Our research publications

Building Consensus: What Works? The National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines the work of the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). The NRTEE was created by the government of Canada in 1988 to promote sustainable development that advanced environmental and economic interests simultaneously using policy research and directly advising the government. This analysis assesses how the NRTEE in its 25-year history addressed conflict in the energy arena, built consensus around energy and environmental issues, and which aspects of its institutional design and process contributed to those outcomes.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) in Canadian Energy Decision-Making

A new study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines and documents the current state of play and actions around equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in Canada’s energy community. Through the perceptions and views of energy and climate decision-makers, it identifies interpretations of EDI, initiatives, challenges, and opportunities.

Overcoming Limits to Consensus-Building on Energy and Climate: Toxic Partisanship, Us Versus Them, False Polarization

This Positive Energy study explores limits to consensus-building on energy and climate—specifically limits that flow from partisan politics. It identifies key drivers and events that have contributed to the polarization of certain energy and climate issues along partisan lines, and offers advice for decision-makers looking to navigate polarized contexts on the way to net zero by 2050.

Energy Project Decision Systems for Net Zero – Designing for Functionality, Adaptability and Legitimacy

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program explores the relationships within public energy decision systems, specifically between regulators with responsibilities for the approval of resource development and infrastructure, and other actors in energy decision-making in Canada. 

Unbuilt and Built LNG Projects – Who Decides and How?

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines the difference between final investment decisions in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sectors in Western Australia, the world’s second largest exporter, and British Columbia, with only one project under construction. 

The Expanded Role of the Federal Cabinet in Pipeline Projects

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines cabinet’s review of the 2021 NGTL System Expansion Project following recommendations from the Canada Energy Regulator.

Energy-Environment Federalism in Canada: Finding a Path for the Future

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines the constitutional arrangements and the economic and political interests that govern Canada’s energy-environment policy. It explores its historical challenges and discusses what makes cooperation on these issues so difficult.

Policymakers, Regulators and Courts – Who Decides What, When and How? The Evolution of Regulatory Independence

This discussion paper, authored by Positive Energy Executive-in-Residence Mike Cleland and Research Associate Ian T.D. Thomson, with Positive Energy Chair Professor Monica Gattinger, builds on Positive Energy's ongoing research and engagement concerning public authorities by taking a granular look at the concept of regulatory independence. 

A Literature Review on Regulatory Independence in Canada's Energy Systems: Origins, Rationale and Key Features (PDF, 3.2MB)

This literature review, authored by Positive Energy Research Associate Ian T.D. Thomson, explores the scholarly literature on regulatory independence in Canada’s energy systems, while also assessing the rationale for regulatory independence and examining the evolution of independence in Canada’s regulatory system.

Sun, wind or water? Public support for large-scale renewable energy development in Canada 

The study, co-authored by Positive Energy research team members James Donald (University of Victoria) and Bryson Robertson (Oregon State University) together with their colleagues John Axsen (Simon Fraser University) and Karena Shaw (University of Victoria), explores levels of public support for renewable energy technologies across Canada and identifies some of the factors that influence individuals’ attitudes.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage - Polarization, public confidence and decision-making

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program offers several crucial, concrete actions that governments and stakeholders can take to address public confidence in CCUS and leverage Canada’s competitive advantage in this space.

What is ‘Transition’? The Two Realities of Energy and Environmental Leaders in Canada

Decision-makers in the energy and environmental communities occupy two separate realities over energy transition in Canada. The report’s lead author, Positive Energy researcher Dr. Marisa Beck, uncovered the two realities by asking over 40 energy and environmental leaders about their use and interpretation of the term “transition”.

A Literature Review on Polarization and on Energy and Climate Policy in Canada (PDF, 654KB)

This review, authored by Positive Energy Doctoral Candidate Rafael Aguirre, explores scholarly literature on polarization as a general phenomenon, as well as the state of knowledge over its extent and nature in the energy and environmental domain.

Canada's Energy Future in an Age of Climate Change (PDF, 2.3MB)

This report unpacks the core challenges and opportunities when it comes to building confidence in public authorities making decisions about Canada’s energy future in an age of climate change. The study also describes Positive Energy's research and engagement program for the next three years.

Building Consensus: What Works? The National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines the work of the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). The NRTEE was created by the government of Canada in 1988 to promote sustainable development that advanced environmental and economic interests simultaneously using policy research and directly advising the government. This analysis assesses how the NRTEE in its 25-year history addressed conflict in the energy arena, built consensus around energy and environmental issues, and which aspects of its institutional design and process contributed to those outcomes.

