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Title: Boreal Canada: State of the Ecosystem, State of Industry, Emerging Issues, and Projections - Report to the NRTEE
Description: At the global level, the boreal region represents Earth’s most extensive terrestrial biome. It is a key part of the national identity of Canadians, and is the only biome that is almost trans-Canadian, linking Canada as a nation. The boreal region is vitally important to Canadians — economically, environmentally, and culturally. This paper on Boreal Canada describes the state of the boreal ecosystem, including key aspects of its ecology, key threats, and its state of health. It also discusses emerging issues, the relative importance of industry, and future projections. Peter Lee is a researcher with the Global Forest Watch.
Identifier: RPT_2007_GFWC_Boreal Canada-State-of-the-Ecosystem-State-of-Industry-Emerging-Issues-and-Projections-Report-to-the-NRTEE.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:413921

Title: National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy: 2012-2013 Report on Plans Priorities
Description: Report outlining the role and purpose of the NRTEE, organizational priorities, risk analysis and analysis of the organizations activities and expenditures.
Identifier: RPT_2013_Can-Min-Env_NRTEE-2012-2013-Report-on-Plans-and-Priorities.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:413922

Title: Economic Modelling of Provincial/Territorial Climate Change Policies: Summary of Phase 2 Results
Description: The National Roundtable of the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) has been asked by the Minister of the Environment to conduct an independent analysis of provincial and territorial climate change plans and policies to assess their likely contribution to achieving the Government of Canada’s 2020 emissions target of 17% percent below 2005 levels. Navius Research Inc. was contracted to conduct an analysis of existing and proposed provincial and territorial policies to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 2020. This document provides a summary of results from Task 1 (prioritizing provincial and territorial climate policies) and Task 2 (quantifying abatement from these policies) of this analysis.
Identifier: RPT_2012_Nav-Res_Economic-Modelling-of-Provincial-Territorial-Climate-Change-Policies.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:413913

Title: RPT_2001_AC_R_Directions-for-Indicators-of-Urban-Sustainability-Preliminary-Review-of-Program-Planning-Options-Final Report
Identifier (PID): yul:413895

Title: The Gender Impact of Green Job Creation
Description: This research seeks to make a start in filling the void in gender-based analysis. I look at the more general analyses around green job creation and then present evidence that I have gathered around green job creation’s gender impact. The evidence comes mostly from New Brunswick but one of the case studies comes from Nova Scotia. The research begins by looking at various studies of green job creation. Unfortunately, none of them has looked at the issue of gender impact. Some do, however, list the types of jobs that would be created from green initiatives. Taking these lists and finding the gender breakdown of those jobs in New Brunswick with data from the 2006 Census, I am able me to get an indication of the gender impact of green job creation.
Identifier: WP_2013_McFarland_The-Gender-Impact-of-Green-Job-Creation.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:413863

Title: Go Green: Ontario's action plan on climate change
Description: An overview document that addresses the need to create jobs via investment in green industries. Announces the Next Generation Job Fund of $650million, discusses transportation, agriculture, forestry, construction, energy production.
Identifier: RPT_2007_ON-MEI_Go-Green-Ontario's-action-plan-on-climate-change.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410608

Title: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: A Canadian Perspective
Description: Overview of Canadian economic sectors, how climate change will affect each, and the state of research and adaptation to date as of 2004.
Identifier: RPT_2004_NRC_Climate-Change-Impacts-and-Adaptation-A-Canadian-Perspective.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410602

Title: Planning for a sustainable future: a federal sustainable development strategy for Canada: Consultation paper
Description: Outlines the government's proposed strategy to integrate sustainable development into public policy across departments. This is a consultation paper; responses are solicited from the public until July 12, 2010. Outlines broad goals and future steps, organized into four priorities: Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality; Maintaining Water Quality and Availability;Protecting Nature; and, Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.
Identifier: RPT_2010_Env-Can_Planning-for-a-sustainable-future-a-federal-sustainable-development-strategy-for-Canada.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410605

Title: Canada in a Changing Climate: Sector Perspectives on Impacts and Adaptation
Description: This report, an update to a 2008 edition, synthesized over 1500 publications since 2007, and includes chapters on natural resources, food production, industry, biodiversity and protected areas, human health, and water and transportation infrastructure. Over 90 authors and 115 expert reviewers contributed to the document.
Identifier: RPT_2014_NRC_Canada-in-a-Changing-Climate.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410601

