Global Institutions and Environmental Policies

• These are lecture notes about global institutions, climate change, and environmental policies.

Global Institutions

• Global institutions primarily focus on economic growth and development over environmental concerns.
• They aim to assist countries in overcoming poverty.
• Currently, there is no specific global institution dedicated solely to the environment.

List of Global Institutions

• The UN (United Nations) is a crucial institution with funding from its members, mainly the US, and headquarters in New York.
• The UN was established post-World War II to promote global peace, dignity, and equality.
• It has a Security Council with permanent member countries.
• It serves as a platform for communication and cooperation, where powerful nations advocate their norms and visions.
• The General Assembly includes 190 countries.
• The UN creates both binding and non-binding resolutions
• The UN enables humanitarian aid, human rights, norm codification, and an international criminal court is in place.
• There are 17 sustainable development goals
• Other Institutions include Financial Institutions, OECD (The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), the Arctic council, the WTO (World Trade Organization), and Military alliances

Arctic Council

• Eight Arctic countries engage in discussions regarding the Arctic, touching on environmental issues but primarily focusing on trade.
• Discussions do not primarily revolve around climate or environment

NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

• It is a military alliance where member countries defend each other.

INGOs (International Non-governmental Organization)

• These are international non-governmental organizations
• The 1992 Earth Summit adopted principles for environment and development through the Rio Declaration.
• The Rio Declaration emphasizes that human beings are central to sustainable development, taking precedence over everything else.

Principles

• The precautionary principle advocates for prioritizing safety over potential harm.
• The polluter-pays principle states that those responsible for pollution should bear the cost of remediation.
• Indigenous people possess rights in environmental decisions due to their traditional knowledge.

Climate Change

• Climate change manifests in altered weather patterns marked by storms, wind, rain/floods/drought, and forest fires.
• Scientists acknowledge gaps in understanding climate phenomena and uncertainties regarding the extent of biodiversity loss.
• Climate change can exacerbate existing problems.

Certain Events that are Happening

• There is an expected temperature increase of 2-4 degrees Celsius or even up to 6.
• Unpredictable precipitation patterns
• Sea level rise is expected to range from 0.2m to 1m.
• Melting of Greenland ice shield

Impacts of Continued Climate Change in Canada

• Coastal cities face potential challenges.
• City infrastructure may be at risk of flooding.
• Increased wildfires.
• Erosion of the Canadian Shield.
• Reduced ice roads in the North.
• Reduced glacier coverage.
• Rising temperatures may lead to health problems.
• There may be distribution changes in the animal population.
• Economic impacts can be seen on agriculture
• There may be an increase in pests or invasive species

Mitigation

• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, achieved through conservation, cessation of GHG usage, enhanced efficiency, and alternative energy sources
• Increasing carbon sinks

Adaptation

• The use of carbon Sinks, these are nature's way of absorbing and holding CO2 via trees, oceans, peatlands, and grasslands.

Technology

• Carbon capture & storage

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity consists of variation in life forms that include species, animals, and plants.
• Genetic variation within a species
• Variation in different ecological communities

What are Fossil Fuels?

• Fossil fuels are energy sources made from the remains of dead plants and animals that have been buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.
• Fossil fuels account for approximately 80% of the world's energy.
• Russia, Canada, India, and China possess larger reserves of fossil fuels due to their extensive landmass.
• Oil, coal, and natural gas are the commonly known forms of fossil fuels.

Tailing Ponds

• Tailing ponds emit Oil & gas (27%), transport (24%), and agriculture (AG) (10%)
• The advantages are that they are cheap, have high energy output, efficient and powerful industry, jobs, and enable trade

Disadvantages

• Emissions are a disadvantage
• Biodiversity & land impacts
• Water intensive
• Chemical pollution
• Health

Energy Sources

• Renewable energy, biofuels, and nuclear energy
• Has no emissions, is renewable, with many deposits
• Habitat loss/wildlife
• Costs and start up are high
• Oversupply issue
• Difficult access
• Hard to move and store

Climate Policy

• Reduce emissions
• Increase carbon sinks is important to help the environment
• Adapt nature-based solutions

Trudeau, 2015

• EC>ECCC stands for Environment Canada >Environment and Climate Change Canada
• There are treaties like the Paris protocol at UN COP> down 2005 by 2030

Price on Carbon

• Price on carbon: either through carbon tax OR cap and trade
• Carbon tax: control the price
• Cap and trade: controlling emissions
• Provinces can choose one of these and meet the benchmark OR have the federal government do it

2018 GGPPA (Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act)

• There is a tax on consumers using gas if their province does not have one, the Canada revenue agency does it CRA
• Out-put pricing system

2018

• 2024: "Parliament has jurisdiction to exact this law as a matter of natural concern under POGG clause 91 of the constitution"
• POGG means peace, order, and good government of Canada
• Emergency

