Canadian Climate Institute
| Formation | January 2020 |
|---|---|
| Type | Research institute |
| Purpose | Advisory body on climate change |
| Location | |
| Origins | Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change |
| Website | www.climateinstitute.ca |
The Canadian Climate Institute is Canada's leading expert climate policy organization. It was established in January 2020 and works on climate policy research in three areas: mitigation, adaptation and clean growth. The institute has published extensively on each subject, with a number of substantial research reports focused on quantifying the costs of climate change in Canada, building a net zero emissions economy, and meeting the country's emissions reduction goals. The organization has published independent assessments on the federal government's Emissions Reduction Plan[1] and National Adaptation Strategy,[2] and has developed an early estimate of national emissions,[3] which provides an advanced inventory of Canada's annual greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the federal government's official emission inventory. The institute is a member of the International Climate Councils Network[4] and runs 440 Megatonnes,[5] a data-driven research project dedicated to tracking emissions and climate policy progress across Canada.
History[edit]
The Canadian Climate Institute formally launched in January 2020[6] following the Canadian government's Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and subsequent call to establish an arm's-length organization of Canadian experts providing independent research and policy advice on clean growth and climate change for decision makers across the country.
Initially branded the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices, the institute was established to perform a similar role to independent advisory bodies in other countries, such as the United Kingdom's Climate Change Committee and France's Haut Conseil pour le Climat.
The proposal was supported by 15 organizations—including universities, environmental groups, and research institutes—and selected through a competitive process,[7] resulting in a contribution agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The Canadian Climate Institute became a registered charity in 2021[8] and is currently supported by the Government of Canada and a growing list of philanthropic funders and individual donors.
Research[edit]
The institute produced its first report, Charting Our Course: Bringing clarity to Canada's climate policy choices on the journey to 2050[9], as part of its public launch on January 20, 2020. Since that time, the organization has published a wide range of research reports, scoping papers, case studies and blogs[10] focusing on a variety of climate change and clean growth issues, with significant contributions to each of its areas of focus.
The Costs of Climate Change[11] series includes five reports analyzing how to protect Canadians from the financial and physical costs of climate change. Sink or Swim was the first report to assess Canada's economic prospects in the face of accelerating global market shifts responding to climate change. The report Canada's Net Zero Future[12] introduced the concept of "safe bets and wild card" technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The report included the first comprehensive modelling of Canada's potential pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050.[13]
In February 2022, the institute published its first independent assessment[14] of the federal government's Emissions Reduction Plan.[15] It followed up in December 2023 with an independent assessment[16] of the federal government's official progress report on the Emissions Reduction Plan.[17]
In November 2022, the Canadian Climate Institute launched 440 Megatonnes,[5] a data-driven research project dedicated to tracking emissions and climate policy progress across Canada.[18] 440 Megatonnes is named after the level of greenhouse gas emissions needed to reach Canada's 2030 emissions reduction target. The project has published a number of unique data tracking initiatives, including the Early Estimate of National Emissions,[19] which provides an estimate of total annual greenhouse gas emissions in the country before official data is available through the federal government's National Inventory Report.[20]
The institute's work on climate change accountability helped shape the federal government's Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act,[21] which established a planning, reporting and assessment process the federal government must follow with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also created the Net-Zero Advisory Body,[22] which now works closely with the Canadian Climate Institute to develop independent, evidence-based policy advice for the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Organizational structure[edit]
The Canadian Climate Institute is a fully remote research organization with staff located across the country. Its Board of Directors[23] is composed of individuals from a wide range of industries and disciplines.
The Institute's work is grounded in the best available research and evidence, and is informed by a prominent group of experts at post-secondary institutions from across Canada. Three expert panels[24] in each research area—mitigation, adaptation and clean growth—provide guidance on research scope and methods, technical review for major publications and policy recommendations, and advice to support engagement and communications initiatives. These experts specialize in fields including economics, climate change adaptation and mitigation, Indigenous knowledge, natural and social sciences, public policy, energy systems and engineering.
Members of the Institute's Council of Advisors[25] also provide input, feedback and guidance related to the Institute's work. The advisors are leaders in government, industry and civil society across Canada. Their input is meant to help ensure the Institute's work is relevant, timely and practical.
References[edit]
- ↑ Thurton, David (November 12, 2023). "What would it take for Canada to hit its climate targets?". CBC News.
- ↑ Hoekstra, Gordon (December 12, 2022). "National climate adaptation plan needs tighter goals, more investment: report". Vancouver Sun.
- ↑ "Rising oil and gas emissions counterbalancing progress toward Canada's climate goals in other sectors, new estimate shows". The Globe and Mail. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ↑ "International Climate Councils Network (ICCN) – Global network of national climate advisory bodies". Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "440 Megatonnes: Tracking Canada's path to net zero". 440 Megatonnes: Tracking Canada’s path to net zero. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ↑ Wherry, Aaron (January 21, 2020). "New federally funded climate institute launches after demise of national roundtable". CBC News.
- ↑ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2018-10-30). "Government of Canada to partner with independent climate experts to support ambitious action on clean growth and climate change". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ↑ Canada Revenue Agency (January 24, 2024). "Basic search results". Government of Canada - Canada Revenue Agency. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ↑ "Charting Our Course".
- ↑ "Publications". Canadian Climate Institute. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ↑ "The Costs of Climate Change".
- ↑ "Canada's Net Zero Future".
- ↑ Government of Canada (October 27, 2023). "Net-zero emissions by 2050". Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ↑ "2030 Emissions Reduction Plan".
- ↑ "2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy". 29 March 2022.
- ↑ "Independent assessment shows Canada on track to achieve 85-90 per cent of its 2030 emissions target".
- ↑ "2023 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan". 7 December 2023.
- ↑ Kanduth, Anna; Sawyer, Dave (November 9, 2023). "Meet 440 Megatonnes". Canadian Climate Institute. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ↑ "Early Estimate of National Emissions".
- ↑ "Greenhouse gas emissions — National Inventory Report (NIR)". 4 July 2023.
- ↑ "Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act". 31 March 2023.
- ↑ "Net-Zero Advisory Body". 25 February 2021.
- ↑ "Board of Directors".
- ↑ "Expert Panels".
- ↑ "Council of Advisors".
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