Finding the Way to Zero
Final report of Climate Action Network Canada’s 2021 workshop series on net-zero
This report captures the outcomes of a series of virtual workshops on the implications of net-zero in Canada. The workshops were held in 2021 by Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada and included approximately 30 civil society groups. Themes covered included net-zero scenarios and pathways, carbon removal, energy transition and the role of different energy sources, and carbon offsets.
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In summer 2021, Climate Action Network Canada held workshops to open dialogues and spark conversations among civil society groups on the implications of net-zero in Canada.
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Achieving net-zero in Canada is not only a technical challenge but also a moral and ethical one. Canada's climate action must adhere to principles of social justice, equity, and inclusion.
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Canadian civil society groups want to see clear boundaries for the "net" in net-zero to ensure Canada reaches and exceeds its climate targets.
In summer 2021, Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) held a series of workshops to open dialogues and spark conversations among civil society groups (CAN-Rac members and allies) on the implications of net-zero in Canada. IISD was invited to report on the outcomes from the workshops on behalf of CAN-Rac.
Overall, five major discussion topics emerged from the workshops:
- Energy transition, energy mix, and fossil fuel phase-out
- Establishing boundaries for the “net” in “net zero”
- Decision making for pathway choices and priorities
- Climate and environmental justice
- Incremental change versus systems change.
A primary objective of these workshops was to identify areas of clear agreement to inform approaches to net-zero that CAN-Rac (and its members and allies) can uphold and advocate for in the coming months and years. The workshops helped identify potential new shared principles to respond to rapidly evolving conversations on net-zero domestically and internationally. Participants discussed what policy asks could support these principles, and what future activities and research might be needed to support them.
By capturing these workshop discussions, this report aims to help set the groundwork for future net-zero conversations among CAN-Rac members and allies in Canada in the months and years ahead.