Building Consensus: What Works? Case Study: Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission

This study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines the work of the Ecofiscal Commission, an organization that aimed to depoliticize the debate about carbon pricing in Canada by using one specific tool: infusing the debate with non-partisan, academically rigorous research and evidence.

Roles and Responsibilities: What Works? Identifying and scaling up successful innovations in Canadian energy regulatory decision making

A new collaborative project between Positive Energy and Canada's Energy and Utility Regulators (CAMPUT) aims to identify innovative approaches and success factors in energy regulatory decision-making in an age of climate change.

Addressing Polarization: What Works? The Just Transition Task Force

What aspects of Canada’s Just Transition Task Force may have been helpful to depolarizing Canada’s phase-out of coal power? Authored by Positive Energy Senior Research Associate Brendan Frank and uOttawa Ph.D. candidate Sébastien Girard Lindsay, this report is the second of five case studies of initiatives to reduce polarization over energy and climate issues in Canada.

Addressing Polarization: What Works? The Alberta Climate Leadership Plan

There is more bipartisan and expert consensus on climate policy in Alberta than commonly believed. This report, led by Positive Energy Faculty Affiliate Professor Duane Bratt, is the first of five upcoming case studies that focus on initiatives to reduce polarization over energy and climate issues in Canada.

• Durable balance (PDF, 2.7MB)
• How to decide (PDF, 1MB)
• Energy decisions-making (PDF, 3MB)
• Who decides (PDF, 1.2MB)
• System under stress (PDF, 2.2MB)
• Building public confidence (PDF, 9.9MB)

• A matter of trust: The role of communities in energy decision-making (PDF, 2.7MB)
• Case study: Western Alberta Transmission Line (PDF, 2.1MB)
• Case study: Shale Gas Exploration (PDF, 2.2MB)
• Case study: Northern Gateway Energy Pipeline (PDF, 2.1MB)
• Case study: Wuskwatim Hydroelectric Facility (PDF, 1.8MB)
• Case study: Gas-fired Power Facilities (PDF, 1.8MB)
• Case study: Wind Farm (PDF, 3.7MB)
• Fair enough: Assessing community confidence in energy authorities (PDF, 3.4MB)
• Literature Review of the dimensions of social acceptance for energy development and the role of trust (PDF, 384KB)

Majority of Canadians are concerned about energy prices for things like heating and transportation over the next six months

The research gauged the opinions among Canadians on accuracy of statements related to a low carbon economy and climate policy, concern for energy prices, and the job done by governments in Canada on ensuring energy affordability and security. Canadians were also asked about their views on the best time to address climate change.

Views of Canadians on energy, climate change, and the job done by the Government in Canada

Research by Positive Energy and Nanos Research gauged the opinions among Canadians on the job done by governments in Canada on meeting climate change targets, ensuring energy affordability and security, and balancing Canada’s economic, environmental and energy objectives. Canadians were also asked about their views on the best time to address climate, the level of agreement on climate action in Canada, Canada’s credibility on the international stage when it comes to environmental policies, and where Canada should be on meeting its climate change targets compared to other major economies.

Appetite to meet climate commitments continues to rise; Canada's credibility on the international stage when it comes to environmental policies on climate change improves from low to average since 2015

New survey results from Positive Energy and Nanos Research evaluate Canadians' appetite to meet established climate commitments, whether it is the right time for Canada to be ambitious in addressing climate change and drivers of views on timing to address climate change. It also evaluates Canada's international credibility on environmental policies.

Canadians rate level of agreement on energy and climate issues

New survey results from Positive Energy and Nanos Research evaluate how Canadians perceive the level of public consensus on a number of climate and energy issues. The survey asks Canadians about the current level of agreement on these issues, as well as the level of agreement relative to five years ago.

Urgency to act on climate change surging, but public confidence is weak

New survey results from Positive Energy and Nanos Research continue to track whether Canadians think it is a good time or a bad time to be ambitious in addressing climate change, and also exploring key questions related to public confidence in energy decision-making and Canada’s ability to act on climate.

Level of trust in the courts to decide on disputes for energy projects and climate change disputes not strong

New survey results from Positive Energy and Nanos Research shows that a large segment of the Canadian public does not trust the courts to settle disputes over energy projects or climate policy.

