Sat Sep 07 11:38:00 UTC 2024: ## Canada’s Energy Policies Offer Lessons for Climate Action: Exclusive Interview with Former Chief of Staff

**Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada** – As the world grapples with climate change and energy transitions, Canada’s approach to energy policy offers valuable insights. Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, shared key learnings in an exclusive interview on Electric Ladies Podcast.

Seaborn highlights Canada’s adoption of many components of the US’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, including significant investment tax credits for clean hydrogen, carbon capture, clean technology manufacturing, and clean electricity. Canada’s focus on grant programs initially led to a slower pace of implementation compared to the US, but the IRA’s success spurred Canada to accelerate its own progress.

A key difference between the US and Canada lies in carbon pricing. Canada has a national carbon pricing system, setting a minimum standard for retail fuels and industrial emissions. This system, coupled with provincial initiatives like Quebec’s cap-and-trade scheme, demonstrates Canada’s commitment to tackling emissions.

Seaborn emphasizes Canada’s leadership in phasing out coal. Ontario, the most populous province, eliminated coal power in 2014, followed by a national commitment to phasing out coal by 2030. Alberta recently closed its last coal plant, six years ahead of schedule, highlighting Canada’s progress in transitioning away from fossil fuels.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by communities reliant on coal, Seaborn believes that Canada’s leadership on coal phase-out serves as a model for other countries. Over 50 countries have now pledged to phase out coal by 2030, demonstrating the global impact of Canada’s proactive approach.

With solar exceeding wind as the largest source of new generating capacity in Canada, the country’s energy policies offer valuable lessons for nations seeking to address climate change while ensuring affordable and reliable energy.

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