On August 14, 2015, the Alberta government released a Climate Leadership Discussion Document (Discussion Document) to lay the foundation for ongoing consultations with Albertans on climate change policy. The Discussion Document sets out the challenges the province faces, presents considerations and options for action, and offers questions to spur debate and discussion for stakeholders and members of the public. The Discussion Document is a follow up to the Alberta government’s June 2015 announcement that it was taking steps to achieve real, demonstrable reductions in the province’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by tightening the requirements under the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation and appointing an advisory panel to undertake a comprehensive review of Alberta’s climate change policy.
The Discussion Document sets out the province’s new approach to climate change to:
• serve as an important commitment to protect the health of Albertans and our ecosystem;
• make a significant and meaningful contribution to Canada’s greenhouse gas reduction commitments and the global effort to mitigate climate change;
• ensure the continued strength and competitiveness of the province’s economy in a lower carbon world;
• advance innovation, encourage adoption of new technologies and support more renewable and cleaner sources of energy and conservation;
• acknowledge the interactions and coordinate with other related policy initiatives, including the royalty review, land-use plans, infrastructure planning and investment;
• provide open and transparent monitoring and regular reporting to Albertans on progress toward emissions reductions;
• foster partnerships with municipalities, provinces, territories, the federal government and First Nations and Métis communities; and
• ensure Albertans are engaged and part of the solution.
Following the review process, Alberta’s climate change advisory panel will provide its recommendations and advice to the Minister of Environment and Parks in fall 2015. Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to engage in public meetings and taking the online survey.