Case Studies

The research team has completed the case study selection process for Realizing a carbon neutral: A new governance framework. Each of the case studies have potentially useful policy lessons and practices for Canada. Please find a brief description of each case study below. 

Alberta’s Climate Policy

Lead: Warren Greaves

The Canadian province of Alberta is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, producing 256 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, or 38% of Canada’s national emissions. As a carbon-intensive natural resource extractive economy, Alberta implemented numerous low-carbon policies in 2015, only to see many of those policies repealed in 2019 following a change in government. This case study examines what social, political, and economic factors impacted governance of climate policy in Alberta from 2015 until the change in government in 2019. Analysing 344 press releases and 12 interviews with public servants and other stakeholders, this research uses Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan as a case study to better understand the drivers and pressures facing sub-national governments as they develop and implement climate policy.

Key policy insights

●      Several strong structures of governance were established early in the policy cycle, only to have those structures rolled away later on. Winding down of climate policy governance structures in Alberta coincided with an aggressive campaign to expand fossil fuel infrastructure.

●      The main motivation for climate policy implementation in Alberta from 2015 to 2019 was social licence for continued fossil fuel development.

●      Barriers to policy development and implementation included the speed of policy development; the number and diversity of vested interests of industry and environmental stakeholders; institutional tensions, differing bureaucratic cultures and conflicting mandates and within separate government ministries; and the use of the carbon tax as a wedge political issue.

Click here for the detailed case.

Denmark

Lead, Tamara Krawchenko

Denmark—Europe’s largest oil producer—has committed to a managed decline of the sector. It will stop issuing new licenses for oil and gas exploration and has committed to phasing out the production of fossil fuels by 2050. Denmark has decoupled GHG emissions from economic growth—in a few decades, they have reduced their GHG emissions by half while doubling the size of the economy over the same period. This case is of interest due to the scale of Denmark’s commitment and the importance of the sector; the use of EC instruments including just transition mechanism and regional development policies; and its ability to decouple emissions from growth.

Scotland, UK

Lead, Tamara Krawchenko

Scotland has announced a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the UK's legally binding 2050 target and has announced £500m ‘Just Transition’ energy strategy to support the move to a net-zero economy. Scotland has already experienced significant layoffs in its oil and gas sector in recent years and is committed to accelerating this shift. At the same time, Scotland is managing a shift from European Commission policies and developing new frameworks for regional and rural development. The Scottish Government has adopted a National Just Transition Planning Framework, based on recommendations of its Just Transitions Commission. This case is of interest due to Scotland’s recent experience managing employment declines in the oil and gas sector; its creation of energy transition zones to help the transition from oil and gas jobs to green energy and; the governance mechanisms that it is using to achieve these goals.

New Zealand

Lead, Tamara Krawchenko

New Zealand has committed to a low carbon economy: the Climate Change Response (Zero-Carbon) Amendment Act 2019 is now law and in 2018, it was announced that no further offshore oil and gas exploration permits would be issued. This transition impacts certain regions more than others—e.g., the energy sector in the Taranaki region represents 28% of the regional economic output. New Zealand’s Just Transition Unit housed in the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment leads partnership efforts with governmental and local and regional partners. They have co-developed the Taranaki 2050 Roadmap which sets out a strategy for economic diversification. This case is of interest due to the country’s commitment to transition and the manner in which it is regionally managed through multi-level governance partnerships.

EU Just Transition Mechanism

Lead, Tamara Krawchenko

In January 2020, the European Commission unveiled a Just Transition Mechanism that aims to mobilise EUR 150 billion (100 billion direct EC contribution, remaining matching funds) through three main mechanisms: i) a new Just Transition Fund that provides funding that should be matched by member states through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+); ii) an InvestEU scheme that will provide financing according to just transition objectives in targeted territories; iii) a new loan facility leveraged by the European Investment Bank (EIB) that will primarily entail grants to public sector entities with resources to implement measures to facilitate the transition to climate neutrality. EU countries will produce Territorial Just Transition Plans to 2030 that describe the nature of the social, economic and environmental challenges stemming from fossil fuel-related phase-outs and/or GHG decarbonizing initiatives. These outline the transition process to 2030, including development, reskilling and environmental rehabilitation. The plans detail timelines, operations and governance mechanisms to meet prescribed targets. Thus, this is a quickly changing area of government planning in Europe. As part of these efforts, the EC has launched a Just Transition Platform that will offer technical and advisory support. The JTM is of interest as a method of mobilising and coordinating strategic actions to decarbonise economies through a multi-pronged approach – multiple sectoral targets and policy levers.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Lead, Leslie King

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established an international environmental treaty to combat "dangerous human interference with the climate system". It was signed by 154 states at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992. The treaty called for ongoing scientific research and regular meetings, negotiations, and future policy agreements designed to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, ensure that food production is not threatened and enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. The Kyoto Protocol (1997-2020) was the first implementation of measures under the UNFCCC and has been superseded by the Paris Agreement, which entered into force in 2016. With 197 state parties, members meet annually at the Conference of the Parties (COP). The treaty established different responsibilities for three categories of signatory states. The purpose of this case is to ascertain the extent to which research conclusions and recommended targets and strategies arising from its work have been taken by member states/governments.

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Lead, Leslie King and Tamara Krawchenko

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body established by States to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development. It was established in 2012 by 94 governments. At the request of the IPBES Plenary and with the authorization of the UNEP Governing Council in 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES. The purpose of this case is to explore how collaborative applied scientific research might translate into policy research for action. The goal would be to ascertain the extent to which innovative research findings arising in the scientific network have been diffused into decarbonization strategies of member states/governments.

COVID-19

Lead, Ann Dale

This case study will examine, through detailed interviews with provincial health leaders, the drivers and barriers to the successful management of pandemic responses. Federal/provincial relationships will be explored with respect to public understanding and strategic communications of the key issues. In addition, if possible, the Chairs of the provincial science committees and the federal will be asked for their observations about the success and failures of the Canadian response, as well as federal and provincial Ministers of Health. The goal of this case study is to uncover governance gaps in the COVID-19 response and learn important lessons that apply to a carbon neutral transition.

Carbon Tax

Lead, Ann Dale and Leslie King

The implementation of the carbon tax will be examined, first provincially in Quebec and then British Columbia, followed by the declaration by the Federal Government for its implementation across Canada. This case study could provide meaningful insight into the correlations and commonalities between the implementation of the carbon tax, the COVID-19 response and the Montreal Protocol. In turn, these insights could help guide the implementation of a carbon neutral economy.

The first research product from this case study is online here.

Long-range Air Pollution

Lead, Ann Dale

This case study will consider international agreements and compare Canada’s response to long-range air pollution with other countries by examining (a) acid rain and, (b) the Montreal Protocol. An analysis of international collaboration and multi-level governance embedded within this case study will distill lessons and considerations for thinking about a carbon reduction strategy.  

The first research product from this case study is online here.

Learn more about the Research Purpose and Research Outcomes.