It’s not just Trump. Canada’s climate policies face a bumpy road post-Trudeau
Mar 6, 2025
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Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate Institute, shares his insights on Canada’s climate challenges as it navigates post-Trudeau leadership. He discusses the implications of U.S. policies on Canadian climate strategies, emphasizing the importance of local initiatives in driving change. Smith highlights the need for urgent policy reforms to address climate adaptation amid extreme weather events and notes Canada’s ambitious emission reduction goals, alongside the tensions in the oil and gas sector. His expert analysis sheds light on the future of climate policy in Canada.
Canada's climate policies face uncertainty due to political changes, with provincial and municipal actions crucial for meaningful climate progress.
External pressures from U.S. climate policy and rising emissions in the oil and gas sector complicate Canada's path to achieving its 2030 targets.
Deep dives
Canada's Climate Policy Landscape
Canada is experiencing significant shifts in its climate policies amid political changes and external pressures, particularly from the U.S. The Canadian Climate Institute, led by Rick Smith, serves as an independent expert body, providing critical research and recommendations aimed at guiding climate action in the country. Smith emphasizes the need for greater provincial and municipal involvement in climate initiatives, as they have the potential to drive meaningful change that complements federal efforts. As Canada approaches elections, the future of its climate initiatives, including carbon pricing, remains uncertain, with various political factions expressing intentions to modify existing structures.
Challenges in the Oil and Gas Sector
Despite reporting a national reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Canada's oil and gas sector remains a significant obstacle, with emissions rising by approximately 10% since 2005. The consequences of U.S. climate policy, particularly actions from the Trump administration, have created anxiety regarding Canada's energy security and dependence on fossil fuels. The increased focus on building pipelines suggests a troubling trend toward enhancing reliance on carbon-intensive industries, which may hinder progress in reducing overall emissions. Smith argues that without additional policies to promote faster decarbonization, Canada is at risk of falling short of its emissions reduction targets set for 2030.
The Urgency of Climate Adaptation
Recent extreme weather events in Canada, such as devastating wildfires and flooding, have underscored the pressing need for climate adaptation measures alongside emissions reduction efforts. These events have catalyzed public awareness and shifted conversations about climate impacts from future concerns to immediate threats affecting communities. The Canadian Climate Institute collaborates with the insurance industry to assess damage and devise strategies for enhancing community resilience against climate impacts. Smith highlights the importance of moving beyond a purely environmental policy focus to recognize climate change as a multifaceted public policy issue that demands urgent attention and action.
As President Donald Trump heats up a North American trade war, Canada is already facing big challenges within its own government. Next week, the governing Liberal party will announce Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's successor. And later this year, the country will hold a general election. Rick Smith, president of the Canadian Climate Institute, joins Zero to discuss what shape the country's climate ambitions might take under new leadership, how Canada can deal with the Trump challenge, and why he expects meaningful climate policy in Canada to be driven by provinces and municipalities.
Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Mythili Rao. Special thanks this week to Siobhan Wagner and Jessica Beck. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green.