POLICY & FINANCE | GREEN RIBBON PANEL REPORT
Sure and steady to win Canada’s nuclear race
Nuclear technology could provide Canada with multiple economic and climate benefits if, a new report from Canada’s Green Ribbon Panel argues, the country’s leaders can stay the course
By Jacquie Hoornweg, President, Joule Communications
FAVOURABLE GOVERNMENT NUCLEAR POLICY AND investment, heightened private sector interest, and industry performance are having a positive effect on Canada’s ability to support its climate and economic goals, a new report says. However, the May 2024 release by Canada’s Green Ribbon Panel (GRP) also suggests safe hands need to remain on the tiller to deliver on this promise. In February 2020, the Green Ribbon Panel of leaders
from industry, business, labour, environment and health released its first report, informed by objectives that integrated climate and economic goals. It identified that climate change must be the foundation for action and that, at the same time, low-carbon emission energy presents a competitive national advantage. The report also noted enabling policy frameworks, with participation from all levels of government and inclusion of public-private partnerships, would be necessary to fully achieve the country’s energy transition goals. The report identified Ontario’s nuclear industry,
alongside other pillars like electrification, clean fuels and
storage, as central to Canada’s ability to “tackle climate change while ensuring economic growth.” It emphasised the value of optimisation and refurbishment of existing nuclear assets, as core to a national emission-reduction strategy. Four years later, following on from a 2022 report as well
as significant policy progress, in May 2024, the Panel’s newest release, ‘Preserving progress and maintaining momentum’ takes stock of what’s been accomplished and adds a view on crucial next steps.
Ontario: Ground zero for Canadian nuclear Unlike many countries with national electricity programmes, in Canada, responsibility falls to each of its 13 provinces and territories. Consequently, the country has a patchwork approach defined by each jurisdiction’s geography, natural resources, inter-ties, and public policy focus. This does not diminish the importance of the federal government, which holds critical broader policy, investment and regulatory levers and which can strongly influence technology feasibility.
Above: Pickering is one of three nuclear power stations in Canada which collectively deliver 13 GW of capacity Photo credit: Bob Hilscher/
Shutterstock.com
34 | June 2024 |
www.neimagazine.com
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