Residue and Concern

• Residual (gap)
• National concern

2021

• 40-45% down 2005 by 2030

Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act 2021

• Emissions are the amounts being let out, this total needs to be reduced
• Canada has said we will be able to absorb how many we are emitting
• Canada will use natural carbon sinks

2030

• Emission Reduction Plan is under way
• There is 10 billion dollars in funding
• Get rid of carbon tax in Canada

Ontario

• Ontario does not need to climate policy according to Ford
• Tensions between other provinces are there

International Environmental Law

• International environmental laws are treaties and agreements between countries to protect the environment
• The challenges are differing interests and economy
• Having very weak enforcement methods
• Country is reluctant to give up control
• Global issues are cross border

UN Conventions

• Made through negotiations at international conferences, sign ins, ratification by countries
• Drawbacks of slow agreements
• Comprising and slow
• Lack of rules
• Power is not equally divided between reach and poor nations

Canada and Being Environmetal Leader

• Canada withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol (2001), becoming the first country to do
• Slow action on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Continued reliance on fossil fuels despite global climate commitments.

Kyoto Protocol

• First binding international agreement on greenhouse gas emissions.
• Set a global precedent for climate negotiations.
• Raised awareness about climate change.
• Contributed to the formation of the IPCC and other climate institutions.

International Principles

• Foster international cooperation and dialogue.
• Establish common goals and expectations.
• Moral pressure encourages countries to align with global standards.
• Can influence national policies indirectly through public opinion and diplomacy.
• Provides a foundation for future binding agreements.

Energy in Canada

• Provinces control energy production, while the federal government handles environmental protection.
• Alberta/Saskatchewan rely on fossil fuels; Quebec/B.C. use hydroelectric power.
• Conflicts between provincial energy policies and federal climate goals make nationwide strategies difficult.

Alberta's Bitumen

• Bitumen is a key economic resource but harmful to the environment.
• High carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels worsen climate change.
• Extraction disrupts ecosystems, and there are concerns about pollution and Indigenous rights.

Combating Climate Change

• Research local climate action plans and government initiatives, such as green energy, public transit, and carbon reduction projects.
• Be sure to cite credible sources (local government reports, etc.).

Inconsistent Carbon Tax

• Provinces have different economic needs and energy sources.
• Alberta resists taxes).
• Political differences and concerns about costs and competitiveness play a role.
• Federalism gives provinces the power to choose policies, leading to inconsistencies.

Nuclear Power

• Nuclear energy is low-emission, making it a cleaner option.
• But there are risks: radioactive waste, high costs, and safety concerns.
• Canada uses nuclear power, but expanding it would need major investment and regulatory changes.

Obstacles in Making Stronger Climate Change

• Tension between federal and provincial priorities complicates national policy.
• Canada's dependence on fossil fuels for economic growth hinders a shift to renewables.
• Political resistance and public opposition slow down policies like carbon pricing.
• Infrastructure challenges for renewable energy

Protecting Species

• Provinces control wildlife and land use, limiting federal authority.
• Inconsistent laws: Only some provinces have species protection laws, leading to
• Weak land-use regulations make it hard to protect wildlife habitats.
• Species decline due to climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and invasive species.
• Economic concerns and resistance to federal intervention hinder strong conservation efforts.

Federal Government

• Federal government mainly oversees migratory birds, aquatic species, and federal lands.
• Species at Risk Act (SARA): Relies more on voluntary stewardship than strict enforcement.
• International commitments: Canada is part of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
• The federal government manages national parks and reserves.
• The Canadian Wildlife Service supports research and public education on biodiversity.

Species at Risk Legislation

• Some provinces like Ontario have specific laws.
• Other provinces rely on general laws that offer weaker protection.
• Habitat protection is often not enforced unless species are already endangered.

Helping Species

• Advocate for stronger policies: Support laws that protect wildlife at all levels.
• Support conservation groups: Volunteer or donate to organizations working on species protection.
• Reduce personal impact: Avoid products that harm habitats.
• Participate in citizen science: Join efforts like bird counts or species tracking.
• Raise awareness: Educate others about the importance of conservation

No Species at Risk Legislation

• Some provinces prefer using general environmental
• Industries like logging, mining, and agriculture push against
• Economic development often takes precedence over conservation.
• Some provinces prefer stewardship over binding laws.

Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge

• Ecological expertise: Indigenous knowledge helps understand ecosystems and species behavior.
• Holistic approach: ATK complements scientific methods by focusing on the interconnection of species and environments.
• Legal and ethical responsibility: Recognizes Indigenous rights and treaties in environmental management.
• Better conservation: Collaborating with Indigenous communities leads to more conservation strategies.

Explore the role of global institutions in addressing climate change and environmental policies. Understand how these institutions, like the UN prioritize economic growth and development and facilitate international cooperation through resolutions and humanitarian aid.