Climate ambition steady: Urgency to act now trending up

New survey results from Positive Energy and Nanos Research suggest Canadians’ climate ambition is holding steady during pandemic, but the sense of urgency to act appears to be trending up. This survey also asks Canadians how much they trust information about climate change from peer-reviewed science / researchers, traditional news media, NGOs, government agencies, politicians, industry and social media.

Polarization over Energy and Climate in Canada: Canada's Climate Performance, Renewables, Nuclear, Community Roles

New survey analysis by Positive Energy focuses on three issues that matter for Canada’s energy future in an age of climate change: the country’s climate performance; the present and future of renewables and nuclear energy; and the role that local communities should play in energy infrastructure projects. 

Climate change ambition on the rise

How ambitious are Canadians' about addressing climate change in the context ofCOVID-19? What are their views on oil and gas during the pandemic? A new round of survey work from Positive Energy and Nanos Research suggests that a growing percentage of Canadians say this is a good rather than a bad time to be ambitious about climate change.

Polarization over Energy and Climate in Canada: Oil and Gas

New survey analysis from Positive Energy examines Canadians ’views on the role of oil and gas in Canada’s current and future economy, and the respective roles of federal and provincial governments in the country’s energy and climate future.

COVID-19 puts Canadians at the fulcrum of environment and economy

How do Canadians view the trade-offs between economic recovery and addressing climate change in an age of COVID-19? New survey work from Positive Energy and Nanos Research suggests that Canadians are still likelier to say this is the best rather than the worst time to be ambitious about climate change.

December 2019 – Polarization over Energy and Climate in Canada: Survey Results

Positive Energy released survey results, examining a range of issues pivotal to Canada’s energy future in an age of climate change. This novel survey will measure polarization on climate and energy issues across Canada on an ongoing basis. The survey was conducted by Positive Energy researchers Stephen Bird and Erick Lachapelle. The results arrive amidst growing concerns over polarization following the 2019 federal election.

October 2019 – Majority of participants say energy discourse in Canada has become more polarized in past eighteen months

In 2015, Nanos with Positive Energy at University of Ottawa designed and implemented the Energy and Environmental Leaders Panel, which brings together university experts and key decision-makers from industry, government, Indigenous communities, local communities and environmental organizations to share their thoughts on Canada’s energy future in an age of climate change.

September 2019 – Canadians still twice as likely to say Canada is doing a poor rather than good job on energy issues

Nanos and Positive Energy has tested polarization on a number of issues related to both Canada’s performance on energy and environmental issues, as well as agreement with energy and environmental policy positions. The trends show a potential emerging consensus on most issues, with polarization being greater around issues that involve economic and energy price trade-offs.

April 2018 – A majority of Canadians think it is possible or somewhat possible for Canada to develop its energy resources while protecting the environment

A majority of Canadians feel it is possible or somewhat possible for Canada to protect the environment while developing energy resources, while a comfortable majority also feel that protecting the environment should be given priority even if it leads to slower economic growth. Overall Canadians say Canada does a poor or very poor job at a number of policies and issues related to energy in Canada, such as balancing the concerns of local communities and building public confidence in energy projects

January 2018 – Energy and environmental leaders agree or somewhat agree that Canada needs to better manage cumulative project effects on communities

The majority of participating energy and environmental leaders agree or somewhat agree that Canada needs to better manage the cumulative effects of projects on local and indigenous communities, and that the ‘final say’ on projects crossing multiple communities should rest in the hands of federal or provincial/territorial governments.

October 2017 – Canadians more negative than positive about energy decision-making

When asked about Canada’s energy performance in terms of building public confidence in decision-making, balancing concerns of communities, developing a long-term shared vision and providing a clear policy and regulatory environment for investors,  Canadians were more likely to say that Canada is doing a poor or very poor job.

October 2015 – Canadians’ Views on Canada’s Energy Future

Overall Canadians generally believe that it is possible to develop resources while protecting the environment and are supportive of investments in the renewable energy sector. They also clearly expect the federal government to take the lead and think the national interest is more important than local, provincial or Aboriginal views.

March 2015 – Canadians hopeful on energy development but want the environment to trump jobs

A national survey by Nanos Research commissioned for the Positive Energy Conference held in Ottawa, organized jointly by the Ivey Business School and the University of Ottawa on March 4-5, 2015 suggests that Canadians see a path forward that can reconcile environmental and energy priorities but want more federal leadership.