Relations internationales

C16(a) - Environmental Geopolitics

Date: Jun 5 | Heure: 08:30am to 10:00am | Salle:

Chair/Président/Présidente : Andrew Heffernan (University of Ottawa)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Andrew Heffernan (University of Ottawa)

The Geopolitics of Quantum Sensors, Security, and the Mitigation of Climate Change in the Arctic and High North Kristen Csenkey, Centre for International Governance Innovation Emissions Reduction and Canada’s New Defence Policy Wilfrid Greaves, University of Victoria Andrew Heffernan, University of Ottawa US-China Cooperation: Dancing with the Rival Saira Bano, Thompson Rivers University Kari Roberts, Mount Royal University Canada and the Contemporary Geopolitics of Strategic Minerals and Their Supply Chains J. Andrew Grant, Queen's University Olivia Howells, Queen's University, Benjamin Ofosu-Atuahene, Queen's University Olusola Ogunnubi, Queen's University

US-China Cooperation: Dancing with the Rival: Saira Bano (Thomspon Rivers University), Kari Roberts (Mount Royal University)
Abstract: The shift from engagement to competition in US-China relations marks a system-level resurgence of the great power rivalry. While strategic competition largely defines their interactions today, the US seeks to cooperate with China at the unit-level, on a range of issues from conflict prevention and arms control to public health and anti-narcotics. The global challenge of climate change—requiring cooperation between the world’s largest carbon emitters— offers a critical case of US-China cooperation in this competitive age. At the UN COP28 conference, they collaborated to finalize an agreement to assess states' progress in limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Both agreed to reduce methane emissions and plastic pollution; however, differences remain regarding the phase-out of fossil fuels. The US-China Working Group continues to promote sub-national cooperation, but strategic competition frequently obstructs its progress. For instance, China suspended climate cooperation after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s 2022 visit to Taiwan, and the US imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to protect its domestic industry. This article qualitatively analyses the impact of strategic competition on the unit-level case study of climate change, through a document review of each’s COP initiatives, bilateral agreements, working group proceedings, emissions data, and trade and economic competition. Ultimately, strategic competition, driven by mutual system-level threat perceptions, continues to constrain US-China cooperation on climate change, even though interests at the unit-level actually align.

Emissions Reduction and Canada’s New Defence Policy: Will Greaves (University of Victoria), Andrew Heffernan (University of Ottawa)
Abstract: Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) represent nearly 60 percent of the federal government’s total greenhouse gas emissions. This makes reducing defence emissions a necessity for Canada to reach its overall emissions reduction targets of 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. However, Canada’s newest defence policy includes numerous capital investments in carbon-intensive platforms including new submarines, fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, tactical helicopters, and surface combatant ships. As these capabilities come online, they will further undermine DND/CAF efforts to meet their emissions targets. Given the deteriorating international security environment, how can Canada reduce its defence-related emissions while increasing military operations? This paper explores the possibilities for DND/CAF to adopt a strategy to sequester carbon and enhance biodiversity on military-owned lands and adjacent Crown lands and coastal waters across Canada as a complement to emissions reduction efforts.

Canada and the Contemporary Geopolitics of Strategic Minerals and Their Supply Chains: J. Andrew Grant (Queen's University), Olivia Howells (Queen's University), Benjamin Ofosu-Atuahene (Queen's University), Olusola Ogunnubi (Queen's University)
Abstract: The alignment of clean energy sources and strategic minerals is featured prominently in Canada’s 2022 “Critical Minerals Strategy” and will be a major theme when Canada hosts the G-7 meetings in 2025. Concomitantly, the rapid acceleration of climate change has positioned strategic minerals (rare earths and critical minerals) at the center of global competition. These valuable mineral resources have gained geopolitical importance due to their vital role in the manufacturing of aerospace, defence, magnet, electronic, and clean energy components. Canada – as well as China, the United States, Australia, and several African countries – are home to significant reserves of strategic minerals and could benefit greatly from the mining and processing of such minerals. To actualize these benefits, however, they need to strengthen the quality of governance in the supply chains of strategic minerals (e.g., transparency and inclusiveness; responsiveness and accountability; corporate social responsibility [CSR] and environmental, social, and governance [ESG] considerations; public and private security; global governance / regional governance / local governance / Indigenous governance; sustainable development and the environment). Based on analyses of our recently-collected primary sources (in-person interviews, participant observations, primary document analysis), the paper’s contribution is two-fold. First, it offers insights on how to best address these interconnected policy challenges while navigating the contours of strategic mineral supply chains within the contemporary geopolitical landscape. Second, the paper examines the implications of the current geopolitics of strategic minerals for International Relations theory by focusing on the strategies and interactions of state and non-state actors.

The Geopolitics of Quantum Sensors, Security, and the Mitigation of Climate Change in the Arctic and High North: Kristen Csenkey (Centre for International Governance Innovation)
Abstract: Quantum technologies use quantum behaviour to increase the speed and efficiency of classical computing and existing technologies. Many experts have been calling for greater investment in quantum technologies and increasing cooperative efforts aimed at improving quantum security frameworks to solve global challenges. This chapter explores how such interventions have been envisioned and implemented by their proponents. Focus is placed on quantum sensing technologies and their association with addressing climate change and environmental issues among cooperating allied states. This chapter provides a content analysis of national policies and strategies among North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. The purpose of this analysis is to systematically establish the trajectories for the application of quantum sensing technologies and their association with the concepts of security in the Arctic and High North and with climate change mitigation strategies. The results point to a demand for the development of quantum technology across many states. This demand is challenged by the lack of specific technology-focused applications combined with the absence of any overarching governance frameworks to guide the implementation of such technology to ensure security in the Arctic and High North—and, to an extent, the security of NATO—through state cooperation toward the common goal of climate change abatement. I conclude there is an opening for collective governance mechanisms to intervene in the development of quantum security frameworks to address global challenges, especially climate change.