There is clear scientific consensus that anthropogenic climate change is happening and will cause unavoidable and irreversible impacts. Despite the full implications of climate change remaining uncertain, there is a recognized need to act locally, provincially, nationally and internationally in … [Read more...]
Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan: An Update on Law and Policy Developments
Over the past 18 months we have seen a rapidly changing law and policy landscape for climate change mitigation in Alberta. The Climate Leadership Plan Changes began in November 2015 with the release of the long anticipated Climate Leadership Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan, based upon recommendations … [Read more...]
Unleashing the Environmental Power of Municipalities: Recommendations to Strengthen Alberta’s Municipal Government Act
Municipalities play a key role in the management and protection of Alberta’s environment. This occurs through regulation of private land uses and through local land use planning. Municipalities can also direct local changes that reduce the trajectory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and create … [Read more...]
The Difference a Year Makes: Changes to Canadian Federal Environmental Assessment Law in 2012
In 2012, the landscape of Canadian federal environmental assessment law was completely altered. Following on the heels of a truncated statutory review process in late 2011, federal environmental assessment law was re-written with the passage of Bill C-38 (the federal omnibus budget bill). This … [Read more...]