Title: Canada's Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Understanding the Trends, 1990 - 2006
Description: This report is a companion document to Canada's National Inventory Report: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada, 1990-2006 (NIR) and provides additional analysis on the underlying trends that have been shaping Canada's total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions since 1990. While the NIR provides a comprehensive inventory of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions consistent with International Panel on Climate Change methodologies, this report attempts to develop discussion points that provide additional insight into factors that may impact future emission levels in Canada,by providing a review of the primary economic, technological and other societal drivers that have contributed to the country's emissions trends for the period between 1990 and 2006. It also compares emissions from 1990 to 2006 with the 1980-1990 period. Note Tables 1 and 3, related to construction. Also available in French and listed in this database as: Emissions de gaz À effect de serre au Canada: comprendre les tendances, 1990-2006
Identifier: RPT_2008_Env-Can_Canada's-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-Understanding-the-Trends-1990-2006.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410600

Title: Joint Statement on Climate Change
Description: A joint communique issued at the Conference of the Parties in Lima Peru, December 2014, which concludes: "California,Ontario,Québec and British Columbia all have 2020 targets to reduce GHG emissions and have taken strong actions to fight climate change, but we need to do more and we need to act now.Global leaders are collaborating and preparing for an international agreement on climate change at the 2015 Conference of the Parties in Paris, France. To help catalyze and direct our efforts, we will collaborate on mid-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions to maintain momentum toward 2050 targets. This commitment reflects a common understanding of the climate challenge ahead and a collective will to take action and establish these targets prior to the 2015 Conference of the Parties. "
Identifier: RPT_2014_GOV_Joint-Statement-on-Climate-Change.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410598

Title: Canada's Emission Trends 2013
Description: In releasing the 2013 Emissions Trends report in October, the Canadian government stated: “as a result of the combined efforts of federal, provincial and territorial governments, consumers and businesses, GHG emissions in 2020 will be 734 megatonnes (Mt). This is 128 Mt lower than where emissions would be in 2020 if no action were taken to reduce GHGs since 2005.” (The report did not state that it is also 122 Mt above Canada’s target level of 612 Mt.) The government will maintain its current course of regulating emissions on a sector-by-sector basis. Previous reports of 2011 and 2012 are also available online, as well as French versions.
Identifier: RPT_2013_Env-Can_Canada's-Emission-Trends-2013.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410599

Title: A Climate change plan for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act
Description: Outlines Canada's Kyoto targets and obligations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, current emissions, and the actions taken to reduce emissions, with special focus on energy and transportation sectors. This document does not include a comprehensive inventory of climate change actions taken by the Government of Canada- only federal actions that will result in emission reductions during the Kyoto Protocol compliance period (2008-2012) are included. Also available in French.
Identifier: RPT_2011_Env-Can_A-Climate-change-plan-for-the-purposes-of-the-KPIA.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410595

Title: Canada's Emission Trends 2012
Description: Also available in French as Tendances en matière d'émissions au Canada 2012 at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/Publications/253AE6E6-5E73-4AFC-81B7-9CF440D5D2C5%5C793-Canada%27s-Emissions-Trends-2012_f_01.pdf. P.J. Partington of the Pembina Institute states: "The progress reflected in this year's emissions trends report is largely the result of updated baselines and accounting rules for greenhouse gas pollution, as well as the considerable action some provinces are taking to reduce their emissions." See http://www.pembina.org/media-release/2364.
Identifier: RPT_2012_Env-Can_Canada's-Emission-Trends-2012.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410594

Title: Turning the corner: Regulatory Framework for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Description: The April 2007 Regulatory Framework for Air Emissions laid out the broad design of the regulations for industrial emissions of both greenhouse gases and air pollutants. This document sets out the final regulatory framework for industrial greenhouse gas emissions. It includes both an elaboration and a strengthening of the April 2007 regulatory framework.
Identifier: RPT_2008_Env-Can_Turning-the-Corner-Regulatory-Framework-for-Industrial-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410593

Title: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in Ontario: A Discussion Paper
Description: The Ontario Ministry of the Environment released Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in Ontario: A Discussion Paper at the end of January, as the basis for a public comment period open till April 21, 2013. The discussion paper states that it is not considering a carbon tax, but rather a cap-and-trade system.
Identifier: RPT_2013_ON-MEI_Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-Reductions-in-Ontario-A-Discussion-Paper.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:410591

