"Climate Examiner," PICS Weekly Round-up, April 7, 2016
Energy-efficient home retrofits have taken off in Ontario and Nova Scotia as a result of small tweaks to legislation in the last five years.
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Change to school-leaving certificates positive but lacks oversight
By Katie Hyslop, The Tyee, April 11, 2016
Around 60 Indigenous students set to get Evergreens instead of diplomas, violating new rules.
Until this past February, any British Columbian student could be put on track towards a school-leaving certificate, also known as an Evergreen Certificate, instead of a high school diploma.
Originally intended to recognize the achievement of special needs students, whose abilities meant they were unable to earn a high school diploma, Aboriginal Grade 12 students have been receiving Evergreens at more than twice the rate of their non-Indigenous peers since 2010/11.
As a result, allegations of "racism of low expectations" have been aimed at districts with high Aboriginal Evergreen rates by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), Indigenous leaders, the BC School Trustees Association and the BC Teachers' Federation.
This Green House II in PICS News
PICSnews-Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, Winter 2016
A new PICS supported report from the Columbia Institute details the minor legislative changes needed to open doors for scaling up residential energy efficiency retrofits across Canada. The report, entitled 'This Green House II' provides a valuable summary of building energy efficiency policies and financing programs across the country, identifying what works and where the barriers are.
Read more (Page 3)
Attacking the Clean Power Plan
Report reveals how Canadian corporations may be supporting action against US climate regulations
Toronto, ON, March 14 – The methane reduction deal reached last week between Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama could be undermined by aggressive lobbying and legal actions by US trade associations, some of which include Canadian corporations as members.
A case study released this week by the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) found that many large American trade associations with Canadian membership are actively lobbying against regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In some cases, trade association membership dues are supporting an army of lawyers and lobbyists that are challenging Obama’s Clean Power Plan – a centrepiece of the US government’s greenhouse gas reduction plans.
“The actions of these trade associations should raise red flags for their Canadian members,” says SHARE’s Director of Shareholder Engagement, Kevin Thomas, who also authored the report. “Canadian companies need to establish clear and effective oversight and review of their trade association memberships to identify substantial policy misalignments which could result in regulatory, operational and reputational risks for their business and their shareholders.”
The report, “Attacking the Clean Power Plan: How Canadian corporations are indirectly supporting action against US climate regulations,” provides examples of Canadian companies connected to US trade associations and studies the risks that can arise for investors linked to aggressive lobbying, especially as it relates to management and disclosure of political spending associated with climate action.
Read the full report here.
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How Canadian corporations may support action against US climate regulations
Our Responsible Investment partner, SHARE, released a new report that examines how Canadian corporations may besupporting actionagainst US climate regulations.
The methane reduction deal reached in March 2016 between Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama could be undermined by aggressive lobbying and legal actions by US trade associations, some of which include Canadian corporations as members.
A case study released this week by the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) found that many large American trade associations with Canadian membership are actively lobbying against regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In some cases, trade association membership dues are supporting an army of lawyers and lobbyists that are challenging Obama’s Clean Power Plan – a centrepiece of the US government’s greenhouse gas reduction plans.
“The actions of these trade associations should raise red flags for their Canadian members,” says SHARE’s Director of Shareholder Engagement, Kevin Thomas, who also authored the report. “Canadian companies need to establish clear and effective oversight and review of their trade association memberships to identify substantial policy misalignments which could result in regulatory, operational and reputational risks for their business and their shareholders.”
The report, “Attacking the Clean Power Plan: How Canadian corporations are indirectly supporting action against US climate regulations,” provides examples of Canadian companies connected to US trade associations and studies the risks that can arise for investors linked to aggressive lobbying, especially as it relates to management and disclosure of political spending associated with climate action.
Read the full report here.
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Good Jobs, Clean Skies
SINCE THE FIRST ARRIVAL of Canadian Pacific and Great Northern trains, Metro Vancouver has been built up by strategic transportation investment. Our valuable location on the Pacific and the Fraser is supported by great sea and air ports that rely on efficient movement of goods and people to do their work.
Better transportation is needed by all economic sectors and every type of worker. And the good news is these are green jobs. Transit occupies a sweet spot for creating good jobs that reduce our environmental footprint. They are a classic green jobs generator.
