Energy
Legislative Resources
Climate Change, Energy, and Green Economy Strategy
Yukon Conservation Society provided a total of 29 recommendations to Yukon government during the public consultation in the fall of 2018. Our complete submission can be found below. We will continue to engage on the development of this strategy as it will significantly influence the scale and efficacy of Yukon government's future climate policies and actions. The completed strategy, titled Our Clean Future was released in 2020 and can also be accessed below.
Some of our key recommendations to Yukon government included:
1. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Commit to reducing territory-wide GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Monitor GHG reduction efforts of leading jurisdictions around the world, and commit to being a global leader
2. Set Measurable targets
Set measurable targets for GHG reductions within Yukon government’s operations to match or exceed the territorial goals stated in Recommendation 1
3. Require Clean Energy Infrastructure in Yukon’s Mining Sector
Require all new mines to contribute new clean energy infrastructure to Yukon or finance energy efficiency and conservation initiatives that have lifetime GHG emissions reductions equal to the mine’s lifetime emissions
4. Commit to Landscape-scale Conservation Planning
Commit to landscape-scale conservation planning to guide human development toward an ecologically sustainable green economy
5. Recognize Ecosystem Services as Part of Green Economy
Commit to recognizing ecosystem services as critical aspects of a green economy. An example is the water treatment and carbon sequestration provided by wetlands
6. Support the Zero-Waste Transition and the Circular Economy
Support Yukon’s shift to a zero-waste, circular economy through education programs and incentives for people and industry to reduce waste
YCS' comments on the initial consultation for the Government of Yukon's Climate Change, Energy and Green Economy Strategy in 2018.
This strategy outlines the actions that the "Government of Yukon will take to address the impacts of climate change while building a green economy and ensuring Yukoners can access reliable, affordable and renewable energy. Includes targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience to the impacts of climate change." Learn more: https://yukon.ca/en/our-clean-future
Carbon Pricing
YCS supports carbon pricing as a mechanism to reduce carbon emissions. Carbon pricing is consistent with the “polluter pays” principle and should be applied fairly, without exemptions for major emitters or certain industries. We are happy to see carbon pricing being implemented across Canada, though we do have some concerns about the rebate design developed by Yukon government.
Some key concerns include:
1. Mining Exemptions
All placer and some quartz mining operations will get a 100%, dollar-for-dollar rebate.
2. Ineligibility of Non-Profits & Charities
This removes the incentive for them to reduce emissions. Charities and non-profit organizations are not eligible for a carbon rebate.
Read our position on carbon pricing from 2017 and our comments on Yukon Government’s 2019 Carbon Price Rebate Framework below.
Renewables
Renewable energy systems such as biomass, solar and hydro are growing in the Yukon. Over the years, YCS has offered expert opinion on the government's proposed strategies and plans for the renewable energy sector. Below are some resources, which include our comments as part of the Yukon Energy Corporation’s Technical Advisory Committee on the Government’s Integrated Resource Planning process as well as our comments on the Yukon Development Corporations’ Next Generation Hydro response.
YCS sees great potential for biomass heating units to work with electric heating units where one acts as a backup for the other. This is the ultimate achievement in replacing imported fossil fuels with local renewable resources, and should be actively explored and implemented. In 2015, we commented on the Yukon’s draft Biomass Energy Strategy. The document contains some interesting background and commentary on using biomass in the Yukon, which is relevant today.
YCS participated as a member of Yukon Energy Corporation's Technical Advisory Committee during the Integrated Resource Planning process, and submitted extensive comments on the draft IRP. More on the IRP can be found here: http://resourceplan.yukonenergy.ca/
YCS participated in a stakeholder interview for the Yukon Development Corporation's Next Generation Strategy in 2015.
Yukon Development Corporation initiated the Next Generation Hydro process to investigate large hydroelectric dam options for the Yukon. This is YCS' position.