Transcript powerpoint file

International
Environmental Policy
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF:
CANADA
HARI SRINIVAS
ROOM: I-312 / 079-565-7406
Environmental “zones” of Canaga
 A bioregion, also known
as an ecozone, is an area
defined by the presence
of a combination of
specific features,
including soils, climate,
landforms, and plant and
animal species.
 Canada has more then 10
bioregions
Environment Canada
 First established by the Department of the
Environment Act in 1971, Environment Canada's
role is to assess, monitor and protect the
environment, and to provide weather and
meteorological information to keep Canadians
informed and safe.
Environment Canada: the beginning
Environment Canada was created on June 11, 1971, from
elements of the Government of Canada such as the
Meteorological Service of Canada (established in 1871) and
the Canadian Wildlife Service (established in 1947).
The Department began operation with five services:
 Atmospheric Environment Service
 Environmental Protection Service
 Fisheries Service
 Land, Forest and Wildlife Service
 Water Management Service
Environment Canada:
Today, Environment Canada approaches protecting
the environment by:
 Making decisions based on the best evidence;
 Using the most effective tools to reach objectives;
 Using these tools efficiently to minimize public costs;
 Transparently seeking advice from all partners; and
 Adapting our approach when new information or
objectives come to light.
Environment Canada:
Environment Canada's mandate is to
 preserve and enhance the quality of the natural
environment, including water, air, soil, flora and fauna;
 conserve Canada's renewable resources;
 conserve and protect Canada's water resources;
 forecast daily weather conditions and warnings, and
provide detailed meteorological information to all of
Canada;
 enforce rules relating to boundary waters; and
 coordinate environmental policies and programs for the
federal government.
National
Environmental
Policy
Environmental
Issues
Specialized implementation
organization of the government
Environmental
Issues
Specialized implementation
organization of the government
Environmental
Issues
Specialized implementation
organization of the government
Environmental
Issues
Specialized implementation
organization of the government
Environmental
Issues
Specialized implementation
organization of the government
Businesses, civil society and
other stakeholders
Implementation Framework
Environment Canada:
Key partners include:
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citizens
non-governmental groups
research facilities
other federal departments
provincial and territorial governments
Aboriginal peoples
private sector organizations
international organizations
Environmental Legislation
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act,
1999 is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, whose
goal is:
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to contribute to sustainable development through pollution
prevention and
to protect the environment, human life and health from the
risks associated with toxic substances.
 It recognizes the contribution of pollution prevention
and management of toxic substances and hazardous
waste to reducing threats to Canada's ecosystems
and biological diversity.
Related legislation
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Canada National Parks Act
Canada Water Act
Canada Wildlife Act
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
Canadian Environmental Protection Act
Department of the Environment Act (Canada)
Natural
Canadian Environment Week Act, Canadian
Resources
Fisheries Act
International Boundary Waters Treaty Act
International River Improvements Act
Other Issues
Lake of the Woods Control Board Act
Manganese-Based Fuel Additives Act
Migratory Birds Convention Act
National Wildlife Week Act
Resources and Technical Surveys Act
Lakes and
Species at Risk Act
Rivers
Weather Modification Information Act
Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act
Water
Management
Climate and
Weather
Department
of the
Environment
Act
Biodiversity
Data and
Information
2012: Changes in Legislation
 In 20212, environmental
acts underwent major
changes under “Bill-38”.
 By placing the emphasis
on jobs, growth and
prosperity significant
changes have been made
 These changes have
affected the
government’s capacity to
carry out environmental
assessments and
environmental
regulations
Influencing national policy
Global
Environmental
Agreements
National
Environmental
Policy
Environment Canada uses a wide range of tools to
promote environmental leadership – from regulations
and other means to voluntary partnerships with
individuals, organizations, and other levels of
government.
National
Environmental
Issues
Hard and soft approaches
Laws and
Regulations
National
Environmental
Policy
Education and
Awareness
Technology
Solutions
Hard
Approach
Soft
Approach
Stakeholder heirarchy
“Environmental
Police”
Minister and other
bureaucrats
Officials
Field staff
Canada’s EcoLogo
 The Environmental Choice
Program is an “ecolabelling”
scheme
 It was established by Environment
Canada in 1988 with over 300
categories of products
 It helps consumers identify
services/products which are less
harmful to the environment
As of July 2013, there
are currently more than
7,000 EcoLogo certified
products from more than
300 different companies
There are 122 Ecologo
standards categories
under which products
can be certified.
Canada’s EcoLogo
 The Environmental Choice
Program is part of the Global
Ecolabelling Network (GEN)
 (Japan’s EcoMark is also
part of GEN)
www.globalecolabelling.net
Eco Lifestyles
Providing a choice to change
their lifestyles through eco
labels is just one way that
Canada is moving forward
sustainably …
National
Environmental
Policy
Market
for Eco
Products
Eco
Labeling
Eco
Lifestyle
Controversy 1: Canada and Climate Change
 In December 2011, Ministry of the Environment
announced Canada's withdrawal from the Kyoto
Protocol one day after nearly 200 countries met in
Durban, South Africa at the 2011 United Nations
Climate Change Conference
 Canada argued that:
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It was too expensive (nearly US$14 billion fines)
It was too complex to work
US and China, who emit more than 40% of global
emissions, were not part of Kyoto Protocol.
Controversy 2: Air and Water Pollution
 Significant air and water
pollution from USA
causes smog and acid
rain in Canada
 Ozone, sulphur dioxide
(SO2), nitrogen oxide
(Nox) and other
chemicals are being
reduced
Controversy 3: Tar/Oil Sands
 Tar sands are huge deposits of
asphalt that is turned into oil
through complex and energyintensive processes
 This process causes widespread
environmental damage.
 A vast area of Indigenous
territories, forests and wetlands
in northern Alberta are being
affected as a result.
Contact me …
Class website:
http://www.gdrc.info/iep
Prof. Hari Srinivas
Room: I-312
Tel: 079-565-7406
Email: [email protected]