Assignment 1 CO 2 emissions & Climate scenarios (25% of Final Grade)
Evaluating future emission and climate change scenarios using an interactive model
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Paris from November 30 – December 13 2015 resulted in a substantial shift in global climate action: the Paris Agreement. On November 4 2016, the Paris Agreement came into force, of which Canada is a large player; however, climate policies are an important part of this transition. In The Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) set forth a framework for national-level policies for Canada.
You have been hired as an energy and climate change consultant to investigate Canada’s PCF, compare it to other countries’ climate policies, and to offer a ‘new’ policy scenario through the utilization of a new online model and other open-source databases.
Your task is to: effectively utilize an energy and climate model, evaluate Canada’s PCF and compare to international statistics and policies, highlight policy options and their respective impact(s), and to provide concise policy recommendations for Canada’s clean energy future.
Currently a number of online and open-source resources exist for evaluating energy policy options:
- Energy Innovation Policy and Technology LLC released an open source modeling software Energy Policy Solutions (EPS). Currently, their software provides policy analytics for Canada, China, US, Mexico, Indonesia and Poland. https://canada.energypolicy.solutions/
- Natural Resources Canada has interactive Energy Maps (e.g., Clean Energy Map, Remote Communities Energy Database): http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/geography/atlas-canada/interactive-maps/18234#s2
Task 1: Exploring Canada’s Energy Geography & Climate Change Profile (20% 1.5 Pages)
Using the model and additional resources, create Canada’s ‘Energy & Climate Change Profile’ (e.g., GDP, Energy & Electricity statistics, CO2 emissions, Fuel Consumption & pollutant emissions)
Identify Canada’s Paris agreement status, commitment and related PCF policies
Investigate Canada’s energy geography and key energy resources
(http://geoappext.nrcan.gc.ca/GeoCanViz/map/nacei-cnaie/en/index.html)
One key part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change is clean energy developments. Investigate key areas of Canada’s clean energy ‘geography’ and Canada’s status on clean energy resources and projects. (http://atlas.gc.ca/cerp-rpep/en/). Highlight key directions for Canada’s clean energy developments.
Investigate Canada’s ‘Remote Community Energy Geography’ and their involvement in Canada’s energy geography. Identify whether the PCF adequately involves these communities and highlight policy opportunities.
Task 2: Climate & Energy Profiles – Compare & Evaluate (20% 1.5 Pages)
Select 2 countries used in the Energy Modelling Simulator and compare them to Canada (i.e., two from China, United States, Poland, Indonesia). Using the model and additional climate change resources, compare them to Canada and identify their Paris Agreement status, commitments and general information to generate their ‘climate & energy profile.’
Investigate the roles of these countries in relation to the Paris Agreement and how Canada compares
Using the model and additional resources identify and compare main attributes influencing each country’s climate and energy policy scenarios (e.g., GDP, Energy & Electricity statistics, CO2 emissions, Fuel Consumption & pollutant emissions). Consider the influence of these attributes (e.g., is there any relation between these attributes? What trends do you recognize? Are there other attributes that should be considered?)
Explore and evaluate the simulated climate policy options for each country. Identify the climate policy options for each country (in the model simulator) and how they compare to each other. Identify strengths and weaknesses for each country.
Task 3: Exploring Energy & Climate Policy Options (20% 1.5 pages)
Explore different energy and climate policy options via Energy Policy Solutions’ resources (https://us.energypolicy.solutions/docs/policy-design-index.html) and other resources.
Evaluate the policy options and identify which options are realistic and appropriate for Canada. What are the key areas to target (e.g., transportation, buildings & appliances, electricity supply, industry, agriculture & land use, cross sector, R&D)?
Using the model, explore how different policy solutions influence different elements: CO2E, Pollutant Emissions, Human lives, Finances, Electricity Capacity. Explain how certain factors shape policy effectiveness (e.g., intensity of the mechanism, implementation schedule)
Identify what happens when you set a price on carbon and key considerations for carbon pricing and taxes (e.g., what happens when you change its introduction date? What is the ideal price and implementation schedule for carbon as you reach your goals?)
Task 4: Designing Canada’s ‘Dream’ Climate & Energy Policy (40% 3.5 pages)
Based on what you have learned from the previous stages, it is now time to create your own climate policies using the interactive model.
Clearly outline your policies & directions. What are your goals and priorities for Canada’s strategy for 2030 & 2050? What mechanisms will achieve this transformation?
Describe the policies you have chosen, why you have selected the policies, and what happens to key plots under your scenario.
Explain the changes that you have made and how they compare to the previous models for Canada (e.g., Business as usual (BAU), Pan Canadian Framework (PCF) and Pan Canadian Framework (PCF) extended).
Consider the social, environmental and financial impacts, as well as key stakeholders.
Structure:
Include an introduction and conclusion to your report. Suggested page length excludes figures or tables. Be creative and learn from your evaluation and exploration of this model. Appendices can be used for additional figures or calculations.
Overall:
Support your conclusions with references to other sources (normal = five). The focus of this assignment is to learn to evaluate policies, their effectiveness and use a tool. Submit on learn and a hard copy at the beginning of class when it is due.
