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Yesterday the Task Force for a Resilient Recovery released a preliminary report with recommendations for a #greenrecovery for Canada (read it here: http://bit.ly/2ZNwZhg ) A thread with a few thoughts on it: 1/15
Full disclosure: I was consulted for my views on principles for a green recovery back in May as an ‘expert advisor’ to the Task Force, but I have not been involved in writing the report and the views expressed here are those of an independent academic. 2/15
My views are informed by my research on green stimulus measures following the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), summarized in this op-ed: https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-and-the-economy-we-need-green-stimulus-not-fossil-fuel-bailouts-133492 3/15
One key thing I have learned to look for in #greenrecovery proposals is whether they address inequality (because inequality sucks and is also really bad for the environment - https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/04/is-inequality-bad-for-the-environment ) 4/15
The Task Force addresses inequality on p. 39, but I would like to see it integrated more into the proposed green stimulus measures 5/15
We can look at whether stimulus measures target funding to: (i) low income earners; (ii) communities most affected by environmental damage and/or the transition away from a fossil fuel economy; (iii) projects that produce public goods rather than private consumption. 6/15
On (i), it is great to see a focus on home retrofits (a low hanging fruit for GHG emissions reductions), but I would like to see more targeting to low income households (I say this against my own self-interest, as my house needs a retrofit & wouldn't qualify as low income) 7/15
In terms of (ii), great to see funding for “Indigenous-led” initiatives. A rare example of a success story from the Canadian GFC stimulus was the Indigenous Cowessess First Nation wind and storage demonstration project: 8/15
On (iii), there is a lot of focus on EVs. Of course, EVs are going to play a role and I definitely support some charging infrastructure investments and legislated mandates for car manufacturers to phase-out fossil fuel vehicles… 9/15
But I would also like to see something on public transportation & incentives for municipalities to create “15-minute cities’” and reduce our need for cars altogether https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-15/mayors-tout-the-15-minute-city-as-covid-recovery 10/15
In addition to addressing inequality, we also of course want green stimulus funds to deliver BIG on GHG emissions reductions and other environmental benefits. As such, we need to think carefully about rebound effects and the potential for greenwashing. 11/15
E.g., while it is good to have a Clean Energy Fund, it will need to have strict environmental criteria. I am having flashbacks to when the Norwest Transmission Line got $130M of Harper’s ‘green’ stimulus https://thetyee.ca/News/2009/09/21/northwesttransmission/ 12/15
Also in this vein, finance for emerging technologies (p. 27) is good, but I am a bit worried by the mention of “bitumen beyond combustion”– let’s remember that tar sands extraction has horrendous environmental impacts and GHGs are not the only problem. 13/15
Finally, while I don’t know a lot about hydrogen (p.29)… I worry about the kind we will get here in Canada (i.e. fossil fuel derived rather than renewable energy based) https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24232333-300-hydrogen-has-a-dirty-secret-lets-not-think-its-always-a-green-fuel/#ixzz6T29IFSmn 14/15
These comments are intended in the spirit of friendly feedback! I greatly appreciate the work of the Task Force (and many other groups) to try to ensure a green recovery from the current crisis. I look forward to seeing the final report in September. 15/15
