Our new blog is a quick digest to help Canadians through their thinking as they weigh the importance of climate policy on Monday. Thread below. #cdnpoli #elxn43 ow.ly/xU1h50wNcHA
Why does Canada need climate policy in the first place? The reality is that Canada can’t afford to ignore climate change. Inaction is far more expensive than climate ambition. ow.ly/eFG150wNdu9
Canadian leadership is important. We are one of the largest greenhouse-gas emitting nations—top 10 by most measures. If we don’t lead by example, we have no standing to push for greater ambition from other nations. ow.ly/PGXT50wNdv0
Canadians have different climate policy options to choose from. The evidence consistently shows that carbon pricing works. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions at the lowest possible economic cost. ow.ly/hgpc50wNdjN
Carbon pricing has a few unique features. Unlike most taxes, generating revenue isn’t the goal of carbon pricing. The goal is to reduce emissions, which carbon pricing does very efficiently. ow.ly/gIch50wNdmH
If you’re gradually reducing your emissions, it means you’re gradually paying less and less in carbon prices—which is the whole point. ow.ly/JEYz50wNdla
Carbon pricing has a number of other advantages. It should be a central piece of Canada’s approach to climate change. But myths continue to plague the conversation. ow.ly/PIXR50wNdpr
Rebates are a key feature of the federal carbon price. 90% of revenues from the federal carbon price are rebated directly to households. This approach leaves over 70% of covered households better off and maintains the incentive to reduce emissions. ow.ly/e0cu50wNAqU
In Canada, carbon pricing comes in many flavours. Output-based pricing is used for large emitters, and it creates an incentive to reduce emissions while protecting investment, competitiveness, and jobs. ow.ly/LEc050wNdrz
Output-based pricing is not an exemption for big polluters. Pretty much every province agrees that it’s a smart approach—even if they call it something else. ow.ly/QJ2350wNdsS
Not only can Canada lead on climate, it can lead with smart, cost-effective policies. Minimizing the costs of climate policy really matters. ow.ly/LX1z50wNe8K
Lastly, there’s a sure-fire way to make cost-effective policy more expensive. Implementing and then repealing foundational climate policies will increase economic uncertainty and increase the cost of reducing emissions. It’s lose-lose. ow.ly/XIhd50wNe9f