Title: A Profile of the Greenhouse Industry in British Columbia and Clues to Climate Change
Description: This paper profiles the greenhouse industry in British Columbia, and seeks out the issue of climate change in the same industry. It concludes that the industry is expanding and is an important economic contributor to the economy of the province. It is also an industry that employs a large number of foreign migrant workers, who like most other workers in the industry, are on temporary employment basis. This has consequences for workers (see Aguiar et al for a discussion 2011). Finally, on the basis of scant literature that speaks to climate change issues, I argue that climate change has yet to be forcibly articulated by the stakeholders in the industry and thus a significant gap exists in the literature. I add that only through interviews and case study analysis with stakeholders in the industry, will we begin to pull out and understand the issues that implicate climate change in the greenhouse industry.
Identifier: WP_2011-10_Aguiar_Profile-of-Greenhouse-Industry-BC.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389042

Title: Industrial Strategies for Green Jobs: Opportunitites and Obstacles in the Ontario Case
Description: Doing something about the environmental crisis without harming the economy and jobs has been a dilemma for governments for many years. This paper explores the potential and opportunities conferred by green jobs economic strategies using the example of Ontario's Green Energy policy. This case also highlights the obstacles to achieving that positive sum result posed by international economic agreements. Trade agreements like NAFTA and the WTO, however, may have an impact on state capacity to enact and implement industrial policies, since green economic strategies can be seen as a particular variant of an industrial strategy. The domestic content provisions in Ontario's Green Energy Act, and alleged subsidization through the FIT have already triggered trade complaints and an action by Japan. Government procurement is a central plank in the defence of Ontario's policy, though one that is threatened by possibly enhanced procurement openness that Canada is negotiating, with provinces at the table, in new economic agreements such as CETA. Outcomes are uncertain but as this case study shows trade and investment agreements do pose a challenge to green industrial policies especially if government procurement protections are sacrificed or substantially weakened.
Identifier: WP_2011-03_McBride_Industrial-Strategies-for-Green-Jobs.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389041

Title: Greening Hotels and Fair Labour Practices
Description: In recent years, a number of labour union strategic initiatives have been developed which seek to leverage consumer preference against employers in the accommodation services sector. These programs largely focus on rating and certifying hotels based upon environmentally and socially responsible behaviour and labour friendly practices. In part, the campaigns are a response to the perceived 'green-washing' of hotels through voluntary, self-reporting rating systems. This paper examines three union campaigns that recommend hotels according to social and environmental criteria: The Fair Hotels campaign (Ireland); the First Star program (Australia); and INMEX (United States and Canada). We find that these emerging campaigns differ in orientation, but all face challenges in their ability to meet their strategic goals. Specifically we find limitations related to the geographic scale of the campaigns and their inability to advocate for any significant shift toward a more socially and environmentally sustainable accommodation services sector.
Identifier: WP_2011-05_Tufts_Greening-Hotels-and-Fair-Labour-Practices.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389040

Title: Does Gender Matter in the Political Economy of Work and Climate Justice?
Description: In recent years, as a result of women’s concerted efforts, more attention has been paid togendered distinctions related to climate change. Most of this literature focuses on the implications for women in developing nations. These studies have been most fruitful in understanding the consequences for labour and the impact of climate change policies by gender. In contrast, the gendered discussion that is focused on developed countries tends to be more concentrated on the distinctions in attitudes toward climate change and the implications this has for public policy initiatives. This is an important step toward understanding the gendered distinctions at the household level, although still relatively unexplored are the implications of paid labour by gender. This paper will focus on gendered distinctions relating to climate change for both paid and unpaid labour issues in developed nations. It will build on the methods used to analyze labour/climate/gender issues in developing nations to focus on three main aspects. These are 1) the impact of women’s work on climate change; 2) the impact of climate change on women’s work; and 3) how different types of strategies to mitigate climate change have gendered implications.
Identifier: WP_2011-06_Griffen_Does-Gender-Matter-in-the-Political-Economy-of-Work-and-Climate-Justice?.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389039

Title: Climate Change and Work
Description: As part a comprehensive review of climate change literature, this paper examines the relationship between climate change and jobs. For 25 years, scientists have warned us of climate change and our need to create a sustainable society to mitigate and adapt to it. Though this process will be difficult, the Global Climate Network, an alliance of independent think tanks, estimates that the development and wide use of low-carbon technology will create millions of jobs globally. In Canada, the lack of political leadership on climate change has increased carbon emissions, stimulated an industry of climate denial, missed out on green jobs and clean energy investments. A proactive approach to climate change leads to job creation. Pending an effective political response, it is urgent and necessary to create a movement to “repair the planet” by involving trade unionists, environmental activists, academics, educators and journalists. To the extent that such action “from the bottom up” is effective, it will combat climate change and result in new jobs in a new, sustainable economy.
Identifier: WP_2011-07_Sefton-MacDowell_Climate-Change-and-Work.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389038

