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The Cost of a Cleaner Future: Examining the Economic Impacts of Reducing GHG Emissions The Conference Board of Canada, 97 pages, September 6, 2017 Report by Len Coad , Robyn Gibbard , Alicia Macdonald , Matthew Stewart

The Cost of a Cleaner Future: Examining the Economic Impacts of Reducing GHG Emissions

The Conference Board of Canada, 97 pages, September 6, 2017
Report by Len Coad , Robyn Gibbard , Alicia Macdonald , Matthew Stewart

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This analysis studies three distinct policy measures—the impact of a carbon price and a shift in the electricity generation mix, the impact of substantially decarbonizing our electricity generation sector, and the impact of investments that will allow Canada to reduce its emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. Document Highlights In December 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by Canada and 195 other countries. The agreement committed participating countries to implement policies aimed at keeping global temperatures from rising more than two degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels. This report focuses on three themes related to Canada’s progress in reducing GHG emissions: The economic impact of carbon pricing—starting from the announced federal program and including a range of Conference Board scenarios. The economic impact of eliminating fossil fuel-fired electricity generation plants in Canada. The economic impact of the extensive investments in green technology development and implementation that will be required to achieve deep emissions reductions. Table of Contents Executive Summary Chapter 1—Introduction Chapter 2—Potential Economic Impacts of Carbon Pricing Methodology and Assumptions Results Chapter 3—Assessing the Impact of Restructuring Canada’s Infrastructure Economic Impact of Obsolete Capital: Background and Methodology Results Feasibility of Full Decarbonization Summary Chapter 4—Investment Requirements for Pathways to Deep Emissions Reductions Pathway to Achieving 30 Per Cent Emissions Reductions Pathways to Achieving 60 Per Cent Emissions Reductions Investment Summary Reality Check: Are the Investment Pathways Economically and Politically Feasible? Research Summary Appendix A—Input-Output Price Model Appendix B—Detailed Modelling Results Appendix C—Bibliography

This analysis studies three distinct policy measures—the impact of a carbon price and a shift in the electricity generation mix, the impact of substantially decarbonizing our electricity generation sector, and the impact of investments that will allow Canada to reduce its emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.

Document Highlights

In December 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by Canada and 195 other countries. The agreement committed participating countries to implement policies aimed at keeping global temperatures from rising more than two degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

This report focuses on three themes related to Canada’s progress in reducing GHG emissions:

The economic impact of carbon pricing—starting from the announced federal program and including a range of Conference Board scenarios.
The economic impact of eliminating fossil fuel-fired electricity generation plants in Canada.
The economic impact of the extensive investments in green technology development and implementation that will be required to achieve deep emissions reductions.

Executive Summary

Chapter 1—Introduction

Chapter 2—Potential Economic Impacts of Carbon Pricing

Methodology and Assumptions
Results

Chapter 3—Assessing the Impact of Restructuring Canada’s Infrastructure

Economic Impact of Obsolete Capital: Background and Methodology
Results
Feasibility of Full Decarbonization
Summary

Chapter 4—Investment Requirements for Pathways to Deep Emissions Reductions

Pathway to Achieving 30 Per Cent Emissions Reductions
Pathways to Achieving 60 Per Cent Emissions Reductions
Investment Summary
Reality Check: Are the Investment Pathways Economically and Politically Feasible?
Research Summary

Appendix A—Input-Output Price Model

Appendix B—Detailed Modelling Results

Appendix C—Bibliography