Fairness Archives - Canada's Ecofiscal Commission

Some provinces have implemented policies to reduce green house gas emissions

Sep 19 2018

On Provincial Climate Policy and Early Action

When it comes to provincial climate policy, not every province is starting from the same place. Some, for example, have previously implemented policies to reduce GHG emissions. Should provinces be able to use these “early actions” to justify implementing less stringent carbon pricing policies now? In short, no. Here’s a slightly wonkish explainer. How to […]

Jul 18 2018

Pricing risk to the environment works best when it’s fair

by Jason Dion

Pollution Catastrophic Risk Fairness Polluter Pay Provincial Policy Wonk Wednesday

Our latest report Responsible Risk explains how putting a price on risk to the environment can make disasters less likely. The report shows how we can use economic tools to strengthen companies’ incentives to manage environmental risks posed by their operations. In this blog, I’ll discuss why when it comes to risk pricing, one size […]

May 23 2018

Why 1.6% matters

by Brendan Frank

Climate and Energy Climate Change Competitiveness Fairness

Canadians have strong moral and economic arguments for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. But how could Canada’s seemingly minor share of global emissions (about 1.6%) possibly be of consequence? What do our actions matter? Quite a bit, actually, and we can slice the data in different ways to show why. The big picture Humanity collectively […]

Apr 18 2018

We can design fair carbon pricing (and we already are)

by Jason Dion

Climate and Energy Carbon Pricing Fairness Revenue Recycling

In discussions about carbon pricing, the question of how it will impact low-income households comes up a lot. Put in other words, is carbon pricing unfair? In this blog, I discuss how carbon pricing might affect low-income earners, how smart policy can address potential equity issues, and what Canadian governments are doing about it. The […]

Mar 22 2018

Counting Down: Cape Town’s Water Crisis

by Katrine Claassens

Livable Cities Water Climate Change Fairness User Fees Water Pricing

On World Water Day, all eyes are on Cape Town, South Africa. My hometown is struggling with a water shortage crisis and approaching ‘Day Zero’— the day when its municipal water delivery will cease for all residents except those providing essential services. Cape Town’s residents have delayed Day Zero — for now — thanks to […]

May 11 2016

Making carbon pricing fair in rural and urban areas

by Vincent Thivierge

Climate and Energy Carbon Pricing Fairness Revenue Recycling

In previous blogs, we’ve explored how carbon pricing is expected to affects households with different income-levels and how different revenue recycling options can address potential fairness issues for low-income households. In this last blog of the series, we address additional fairness issues such as the impact on rural and urban households. There are multiple dimensions […]

An Open Letter from Economists on Canadian Carbon Pricing

Fairness