatory policy actions on a sector-by-sector basis.
We would like you to participate directly in our consultation process to ensure we hear firsthand from the Government of (xxx) on progress and issues on your climate change plan and mitigation efforts. This will be of great value to us in our analysis and assessment so we can be sure of receiving all relevant information as well as direct feedback to inform our work. In turn, we will be seeking your suggestions and input on how federal/provincial/territorial climate policy efforts can be improved on a collaborative and coordinated basis so Canada achieves its 2020 GHG target in as effective a manner as possible.
Canada’s 2020 GHG target is to reduce emissions by 17% below 2005 levels. As the attached backgrounder shows, forecasted federal and provincial/territorial measures together (based on Environment Canada data) should reduce domestic emissions by about 65 megatonnes in 2020, approximately one-quarter of the way towards the Canadian target (Figure 1). Analysis by the NRTEE shows that currently, this forecast results almost equally from both federal and provincial/territorial measures (Figure 2). As you can also see, forecasted emissions growth under baseline scenarios means additional measures are required to meet our 2020 target, less than ten years away (Figure 3). We are interested in receiving information on emission reductions achieved to date and forecasted from your respective plans and actions and to what extent they can be expected to contribute to Canada’s 2020 target.
Provincial and territorial governments have been leading forces in developing and implementing novel and effective GHG reduction plans and measures. We wish to document this progress and learn from it. At the same time, federal and provincial/territorial efforts have, by choice and circumstance, resulted in a fragmented approach. Consideration of how more coordinated or collaborative efforts, where realistic and sensible, could jointly benefit jurisdictions in their own climate policy efforts and reduce duplication and overlap in policies and actions, could pay off for Canada as a whole in maximizing progress towards our 2020 domestic GHG reduction target.
The NRTEE has extensive experience in assessing and analyzing GHG emissions forecasts and policies. Over the past few years, we have issued detailed reports containing original modelling and policy recommendations on meeting both 2020 and 2050 national GHG reduction targets, harmonizing climate policy with the United States, carbon pricing, low-carbon performance, and best international practices in emissions forecasting. Our research and analysis has been relied upon and cited by numerous policy organizations, business and environmental groups, and government entities. We plan to be open and thorough as we undertake this new policy research project given its importance to you and the country’s climate policy efforts.
As you may be aware, the NRTEE is an independent federal public policy advisory agency. We report to the Government of Canada and Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Environment. Our mission is to find sustainable pathways that advance integrated policy solutions benefitting both the environment and the economy. We do so by engaging governments, stakeholders, and experts in our independent and collaborative research and convening processes. Your direct participation in this important policy initiative will help make our analysis stronger and any advice we offer more relevant and useful to all.
Therefore, I am requesting the opportunity to meet bilaterally with you or designated officials in your government over the course of August, September and October to receive needed information that will assist us in our analysis and assessment. As series of questions to inform our conversation is contained in the attached backgrounder. We then plan to meet a second time bilaterally with officials to share and review our findings together and seek further input from you to ensure we have your full and considered information and comments before our work is completed. It is also our intention to commission independent academic and expert research from a national and intergovernmental perspective to assist us meeting our report goals. A stakeholder forum may take place early next year to offer further commentary and perspectives of value, to which you will be invited.
The attached backgrounder sets out specific questions and information requests needed to complete our task and to serve as a basis for our discussion. I hope you find it helpful.
My Executive Assistant, Ms. Helena Botelho, will be contacting you shortly to schedule a meeting.
I look forward to working with you on this initiative. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at any time.
Sincerely,
David McLaughlin
President and CEO
Names, dates and locations
© 2013