
Green Economy Law Blog
EU Carbon Border Adjustment Begins Taking Effect
The first phase of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has taken effect. The new rules aim to ensure EU businesses are not disadvantaged by the bloc’s ambitious decarbonization efforts.
Explained: Ontario’s Greenbelt Scandal
Amidst embarrassing revelations of procedural irregularities and ethics violations, both Ontario’s Housing Minister and his Chief of Staff have resigned in quick succession, while the RCMP ponders launching a formal investigation into their conduct. We explain what happened in Ontario’s Greenbelt privation scandal and why.
Youth Climate Activists Win Montana Lawsuit
Montana youth climate activists’ recent legal victory against pro-fossil fuel state policies resulted in a narrow but consequential precedent for international climate jurisprudence.
Canada to Phase Out Certain Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Canada’s federal government has proposed a framework policy to phase out certain “inefficient” fossil fuel industry subsidies.
Canada Launches National Climate Adaptation Strategy
On June 27, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the launch of its National Adaptation Strategy, set out in a framework plan which identifies various goals and focus areas for future climate adaptation-related policies and investments.
Canada Introduces Sustainable Jobs Bill
The proposed Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act seeks to establish a framework by which Canada’s government will plan for and assist the national workforce in transitioning to a new, more sustainable economy.
Canada Legislates Right to a Healthy Environment
Canada’s parliament is in the final staging of passing updates to Canada’s principal environmental law, including legal recognition of a right to a healthy environment.
EPA Proposes New Power Plant Emission Standards Rule
The rule may require coal and gas-fired power plants, both new and old, to use carbon and capture sequestration and hydrogen-fueled generation technologies to reduce emissions and achieve an up-to 90% CO2 capture rate by 2035 (for natural gas plants) or 2040 (for existing coal plants scheduled to operate past that date).
Ontario Superior Court Dismisses Youth Climate Action Climate Case
On April 14th, Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice dismissed the climate action case Mathur v. Ontario, in which seven youth plaintiffs alleged that Ontario’s lacklustre 2018 climate plan, adopted following Doug Ford’s election to premier, violates the Charter rights of today’s youth and future generations.
Nations Sign "Landmark" Biodiversity Treaty at Montreal COP15
Roughly 190 nations at COP15 in Montreal adopted a “landmark” treaty to conserve at least 30% of Earth’s lands and oceans, halve global food waste, and mobilize $200 billion per year in biodiversity-related funding from public and private sources by 2030.