In exploring the effects of Canada's net zero target, energy-economy researchers have primarily focused on the negative economic effects of greenhouse gas reductions, although they have shown some possible upsides to the energy transition, notably in renewables, energy efficiency, and zero-emission end-uses. Depending on the region, economic activity triggered by the energy transition could be much greater, but because of the speculative nature of such activities, researchers have left many possibilities unexamined. I use an energy-economy model called gTech to explore the 1) effects of net zero policy in Canada's oil and gas endowed region, and 2) potential economic opportunities for the region during the energy transition by promoting growth in emerging energy sources and technologies such as carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, hydrogen produced from natural gas, and mineral mining. I find that an increase in economic activity beyond that shown in other modeling exercises is plausible.

Canada has an ambitious plan to reduce the economy's net emissions to zero by 2050. This will require a step change in mitigation action, with deep energy savings and near economy-wide replacement of fossil fuels with clean energy. Achieving this while minimising negative impacts on activity and living standards will be challenging. Canada is already using a range of policy instruments to propel its green transition - including carbon pricing, regulations, investment incentives, and public procurement of green technology. This Paper explores reforms that could make climate policies work better together to lock in both deep emissions reductions and strong economic growth. As with important efforts to prepare communities for the impacts of climate change, Canada's provinces and territories will play a key role in the country's green transition.

First Published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Canadians have been coming to a greater understanding of the threat posed by global warming and the need for urgent action by governments, industry and the public at large. The Trudeau government has, more or less, taken up the cause. Provinces are recognizing the need for action, even as they fight over what that should be. Some multinational corporations are suddenly promoting themselves as environmental stewards. Concerned citizens are looking for ways to effectively reduce their carbon footprint. Yet progress has been slow and limited. In this book, long-time social and environmental activist Tony Clarke provides the hard-to-find information and analysis about what Canada is and is not doing right now to get to zero. He documents the key initiatives that are moving Canada towards a lower-carbon future. But he also spells out how contradictory government decisions and policies are enabling a business-as-usual approach by the oil and gas industry. In doing so, he examines how the Trudeau government promotes measures to reduce greenhouse gases — but then also promotes pipelines that permit further expansion of Alberta's oil sands and new liquidied natural gas plants with enormous greenhouse gas outputs. As a participant in events surrounding the 2016 Paris climate summit and as a critic of Alberta's heedless oil sands expansion in his book Tar Sands Showdown, Tony Clarke combines a deep understanding of environmental issues with knowledge of how Canada's economic and political systems operate. He identifies many positive initiatives organized by various civil society groups taking us on the path to zero emissions. For him, effective citizen engagement and action are key to the serious changes needed to get Canada to zero.