Green Economy Sarah Elliott, René Ménard, Tana Jukes

Outline The “Green Economy” – what does it mean? Theory & Context Green Economy in Canada Case Study: Green Economy in Vancouver

Introduction: The “Green Economy” Idea UNEP Green Economy Initiative: – the vital links between economy, society, and environment are taken into account – transformation of production and consumption processes and patterns – reduction per unit in waste, pollution, and the use of resources, materials, and energy, waste, and pollution emission – revitalize and diversify economies, create decent employment opportunities, promote sustainable trade, reduce poverty, and improve equity and income distribution.”.....AMBIGUITY..... Environmental economy – Ecological economy – Green economy Gregor Robertson

Key Thinkers Key thinkers: – James Robertson : the holistic perspective – “the Sane Alternative” – E. F. Schumacher : the appropriate scale – “Small is Beautiful” – Kenneth Boulding : the limits to growth – “Spaceship Earth” – Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen : the Law of Entropy – Richard Douthwaite : Contraction & Convergence

Tension Points Why do we care? – Ecological Footprints: urban economics as human ecology (Rees, 1992) – “Economic Reasons for Conserving Wild Nature”: benefits 100:1 (Balmford et al., 2002) Why aren’t we there yet? – “Green and Competitive”: incorrect issue framing - ecology vs economy... ? (Porter & van der Linde, 1999)

Green Economy in Canada Implementation challenges facing Canada Conservative Party Building a Clean Energy Superpower Liberal Party Green shift Green Party Vision Green NDP The New Energy Economy Bloc Québécois Reducing Petroleum Dependence

Green Economy in Canada (cont.) Conservative Party - Promote Northern Pipelines - $3 billion to clean energy - 90% electricity from non-emitting sources by 2020

Green Economy in Canada (cont.) Liberal Party: - Putting a price on emissions - Reduce income and corporate taxes - Incentives for green investment and R&D

Green Economy in Canada (cont.) Green Party: - Tax shift similar to liberals’ - Invest in rail systems - Invest in public transportation - Move towards food self-sufficiency

Green Economy in Canada (cont.) New Democratic Party: - Financial incentives for clean power - Establish Canadian Renewable Energy Agency - Increase support for rail transport - Green-Collar Jobs Plan - Invest in low/zero emission vehicles

Green Economy in Canada (cont.) Bloc Québécois: - Encourage low emission vehicles - Conversion of heating systems - Support wind energy industry

Pembina Report Pembina Institute and David Suzuki Foundation, with economic predictions by M. K. Jaccard & Associates Inc. Suggests policies that will reduce GHGs by 25%-40% below 1990 levels GDP growth reduced by 0.3% until 2020

Case Study: Metro Vancouver

Case Study: Metro Vancouver (cont.) Regional Growth Strategy: 'Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping our Future'  How Metro Vancouver will sustainably accommodate over a million new residents by 2040 – Create compact urban areas – Support a sustainable economy – Protect the regional environment and respond to climate change – Develop complete communities – Support sustainable transportation choices

Case Study: City of Vancouver

'Vancouver 2020 A Bright Green Future: An Action Plan for Becoming the World’s Greenest City by 2020' Electric Car Program- 'being an electric vehicle friendly city‘ 'City Plan' & EcoDensity- density, design & land use can lead to sustainability, affordability & liveability

The Green Economy: Whose Responsibility is it? Individual municipal plans: ie, Vancouver 2020 “Full responsibility for implementing the [2040 RGS] plan rests squarely on the shoulders of the municipalities; Metro Vancouver acts largely in a regulatory role...” City of Port Coquitlam: Report to Council (2009)

Conclusion Ambiguity of the “green economy” concept Green economy in Canada: political challenges Green economy in Vancouver: who is responsible? Will the green economy be successful in Canada?