OTTAWA, April 13, 2011 - The Canadian Institute
for Environmental Law and Policy (CIELAP) has issued a new
report outlining perspectives of thought leaders across
Canada on what a Green Economy could mean for Canada in the lead-up
to the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable
Development.
Recommendations are provided in
preparing for the Summit, including a call for Federal leadership
in adopting principles and practices to embrace a Green
Economy.
CIELAP's study, A Green Economy for Canada:
Consulting with Canadians,
authored by
Carolyn Webb
and Thomas C.
Esakin, found that impressive
advances are being made towards a Green Economy across the country
through the use of a mix of financial mechanisms, regulation,
procurement, investments in R&D and infrastructure, and
education and skills training.
The report points to the following recommendations and a strong
call to action:
1. The Government of Canada can play a strong role by utilizing the
levers it has available to realize the benefits of a Green Economy
path. Such a move could provide additional benefits such as
supporting the federal economic action plan, helping mature the
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, providing guidance to the
Finance Minister's framing of the annual budget announcements, and
in establishing Canada as a leader on the international
stage.
2. Advance a strong national dialogue and development of a shared
vision in advance of Rio+20. The Federal government and provinces
can help play a coordinating role and cities can be brought to the
table as important players.
3. Establish clear price signals and invest in technology, R&D
and green business. Technology should be promoted as an important
part of a policy mix, not as a solution in and of
itself.
4. Increase Federal leadership on the international stage. The
report calls out areas that Canada can contribute to on the world
stage including technology transfer, programs that place value on
ecosystem goods and services, and the rigorous use of Strategic
Environmental Assessment in
decision-making.
Download A Green Economy for Canada:
Consulting with
Canadians