From March 16 to May 29, 2015, people in Metro Vancouver will vote on an ambitious plan to expand transit. A 0.5 per cent sales tax would generate $250 million per year for the Mayors’ Council 10-year Transportation and Transit Plan and leverage further transit funds from the provincial and federal governments.
The impact on jobs and greenhouse gases are key considerations in that decision.
Resources, Rights and Respect: Investor Expectations of the Human Rights Responsibilities of Mining Companies
Mining is a globally important industry with profound effects on communities and the environment. due to the growing interest in the social impacts of business, these effects – both positive and negative – are increasingly being viewed through the lens of international human rights. Expectations of the human rights responsibilities of mining companies are evolving, with input from international agencies, governments, industry associations, civil society organisations, academics and communities.
This report presents SHaRE’s analysis of the current and emerging international human rights standards for the mining sector. It details how mining companies should demonstrate their commitment to respect human rights through their management systems and their performance in specific areas such as labour rights, relationships with communities, and the environment. The report also identifies opportunities for investors to engage with companies to examine and enhance human rights policies and to achieve better human rights outcomes. It is our view that investors have a critical role to play in encouraging companies to adopt and effectively implement human rights management systems. It is also our view that companies that perform well in these areas can have stronger reputations, a more secure social license to operate, reduced potential for legal liabilities and ultimately better financial performance.
CLICK HERE to read the whole report.
Report: B.C. municipalities want province to modernize mining regulations
Find the full release on Municipal InfoNet.
B.C.’s mining legislation, drafted in the mid-1800’s, is creating significant challenges for local governments, says a new recent study by the Columbia Institute and the Sierra Club of BC.
‘The ‘free entry’ process under BC’s Mineral Tenure Act gives rights to mining companies that can override local environmental and health considerations. Under the existing system, mining can take precedence over the needs of other local economic sectors, including tourism and forestry,’ said Charley Beresford, Executive Director of the Columbia Institute.
‘The existing Mineral Tenure Act interferes with the ability of local residents to make important decisions about the future of their communities,’ said Beresford. ‘Other provinces where mining plays an important economic role have already updated legislation and eliminated or modified the ‘free entry’ system.”
BC’s local governments are making a formal request for modernization through the Union of BC Municipalities.
Contentious mining proposals within or close to the boundaries of BC municipalities, including Kamloops and Tofino, have made local government ability to regulate mining activity a major issue in communities across the province. In mid-2012, the provincial Environmental Assessment Office had 26 mine proposals in process.
According to the Study, commissioned from the Sierra Club of BC by the Columbia Institute, mineral tenure reform could empower municipalities, regional districts, and First Nations to more effectively address mining in local land use decisions and significantly reduce the potential for drawn out conflict between local communities and mining interests.
DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT: Mining: The Challenge for BC Local Governments
This Green House: Building Fast Action for Climate Change and Green Jobs
A new study – "This Green House: Building Fast Action on Climate Change and Green Jobs" by the Columbia Institute – reveals that modest investments in energy conservation in homes can save homeowners thousands of dollars and dramatically and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada.
The report shows that, at current energy prices, a homeowner can double their return – over $12,000 on an average $6,000 investment in energy efficiency over 25 years – by making simple changes like upgrading hot water tanks, home heating and cooling systems, and improving weatherization and insulation of homes.
“Our report shows that, with municipal energy efficiency financing, fast action on climate change is within the reach of most communities and homeowners,” said Charley Beresford, Executive Director of the Columbia Institute. “A small investment in one’s home– supported with loans provided at the municipal level – will give homeowners significant energy savings that they can take to the bank.”
The report examines the role Canadian municipalities can play in setting up financing programs for residential energy retrofits. Loans provided to homeowners by municipalities, financial institutions, utilities or other funders can be paid back graduallythrough small payments on property taxes or utility bills – removing a key financial barrier for many homeowners. Loan payments can be made from energy bills savings, making energy efficiency retrofits affordable for most homeowners.
Other highlights from the study:
- In 2008, heating, cooling and electricity in buildings accounted for 28% of Canada’s GHG emissions from energy use.
- Average energy savings from retrofits: from 26% to 35% per home.
- Energy efficiency retrofits create 20 jobs for each $1 million invested, compared with the oil and gas industry in Canada, whichcreates only 5.2 jobs for each $1 million invested.
- Retrofits increase local business and jobs for heating-and-cooling and home improvementcompanies and suppliers.
- No net cost to taxpayers – municipal loans paid back over time by homeowners.
Download a copy HERE.