Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change: strategic environmental assessment

An overview of the expected impacts of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change is Canada’s plan to reduce emissions across all sectors of the economy, stimulate clean economic growth and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. It is the first climate change plan in Canada’s history to include collective and individual commitments by federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and to have been developed through engagement with national representatives of First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation, the general public, NGOs and businesses.

The Pan-Canadian Framework includes more than 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, foster clean technology solutions and create good jobs that contribute to a strong economy. This includes putting a price on carbon. These actions will help Canada meet or exceed its 2030 climate change target of a 30% reduction below 2005 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission levels. To help achieve the goals and actions laid out in the Pan-Canadian Framework, programs and policies are being monitored, results are being measured and performance are reported on publicly in a way that is measurable, transparent and accountable.

Direct outcomes of the Pan-Canadian Framework may include:

• significant reductions in GHG emissions relative to Canada's 2030 target, through coordinated federal, provincial, and territorial action on climate change mitigation (supporting Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013 to 2016 Goal 1, Target 1.1: Climate Mitigation)
• reductions in GHG emissions through federal policies, programs, and/or incentives in key economic sectors, including electricity, buildings, transport, industry, and forestry, agriculture and waste (FSDS Goal 1, Target 1.1: Climate Mitigation)
• additional reductions in GHG emissions from government operations (FSDS Goal 1, Target 1.1: Climate Mitigation; FSDS Goal 6, Target 6.1: GHG Emissions Reduction)
• established price on carbon (FSDS Goal 1, Target 1.1: Climate Mitigation)
• direct benefits for building resilience of individuals, communities, regions and economic sectors to the impacts of climate change (FSDS Goal 1, Target 1.2: Climate Change Adaptation)
• direct benefits for reinforcing partnerships for national disaster mitigation (FSDS Goal 4, Target 4.7: Environmental Disasters, Incidents and Emergencies)
• direct benefits to accelerate clean growth through building early-stage innovation, accelerating commercialization and growth, fostering adoption, and strengthening collaboration and metrics for success

Indirect environmental outcomes of the Framework may include:

• reduced vulnerability of communities and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, by reducing Canada's contribution to global climate change, and consequently reducing the severity of climate change impacts felt within Canada (FSDS Goal 1, Target 1.2: Climate Adaptation; FSDS Theme 3, Protecting Nature and Canadians)
• reduced outdoor air pollutants as a co-benefit of significant reductions in GHG emissions (FSDS Goal 2, Target 2.1: Outdoor Air Pollutants)
• increased work to implement Canada's commitments in international climate change negotiations on mitigation (FSDS Goal 1, Target 1.1: Climate Mitigation)

Taking action to address climate change and to embrace the associated global shift to a low-carbon economy also offers important environmental benefits and economic opportunities:

• expanding clean technology markets could help spur innovation, economic development, employment, and support international market access for Canadian companies and resources
• improving energy efficiency and adopting new industrial processes can also lead to important cost savings and productivity gains
• improving resilience of communities and industry to prepare for a changing climate through key climate-related infrastructure funding decisions, which will allow Canada to better withstand direct and indirect economic impacts such as lost productivity

Effective collaboration between federal, provincial and territorial governments is key to the success of the Pan-Canadian Framework. In addition to reducing emissions and building the resilience of Canadians to the impacts of climate change, the Pan-Canadian Framework is also intended to enhance the sustainability of Canada's economy by supporting the transition to a clean, low-carbon economy.

The Pan-Canadian Framework contributes to the following 2016 to 2019 FSDS goals:

• Effective action on climate change
• Greening government
• Clean growth
• Modern and resilient infrastructure
• Clean energy
• Safe and healthy communities