Integrating Climate Change into EA: Thoughts on Federal Law Reform

Abstract

This paper explores how climate change can be more effectively integrated into environmental assessment processes. The paper's focus is on three key steps in environmental assessments, i. triggering and assessment, ii. the scope of information gathering and assessment, and iii. decision making. The paper concludes that climate policies in line with international commitments, strategic assessments of all key sectors that contribute to GHG emissions, and clear standards and criteria for assessments and decision making are critical for EA to become an effective policy tool for climate change.

Keywords: climate change, environmental assessment, Paris Climate Agreement, Canada