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FINDING SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS

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Home / Wedge Advisory Note – Index / Wedge Advisory Note – Section 6

Wedge Advisory Note – Section 6

 

Advice on a Long-term Strategy on Energy and Climate Change

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Section VI: Conclusions and Key Findings

The greatest value of re-examining climate change through a long, rather than a short-term lens is that looking forward to 2050 helps to take a fresh look at the most effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a way that is responsive to Canada’s unique circumstances. Some of the changes in focus and some key messages are: Focus on Canada’s role as an energy producer and exporter, since achieving significant GHG emissions necessitates developing energy resources in a sustainable manner. For the oil and gas industry that means incorporating carbon capture and storage into future development plans. On the power generation side it means a combination of clean coal technology including carbon capture and storage and a national strategy for the deployment of renewable energy. There are significant opportunities to sell this type of technology in international markets. But Canada should be cautious about promoting solutions for other countries that are not yet solutions at home. These technologies should continue to be tested domestically through technology platforms to demonstrate commercial success and export viability. Coupled with international demonstration projects in “receptor” countries, the technology platform concept can be instrumental in the demonstration of commercial potential and provide a focus for investment leading to expanded trade in climate-related technologies and services, for example the International Test Centre for CO2 Capture at the University of Regina and the affiliated Boundary Dam field test facility. Focus on technology deployment. Although this analysis shows that existing and near commercial technology hold the potential to “bridge the gap” if widely deployed, there must be a broad portfolio of initiatives, as there is no one “magic” wedge. In contrast to the debate that has swirled around the achievement of the Kyoto targets, the question is not which technologies to deploy, but how to deploy many or even all of the potential GHG reduction technologies at unprecedented levels of implementation. This is particularly true in the area of energy efficiency. Combine long-term certainty and short-term action. A focus on affecting decisions being made now on capital stock investments must include policy certainty on climate change policy. This analysis suggests that there is a need for urgency, since all three of the strategic priorities are expected to undergo significant expansion and renewal. An estimated $36 billion in investment is planned for the oil sands in the next six years – an investment that will last at least 40 years. During these four decades, 34 per cent of Canada’s housing stock will be new, and within 20 years, the Canadian Electricity Association estimates that at least $150 billion of electricity infrastructure will be constructed. New, long-life capital stock provides once-in-a-generation opportunities for GHG reductions through the adoption of best available technologies and structures. What we plan and begin now will influence our emissions in 2050 and beyond. Important co-benefits. Lowering GHG emissions can lead to many additional environmental and economic co-benefits. Many of the GHG reduction wedges also have significant clean air advantages. This is particularly true of the measures associated with the three strategic priorities, since they encompass some of the more enduring problems areas with regard to criteria air pollutants such as transportation and fossil-fired electricity generation. « Previous — Contents — Next »