Title: Climate Change and Labour Union Strategy in the Accomodation Sector: Opportunitites and Contradictions
Description: Climate change is affecting tourism-related industries such as accommodation and hospitality (e.g., changes in tourist flows, the ‘greening’ of hotels). The role organized labour in such industries will play in climate change mitigation and adaptation is less studied. This paper explores how such responses may be integrated into recent strategic initiatives building labour union capacities in the accommodation sector. The case of UNITEHERE, a union representing over 100,000 hotel workers in the United States and Canada, is explored. Specific attention is given to the integration of climate change into current activities such as: the union’s fight against ‘green-washing’; the scaling up of collective bargaining; the use of consumer preference as leverage against hotel companies; the implementation of a ‘high road vision’ for the sector; and campaigns for accessible public transit and community economic development. The paper concludes that climate change will be incorporated into existing union strategies, but there is limited capacity for radical transformation of the sector practices.
Identifier: WP_2011-02_Tufts_Climate-Change-and-Labour-Strategy.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389037

Title: Climate Change, Construction and Labour in Europe: A Study of the Contribution of Building Workers and their Unions to 'Greening' the Built Environment in Germany, the United Kingdom and Denmark
Description: This study reviews the overall climate policy and legislative framework of the European Union (EU) and then examines what governments in Germany, the UK and Denmark have done to reduce energy consumption, cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and limit their reliance on fossil fuels. It then looks at the climate policies being implemented in the construction industry and the role the trade unions, in these countries, have played in efforts to address the challenge of climate change. Finally, it examines some of the specific initiatives the building trades unions have taken to further the transition to a ‘greener’ economy. The study concludes that the ability of unions to play a constructive environmental role is partly dependent on the broader policy framework established by governments and partly dependent on their influence within their own industry. Where union density is high and where unions are significant players in training and workforce development, they have had considerable success in shaping the environmental policies of the construction industry. Conversely where union representation is weak, where unions are marginal players in the overall labour relations system, they have not been able to exercise significant influence over how their industries have dealt with global warming. While the role of labour is only one factor in determining the effectiveness of climate policies in the construction sector, the presence - or absence - of union involvement does make a difference in the capacity of the three countries to implement the goal of promoting a ‘greener’ economy and society
Identifier: WP_2011-04_Calvert_Climate-Change-Construction-and-Labour-in-Europe.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389035

Title: The Impact of Bioenergy and Biofuel Policies on Employment in Canada
Description: Environmental policy, particularly written to deal with climate change and the related issue of renewable or clean energy production, has the potential to change the capacity of businesses, states, and other organizations to provide employment opportunities. This paper reviews the development of environmental policy in Canada at the federal level as well as in two provinces (Ontario and British Columbia). Key policies include the Canadian renewable fuel standard (included in Bill C-30, the Clean Air Act of 2007) as well as Ontario’s Green Energy Act (Ontario Bill 150) and British Columbia’s Bioenergy Strategy. Our methodology describes employment associated with the bioenergy and biofuel sectors as concentric circles ranging from direct through indirect and temporary jobs, and describes forthcoming survey analyses that aim to quantify the impact that these policies have had on employment opportunities. We situate our findings within the context of an ambiguous climate or energy strategy at the national level, and discuss what may be at stake when labour issues are excluded from climate policy debates. The paper looks critically upon the strategic “greening”of economies, jobs and governance in Canada, while providing recommendations for future iterations of policy at the federal and provincial levels.
Identifier: WP_2011-09_Earley_The-Impact-of-Bioenergy-and-Biofuel-Policies-on-Employment-in-Canada.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389036

Title: Some Responses to the Challenge of Climate Change by North American Labour
Description: Climate change represents a challenge of epic proportions not only to all of society but also to labour movements around the world to do their part. This paper discusses responses to the challenge by my provincial union, my national union, other public sector unions and the national federation of unions in Canada as well as some responses by the labour movement in the United States and that of the International Trade Union Confederation at the international level.
Identifier: WP_2011-01_Mann_Some-Responses-to-the-Challenge-of-Climate-Change.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389034

Title: Circular Economies in Canada's Forest Sector
Description: The concept of circular economies suggests that optimal flow of goods and services can be represented as a loop. This can be manifest in a process when products are recovered after a period of use and transformed into new goods, and when the last product may be used as the basis for a new iteration of products. The concept is also present in regional geographies, where resources may flow from point to point for processing and use, and where the final leg of the process brings materials back to the starting point. A popular example of the circular economy is the carbon cycle, which sees old products serve as the basis for new growth and eventually new commercial activity. The forest economy has the potential to take the circular approach. This paper describes the current state of Canada's forest sector and identifies barriers to achieving a true circular approach. For example, Ontario is a region where massive disruptions to the existing economy have left the industry in crisis. Opportunities for reinventing the forest sector are discussed, as are the potential impacts on employment and economic returns from this approach.
Identifier: WP_2011-08_Mabee_Circular-Economies-in-Canada's-Forest-Sector.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389033

