UN climate negotiations in Durban, South Africa

 

This briefing note provides a general overview of the issues on the table at the annual UN climate conference in Durban, South Africa, and assesses the Government of Canada's positions heading into the talks.


Learn more

To reach a Pembina Institute spokesperson regarding the Durban climate change conference, see the media advisory.

Pembina Institute Comments on Canada's Proposed Reduction of Carbon Dioxide from Coal-­fired Generation of Electricity Regulations

 

Coal power is one of the worst contributors to global climate change, air pollution, acid rain precursors and atmospheric mercury emissions. Yet, in Canada, coal accounts for the majority of electricity generation in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia and is significant in both Ontario and New Brunswick.

Several provinces have taken strong leadership roles in tackling coal power, however, and federal limits for industrial GHGs should support and supplement this action, with an emphasis on achieving national and international commitments.

These are the Pembina Institute's comments and recommendations for Canada's proposed Reduction of Carbon Dioxide from Coal-fired Generation of Electricity Regulations.

Learn more: Read the submission

Oilsands and climate change

How Canada's oilsands are standing in the way of effective climate action

As the United States evaluates whether the proposed Keystone XL oilsands pipeline is in its national interest or not, there are important issues it must consider, such as the ability of Canadian provincial and federal climate policies to effectively address rising greenhouse gas emissions.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the pipeline issued by the U.S. Department of State overlooked key information and context on greenhouse gas emission management in Canada. In fact, a close inspection of Canada's climate record illustrates key weaknesses at the federal level as well as in Alberta.

This fact sheet and briefing note aim to supplement the dialogue by providing key information on oilsands emissions growth, future oilsands intensity improvements, and the climate policies in effect in Canada at the provincial and federal levels.

Learn more: Fact sheet | Briefing note

Is natural gas a climate change solution for Canada?

Joint report by the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation

Our energy systems must change if we are to combat climate change. Many people are asking whether natural gas can play a role as a "bridging" fuel that enables near-term reductions in the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.

This report explores the role of Canada's federal and provincial governments in shaping future production and use of natural gas in consideration of both the climate and non-climate environmental impacts, and offers recommendations.

Learn more: Briefing note | Media release | Report | Presentation

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Français: Note d'information | Communiqué de presse | Rapport | Présentation

Reducing pollution, creating jobs

The effects of climate policies on job creation

This report examines the evidence from a wide range of international and Canadian research on "green" jobs and the economic impacts of climate policies.

The report finds that Canada’s governments could create more jobs by implementing strong climate policies than by continuing with business as usual.

Leading thinkers share their views on sustainability

Thought leaders feel that a carbon tax, or a carbon tax with cap-and-trade, is the best approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cap-and-trade alone is not the best solution.

This is just one of the findings of The 2010 Global Thought Leader Survey on Sustainability, a groundbreaking survey of more than 5,000 sustainability thought leaders in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. The survey was commissioned by the Pembina Institute from McAllister Opinion Research.

Thought leaders from government, academia, industry, institutions and non-profit organizations completed the survey, which featured a core set of sustainability-related questions plus four specialized sections: climate change, sustainable energy, green economics and oilsands.

Learn more: Summary Report