Blog & Opinion - Page 6 of 56

May 29 2019

Without climate policy, “innovation” is just a buzzword

Lately we’ve seen argument after argument after argument for using “technology” and “innovation” as fixes for climate change. But reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires specific types of innovation. Without broad incentives that signal the value of low- or zero-carbon technologies, we’ll get more of what led us to this point. Ironically, carbon pricing opponents are […]

May 22 2019

Gear shift: Alberta’s climate policies poised for big changes

by Dale Beugin and Brendan Frank

Climate and Energy Alberta Carbon Pricing Provincial Policy Revenue Recycling

Today, Alberta’s newly-elected government will table the Carbon Tax Repeal Act. If the bill proceeds as expected, the carbon levy could be gone as early as next week. However, that doesn’t mean the end of the province’s climate policy discussion. We’ll use this blog to explain what the changes mean within and beyond Alberta. The […]

May 14 2019

Arguments for and against “supply-side” climate policies

by Jason Dion

Climate and Energy Carbon Coordination Carbon Pricing Complementary Policies

Our April blog about supply-side climate policies generated some online discussion. Some comments focused on the bigger, global picture. Others focused on the nuts and bolts. In particular, we got questions about our “leakage” assertion—namely, that if Canada cut back its production of fossil fuels there would just be an offsetting increase elsewhere that more or […]

May 3 2019

Summary of Saskatchewan Court Decision on the Federal Carbon Pricing Law

by Stewart Elgie

Climate and Energy Carbon Pricing Ecofiscal Commissioners Provincial Policy Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled that the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) is constitutionally valid; it falls within federal authority under the “National Concern” power – a branch of the Peace, Order and Good Government power. What is the decision? 3 of the 5 judges joined in this majority opinion. The two […]

a large series of off-ramps connecting a larger road network

May 1 2019

What “demand is inelastic” actually means

by Chris Ragan and Brendan Frank

Pollution Carbon Pricing Congestion Pricing Economics for the Rest of Us Traffic User Fees

“A carbon tax does nothing for the environment.” “Road tolls won’t affect driving habits.” “Prices don’t matter when we’re using water for everyday life.” We hear these arguments frequently when discussing ecofiscal policies. Critics might even drop a little economics jargon. But that doesn’t mean these arguments are grounded in good economics. In this blog, […]

Apr 24 2019

Carbon pricing is boring

by Dale Beugin

Climate and Energy Cap-and-trade Carbon Pricing Carbon tax Provincial Policy

If you judged by Twitter alone, you could be forgiven for thinking carbon pricing was as controversial as the colour of a certain dress. And look, I get it. On one hand, there’s increasing apprehension around the costs of climate change. On the other, there’s anxiety around the affordability of a low-carbon transition. Combining those […]

An Open Letter from Economists on Canadian Carbon Pricing

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