Title: Climate Change and Canadian Unions: The Dilemma for Labour
Description: In 2010, a group of Canadian trade unions, labour academics and environmental groups began a five year funded community-university research project, Work in a Warming World (W3), to develop effective ways for labour to take leadership in the struggle to slow global warming. We stated the problem this way: How can labour broaden and deepen its capacity to protect work and workers from the unique threats posed by climate change, all the while contributing to the struggle to slow global warming within the context of increasingly pessimistic climate science, global economic crisis, a hostile national government and strategic paralysis in the national and international political arena? In this 2013 paper, the authors explore the challenges and dilemmas for labour leadership in relation to environmental responsibility in the current political climate in Canada, drawing on W3 research and the unexpected uses that research can be put to, using the case of the Canadian Union of Postal workers in catalyzing and internationalising activist engagement for climate bargaining.
Identifier: WP_2013-02_Lispig-Mummé_Climate-Change-and-Canadian-Unions.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389032

Title: Labour's Response to Environmental Issues: A New Brunswick Case Study
Description: Environmental policy, particularly written to deal with climate change and the related issue of renewable or clean energy production, has the potential to change the capacity of businesses, states, and other organizations to provide employment opportunities. This paper reviews the development of environmental policy in Canada at the federal level as well as in two provinces (Ontario and British Columbia). Key policies include the Canadian renewable fuel standard (included in Bill C-30, the Clean Air Act of 2007) as well as Ontario’s Green Energy Act (Ontario Bill 150) and British Columbia’s Bioenergy Strategy. Our methodology describes employment associated with the bioenergy and biofuel sectors as concentric circles ranging from direct through indirect and temporary jobs, and describes forthcoming survey analyses that aim to quantify the impact that these policies have had on employment opportunities. We situate our findings within the context of an ambiguous climate or energy strategy at the national level, and discuss what may be at stake when labour issues are excluded from climate policy debates. The paper looks critically upon the strategic “greening”of economies, jobs and governance in Canada, while providing recommendations for future iterations of policy at the federal and provincial levels.
Identifier: WP_2012-01_McFarland_Labour's-Response-to-Environmental-Issues.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389031

Title: Climate Change, Work and Employment in the Agri-Food Sector: Is the Ontario Food System Sustainable?
Description: The alternative food movement is growing and consists of local groups that advocate for a sustainable, secure, affordable and safe food system that is distributed primarily through local or regional community markets. It has grown in response to consumer demand as more people search for high quality, often organic, food products. As the amount of this food increases, the jobs and labour processes are also changing. This paper seeks to analyse the current food system in Ontario – both the industrial system and the growing alternative, often organic, local food system. We also will examine the interrelationship between the industrial and alternative food systems, because organics are influencing management decisions at grocery stores, and government policy is evolving. Our research is taking account of the growing theoretical literature that covers food and climate change and we link this material to issues of work and employment. We will focus on jobs and employment in the food system as well as analyse how best to make the food system in this province sustainable in the face of climate change. With increasing extreme weather events, the need to adapt the food system to climate change, the need for food security and the necessity of having a sustainable food system in Ontario all become more urgent concerns. We also suggest ways of mitigation and adaptation to ensure future food security. Some of this information is known, while some requires more research which we are undertaking, so this is very much a working paper.
Identifier: WP_2013-01_Kainer_Climate-Change-Work-and-Employment-in-the-Agri-Food-Sector.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389030

Title: What Do We Know? Reviewing the State of Knowledge on Climate, Work and Employment in Canada
Description: This paper presents the results of the first national ‘state of expert knowledge’ study of the impact of climate change on work and employment in Canada. Climate change is defined as recent changes in climate attributable to human activity. The What do we know? project, led by Lipsig-Mummé with Canadian academics, trade unionists and private sector labour market analysts, explores the state of knowledge about the complex interaction between climate change, response to climate change, and work and employment in Canada, in six economic sectors between 1995 and 2010. The sectors are: construction, energy, forestry, transportation equipment, postal services, and tourism. The paper begins by setting out the three international debates which shape the issue and its research. Second, it discusses its unusual research methodology. Third, the paper summarizes the research findings. Fourth, it identifies holes, silences, and next research questions on the climate/work relationship.
Identifier: WP_2010-01_Lipsig-Mummé_What-Do-We-Know?.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:389029