Workshop 1 - Environmental Politics (Presented by the Law And Public Policy Section)

W113 - Workshop 1 - Environmental Politics: Climate and Environmental Justice

Date: Jun 4 | Time: 01:45pm to 03:15pm | Location:

Chair/Président/Présidente : Caleb Duffield (McMaster University)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Adrienne Davidson (McMaster University)

Public Power or Powered Public? Assessing Democracy and Decarbonization in Canada’s Electricity Sector: Amy Janzwood (McGill University), Julie MacArthur (Royal Roads University), Heather Millar (University of New Brunswick)
Abstract: Electricity utility ownership in Canada reflects a patchwork of governance, each province with a distinct and unique profile reflecting a blend of public, private and municipal or community ownership. However, unlike the U.S., where nearly three-quarters of Americans are served by private Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), public ownership plays a significantly larger role in Canada, where provincially owned utilities dominate generation, retail, and transmission in seven of the ten provinces (EIA 2019; FNMPC 2024). Much of the energy democracy literature emphasizes expanding public ownership or remunicipalizing assets. In the Canadian context, where large-scale public ownership prevails, the democratic role of these utilities remains under-examined. While there is robust literature highlighting the range of challenges that have emerged from colonial practices of land seizures perpetrated by the crown and their agents (Alfred 2009), there is much less work examining the processes of democratic enclosure or expansion working within public utilities. Another mechanism through which energy democratization has been theorized to emerge is the development of local energy communities, for example, through the development of energy co-operatives. In Canadian provinces already dominated by centralized public utilities, this raises a further conflict as to the distributive and democratic impacts of opening up power markets to new community-owned Independent Power Producers. Drawing on case studies, document analysis, and key informant interviews, this paper examines the role of Canada's public electricity utilities in the context of energy democracy and decarbonization and evaluates the potential for a more just energy transition.

Equity and Diversity in BC Climate Policy: A Thematic Analysis of Policy Design Intensity: Julie MacArthur (Royal Roads University), Katharina Koch (University of Calgary), Herlinda Quispe-Magellan (University of Calgary), Ruba Khan (University of Calgary)
Abstract: Amidst the growing urgency to mitigate the effects of climate change, ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in climate policy has become critical as historically marginalized and vulnerable populations bear the burdens of its impacts (Koski & Manson, 2024). While existing literature highlights the distributional impacts of climate mitigation policies (Tapia et al., 2023), far less work has been done to bring these insights together with policy design scholarship: including target populations, policy intensity, and effective tool selection (Schneider & Ingram, 1993; Kortetmäki & Järvelä, 2021; Sewerin et al., 2023; Schaffrin et al., 2015). Drawing from data from the Canadian Climate Policy Inventory developed by the Canadian Climate Policy Partnership (C2P2) (Winter et al 2024), this study employs a qualitative content analysis methodology to the inventory policies and answers the question: where are the equity-deserving groups (EDGs) in BC climate policy? How are they integrated into policy designs - as consulted populations, as policy targets, and if so, how? Online searches for 57 BC climate policies were conducted and coded for the specific EDGs mentioned as well as how and where these mentions occurred based on our newly developed index of inclusiveness intensity. The findings from our paper contribute to more inclusive policy design literature and and more robust analysis of Canadian climate policy inclusiveness.

A CARE Assembly: Co-Creating Equity-Informed Emergency Planning and Policy with Affected Communities through Design Justice in British Columbia: Sarah Marie Wiebe (University of Victoria), Erin Nuckols (University of Victoria)
Abstract: Floods, droughts, storms, and heat waves are all on the rise as extreme weather events due to climate change are becoming commonplace. Such crises have caught many governments off-guard, resulting in significant negative policy outcomes. Through a mixed methods study this study asks: what barriers prevent access to public space for vulnerable communities during extreme weather events and how can they be addressed? This study connects the stories and lived-experiences of B.C. community leaders (i.e. Emergency Coordinators) to policy-makers and policy-making processes through an intersectional policy lens and engagement with scholarship on the politics of care and design justice (Costanza-Chock 2020; Hankivsky & Jordan-Zachery, 2019; Hoogeveen et al., 2021; Tronto, 2013). The results of this research were gathered through a collaborative design and policy implementation process (Costanza-Chock 2020; Hadorn 2024). We suggest that the connection between those with relevant lived-experiences and policy-makers can advance the scholarship and practice of “radical policy futures” (Cattapan, 2020). Specifically, the co-authors explain how CARE Assemblies (Community Actions and Responses to Extreme weather events) can hold space for the co-creation of policy-oriented outputs for decision-making, positioning the policy-makers as ‘policy listeners.’ A CARE Assembly can be understood as a “mini-public,” a space for democratic deliberation that directly engages the voices, perspectives, and knowledges of those most directly affected by a particular policy problem (Fung, 2007). This design justice-informed research aims to support governing bodies and service providers to better understand the lived-experiences of extreme weather events and design better policies and programs to help vulnerable residents prepare for, respond to and recover from these events.

