Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change: expert engagement, discussion paper

Background and proposed approach

The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) included a commitment to engage with external experts to: provide informed advice to First Ministers and decision makers; assess the effectiveness of measures, including through the use of modelling; and, identify best practices. In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada announced $20 million over five years, starting in 2018–2019, to fulfill this commitment.

Environment and Climate Change Canada recognizes the extensive range of expertise that exists within Canada and the importance of considering the advice of experts as we continue to work collaboratively with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and other partners to advance shared clean growth and climate change objectives consistent with the Vancouver Declaration and Canada’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

We have examined different options for engaging with experts, and are now considering a competitive process, which could be launched as early as Fall 2018, to identify an expert organization that would support and inform action to achieve progress on clean growth and climate change in all sectors of Canadian society and in all regions of Canada, by:

• providing practical, effective, forward-looking and forthright advice to inform the evolution of policies that promote progress on clean growth and climate change
• developing decision-support tools, recommendations and guidance on the use of assessment methodologies
• undertaking analysis and research to address critical policy questions related to clean growth and climate change in Canada
• convening and facilitating participation from diverse interests and perspectives to build connections, foster collaboration and identify solutions; and
•  compiling, integrating and communicating available information and data on clean growth and climate change, translating it into useable and comprehensive advice for governments and Canadians

Activities

The organization, supported by a professional staff, would focus on (1) presenting policy-relevant and timely advice on best practices (compiling, analyzing, translating and synthesizing information from academic literature, reports, case studies, and input from experts); and (2) developing and providing decision-support tools and methodology guidance to increase climate change literacy and support informed action. Products would include annual or biennial reports on clean growth and climate change that provide a cross-cutting big picture look to provide advice for future actions; research reports on topics identified with partners (see Annex for examples of possible topics); decision-support tools (e.g., models to better assess and communicate uncertainties, methodology guidance for governments, businesses, organizations and individuals); and, accessible communications materials.

Research would be expected to be conducted and shared in partnership with communities and stakeholders most affected to ensure that their voices, insights and knowledge are respected and incorporated.

Principles

The expert organization would be expected to adhere to broad principles that are consistent with the approach and commitments made under the PCF:

•  Science and evidence-based
• Pan-Canadian
• Transparent
• Credible
• Independent
• Policy-relevant
• Effective
• Timely; and
• Partnerships-based

Key features

The organization would be expected to be forward-looking and expert-based, providing advice across the four pillars of the PCF (adaptation; mitigation; carbon pricing; clean technology, innovation and jobs) particularly in areas where policy gaps exist.

A key role for the organization would be to identify best practices and key policies that can contribute to Canada taking on more ambitious commitments towards decarbonisation by mid-century, consistent with the Paris Agreement.

The organization would leverage existing expertise and organizational capacity across a number of groups, and with the support of government, business, academia and civil society.

It would foster participation from a wide and comprehensive range of expertise and backgrounds, including Indigenous traditional knowledge, natural and social sciences, business and public policy.

The organization must have a robust governance structure consistent with best practices for non-profit entities in this space, and with a role for interested provinces, territories and representatives of Indigenous Peoples and governments.

The organization would be independent and authoritative, to be widely viewed across Canada as a trusted source of reliable and valued information.

The organization would be supported by a professional, dedicated secretariat.

The organization would contribute to improving clean growth and climate change literacy in Canada and support informed decision-making by Canadians, and to this end would consider issues such as educational backgrounds, language barriers and technology barriers in developing communications materials.

The organization would embed within its research activities gender and diversity analysis, to appropriately consider those most impacted by climate change and those most impacted by the actions taken to address climate change.

The organization would support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, with respectful and meaningful consideration of Indigenous issues and inclusion of Indigenous peoples in the organization.

The organization would reflect the diversity that exists within Canada.

The organization would respect and support the official languages in Canada, providing communications materials in both official languages.

Next steps

We welcome your input on this important initiative and invite you to contact us at ec.expertscpc-pcfexperts.ec@canada.ca to provide a written submission or to arrange a follow-up discussion.

Annex: scope of research activities

Research reports that take a deeper dive on specific issues could address the following types of issues:

• Options for long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions targets
• Increasing the supply of zero emission vehicles
• Sector analysis of clean growth and climate change implications for key sectors (e.g., buildings, transportation, infrastructure)
• The development and deployment of clean technologies across the economy
• The barriers and opportunities in the financial sector to supporting clean growth
• Opportunities to increase sustainable financing in Canada
• Challenges for small businesses to adapt to climate change and capitalize on clean growth opportunities
• Follow-up work from the Expert Panel on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Results, further developing the indicators identified by the Panel and determining tangible next steps for implementation of an adaptation monitoring program
• Best practices for the use of GHG assessment tools and associated methodologies for large scale initiatives, such as those funded under the Low Carbon Economy Fund and Green Infrastructure fund
• The costs of addressing climate related natural disasters in Canada including flooding, fires, and storms, as well as the effectiveness and costs of measures such as flood infrastructure and fire barriers; and
• The disproportionate effects of climate change felt by Indigenous and northern populations, mitigation and adaptation strategies in these areas, and clean economic development opportunities