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Green Economy

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 :

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Green Economy

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  1. Green Economy Sarah Elliott, René Ménard, Tana Jukes

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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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 derLinde, 1999)

  6. 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

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

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

  9. 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

  10. 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

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

  12. 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

  13. Case Study: Metro Vancouver

  14. 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

  15. Case Study: City of Vancouver

  16. 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

  17. 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)

  18. 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?

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