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FINDING SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS

OUR PROCESS

Our process helps Canada achieve sustainable development solutions that integrate environmental and economic considerations to ensure the lasting prosperity and well-being of our nation.

RESEARCH

We rigorously research and conduct high quality analysis on issues of sustainable development. Our thinking is original and thought provoking.

CONVENE

We convene opinion leaders and experts from across Canada around our table to share their knowledge and diverse perspectives. We stimulate debate and integrate polarities. We create a context for possibilities to emerge.

ADVISE

We generate ideas and provide realistic solutions to advise governments, Parliament and Canadians. We proceed with resolve and optimism to bring Canada’s economy and environment closer together.

Home / 1.2 Our Contribution

1.2 Our Contribution

Framing the Future: Embracing the Low-Carbon Economy
 

Framing the Future: Embracing the Low-Carbon Economy is the final report in the Climate Prosperity series by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRT). Climate Prosperity is a comprehensive policy initiative spanning three years and six major publications, exploring the economic risks and opportunities of climate change for Canada in the contexts of climate impacts and adaptation, and the global transition to a low-carbon economy. It has sought to broaden the conversation about climate change through the assertion that “this is not just about coping with climate change, but prospering through it.”

In this report, we outline a national framework for low-carbon growth, highlighting the policy directions Canada needs to pursue to harness this opportunity, mitigate risks, and minimize costs, and outlining the main elements of a comprehensive low-carbon growth plan. This report considers the investment required in the transition to a low-carbon economy and outlines the inherent opportunity. The federal government’s moves to begin reducing the carbon intensity of the economy are positive; however, Canada needs to continue to move forward, do more, and act boldly. This is not just about climate policy, though it features strongly. It is also about energy, innovation, and trade — and the linkages and relationships among all. It is about ensuring the flow of investment, strengthening governance, and ensuring Canada has the human capital to pull it off.

THE REPORT OBJECTIVES ARE TWO-FOLD:

1 // to increase awareness on the part of Canadian public-sector and private-sector decision makers of both the economic risks and opportunities associated with the expected reduction in the carbon intensity of the global economy, and

2 // to articulate a coherent and realistic policy framework for ensuring Canadian economic growth and competitiveness under future global carbon constraints so that Canada’s economy and industry succeed in this transition.

Creating a low-carbon growth plan (LCGP) is fundamental to furthering these objectives. This report represents a first step in constructing an LCGP for Canada by putting forward a framework for low-carbon growth, highlighting the policy directions Canada needs to pursue and outlining the main elements of a comprehensive low-carbon growth plan.

The public policy debate in Canada has mostly revolved around issues of climate targets, carbon pricing, and clean energy, rather than considering a comprehensive “low-carbon economy” approach focused on opportunity and the preconditions for low-carbon growth. There is a growing consensus on the need to change the nature of the dialogue on climate policy to facilitate a meaningful path forward. This work is intended to help spur this change in the dialogue.

There is also limited information available concerning the economic risks and opportunities associated with the global low-carbon transition. Our analysis seeks to at least partially fill this gap.