Language and the Power of Pedagogy: Indigenous worldviews and Environmental Politics: Evangeline Kroon (York University), Dennis Pilon (York University)
Abstract: On the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan People, the nsyilxcn word for water is Siwɬkw. The (siw) comes from siwst – to drink (human), and the (ɬkw) comes from ɬkwitkw to lap (animal). Together the two parts identify the syilx ethic that the right to water is equal for animals and humans. The idea of collaboration is embedded into their very language, showing us the power of language to decenter the human. Politics, as we study them today, are incredibly anthropocentric and westernized, limiting our ability to address pressing contemporary issues such as environmental crisis and unchecked economic growth. By indigenizing our discipline and decentering ourselves in the field of environmental politics, we find new ways forward. This introduction to a different way of seeing can begin in the classroom. Engaging with the theme of reframing togetherness I argue that we must approach pedagogy with the Mi’kmaq mindset of two-eyed seeing, “one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing and from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing” (Bartlett, Marshall, & Marshall, 2012: 355). It is only with both eyes open can we engage with the environmental conflicts that will shape our future word.

Local Government Responses to Climate Change in High-Risk Areas: A Case Study from Sylhet, Bangladesh: MD MOYNUL HOQUE (Islamic foundation Bangladesh), MD MASUK  AHMAD (Islamic foundation Bangladesh)
Abstract: Abstract: With climate change increasingly affecting high-risk areas, local governments must adopt flexible and effective policies to mitigate its adverse impacts. This paper explores the strategies implemented by local governments in Sylhet, Bangladesh, a region that is highly vulnerable to frequent floods and irregular rainfall. The central question guiding this research is: How do local governments adapt their policies to manage and reduce the risks associated with climate change? To answer this question, we utilize a mixed-methods approach that examines a variety of data sources, including policy documents, interviews with local leaders, and empirical data on the environmental and economic conditions specific to Sylhet. By drawing from theories of adaptive governance and community resilience, this study effectively combines qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive view of the impacts of these policies on both local communities and ecosystems. Our preliminary results indicate that regions exhibiting strong local governance and active community involvement demonstrate greater adaptability to climate-related risks. This adaptability is evident in the increased environmental resilience and stability of the communities within these regions. However, the study also highlights that limited financial and material resources, as well as inconsistent application of policies, remain significant obstacles to effective response efforts in Sylhet. The findings of this research contribute significantly to our understanding of how local governments can develop targeted approaches to enhance resilience in vulnerable areas affected by climate change. By examining the dynamics of local governance and community engagement, this study identifies best practices and strategic interventions that can be adopted to improve adaptive capacity in similar contexts. Moreover, the study offers practical recommendations for policymakers aiming to enhance resilience, including the importance of fostering community participation, increasing funding for climate adaptation projects, and ensuring the consistent implementation of policies. These recommendations are critical in shaping future research directions and informing effective policy-making in response to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change in high-risk regions. Ultimately, this research not only sheds light on the local governance mechanisms in Sylhet but also serves as a valuable resource for other regions facing similar environmental challenges. The insights gained from this study can assist in developing adaptive policies that not only respond to current climate risks but also anticipate future challenges, thereby ensuring the sustainability and resilience of vulnerable communities. Keywords: Climate change, local governance, adaptive policy, Sylhet, high-risk areas, community resilience