Summary
Details
- Canada
Climate impact analysis is mandatory for designated projects undergoing federal impact assessment.
Criteria:
Proponents must follow prescribed guidance when preparing impact statements.
Exceptions:
Projects not subject to federal impact assessment are excluded.
The depth of analysis is proportional to project scale and risk.
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What’s Required
Project proponents subject to federal impact assessment must:
Assess greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts associated with proposed projects.
Demonstrate alignment with Canada’s climate targets and mitigation pathways.
Identify mitigation measures and alternatives to reduce climate impacts.
Provide climate-related information as part of impact assessment documentation.
Important Deadlines
2019: The Strategic Assessment of Climate Change came into effect alongside the Impact Assessment Act and began applying to designated projects.
Ongoing (from 2019): Project proponents must include climate change and greenhouse gas emissions analysis in impact assessment documentation when a federal impact assessment is required.
At the project submission stage, Climate-related information must be provided with the Impact Statement, in line with SACC guidance.
During the assessment phase, Climate analysis is reviewed as part of the federal impact assessment process and may be subject to information requests or revisions.
Post-approval (if applicable): Compliance with climate-related conditions attached to project approvals is required for the life of the project.
Ongoing: SACC guidance is periodically updated to reflect evolving federal climate targets and policies.
Current Status
The Strategic Assessment is in force and applied through the Impact Assessment Act framework.
Guidance continues to evolve to reflect updated climate targets.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to meet assessment requirements can delay approvals or result in project rejection.
Non-compliance with approval conditions may trigger enforcement under federal law.
Examples of Known Violence
An energy infrastructure project must assess lifecycle emissions and mitigation options.
A mining project must demonstrate how emissions align with national climate objectives.
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