Ziptrek Ecotours

Competing Initiatives

February 2009

As Barak Obama enters office with promises to introduce a major plan to tackle climate change, there is reason for optimism. There is also reason for confusion. While it appears the momentum is carrying us towards a comprehensive multi-jurisdictional initiative, what are local governments and businesses supposed to do with the groundwork already in place? Do we risk derailing meaningful change with squabbles and confusion, or will the initiatives already in place be merged in such a way that businesses and governments are not hobbled with a multi-layered crippling administrative mess?

For example, what are businesses expected to do with respect to a regionally based program like the Western Climate Initiative? The WCI is an agreement between seven states and four provinces (including B.C.) to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020. The reduction would be through a cap-and-trade program that represents a clear departure from current Canadian and American federal climate change plans. But national plans are in the works. Obama said during a November 18 internet posting  that a federal cap and trade system will be rolled out early in his plan, that will “reduce emissions to their 1990 levels by 2020 and reduce them an additional 80 per cent by 2050.” That same month, the Canadian government’s Speech from the Throne laid out specific promises on what it plans to do about climate change, including a vow to have 90 per cent of the country’s electricity come from so-called low-emitting sources such as hydro, wind, and nuclear power by 2020.The government discussed possibly joining the U.S. in a cap and trade system.

The WCI is expected to roll itself out in 2012, which is probably exactly when the U.S federal plan should be ready. While one would hope businesses are eager to do the right thing, if the message is mixed, and adapting costs money, businesses may find it prudent to wait it out for the dust to clear.

At this early stage of important change, it is important that companies and governments remain focused on clear goals, and allow the most effective and efficient organizations to prevail.