Canadian scholars jointly put forward proposals for climate change action to the government

In March 2015, the Sustainable Canada Dialogue (Sustainable Canada Dialogues,SCD) released a report entitled "Climate change Action: solutions for Canadian Scholars" (Acting on Climate Change: Solutions from Canadian Scholars), which pointed out that thanks to abundant renewable energy, Canada can fully achieve renewable energy generation by 2035 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. The report identifies ten policy directions that can be taken immediately to promote the necessary transformation of Canada's low-carbon economy and sustainable society:

(1) carbon pricing. Carbon pricing is a key component of any comprehensive climate change policy. In the short term, it is recommended to adopt a national carbon tax or a national quota trade plan.

(2) include active targets for low-carbon electricity production in federal and provincial climate action plans. Thanks to the abundance of renewable energy, the Canadian power sector can quickly abandon fossil fuels and switch to low-carbon energy. In the short term, ambitious targets for the low-carbon power production sector are recommended. In the short to medium term, it is recommended to support the construction of inter-provincial power transmission infrastructure.

(3) integrate the oil and gas production sector into climate policy. According to the Canadian Department of Environment, the oil and gas production sector accounted for 24.7% of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2012. In the continental North American energy market, energy producers and exporters in Canada's energy-intensive industries will face pressure to keep pace with the United States. A strong regulatory framework covering carbon pricing will facilitate the development and deployment of innovation. In the short term, all direct and indirect subsidies to the fossil fuel industry will be eliminated. In the short to medium term, develop a clear regulatory framework coordinated with low-carbon social and economic transformation.

(4) adopt a multi-level energy policy with energy efficiency and electrification cooperation as the core. Led by the United States, Canada has positioned itself as a leader in energy efficiency standards in sectors such as industrial motors. However, Canadian energy efficiency standards lag behind current best practices. It can be addressed through national energy efficiency policies involving both federal and provincial governments. In the short term, formulate a national energy policy and determine a long-term plan for the transition to low-carbon energy. In the short term, ensure that government efficiency standards and procurement practices meet energy efficiency standards. Implement the goal of energy efficiency in extractive industries in the medium to long term.

(5) rapidly adopt low-carbon transportation strategy in Canada. In the context of the transformation of the energy sector, Canada's transport system needs to be significantly adjusted. Given the complexity of the transport sector, a series of actions may be required, and the costs and benefits of these actions have yet to be fully assessed. In the short term, update vehicle emission standards and support fuel diversification. To realize the electrification of road transportation in the medium to long term. Support new means of transport in the short to medium term. In the short term, support active activities such as cycling and walking. In the medium term, improve and enhance intercity rail and intermodal transport.

(6) integrate multi-scale landscape, land use, transport and energy infrastructure planning policies to ensure climate change mitigation. 81% of the Canadian population lives in cities. Cities are concentrated places of wealth, innovation, education, consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, poverty and vulnerability. Sustainable Canada's vision for cities is elaborated on three interrelated levels: landscape, city and architecture. In the short term, integrate climate change into the core of local and urban planning and identify new financing channels. In the short term, recognize and support the importance of green infrastructure and "smart growth" urban planning.

(7) support the transformation of the construction sector to a carbon neutral or carbon benefit (carbon-positive) sector. The construction sector should be the leader in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. In the short term, adopt ambitious building energy demand and efficiency targets to integrate climate change mitigation into national building codes. Invest in the use of renewable and environmental energy in new and existing buildings in the short to medium term.

(8) in Canada's transition to a low-carbon society, protect biodiversity and water quality and, as far as possible, aim at ways to bring net benefits.

(9) support the provision of fisheries forestry and agricultural practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enhance carbon sequestration and protect biodiversity and water quality.

(10) promote the transformation of low-carbon sustainable societies through the implementation of more participatory and open governance institutions.

Sustainable Canada Dialogue is a voluntary action plan established by more than 60 researchers from various provinces of Canada, its research network covers natural and social sciences, and sustainable development is the core of the research project. Researchers at the Sustainable Canada Dialogue worry that if the Canadian government does not guide the process of sustainable economic and social development, the next generation of Canadian citizens will face terrible consequences. and agreed that climate change is the most serious "symptom" of unsustainable development, and that all sectors of society must contribute to the transformation of a low-carbon sustainable future.