Rick Smith

For Canadians, decarbonization is a patriotic act Decarbonization is an act of patriotism. We need to deal with the clear threats posed by Trump in the short term, but at the same time we ...

Decarbonization around the world is accelerating, not slowing down. Read @rjcsmith.bsky.social’s latest on how building a cleaner, more competitive economy that is less dependent on the U.S. is an act of patriotism.
climateinstitute.ca/for-can...

La décarbonation, un acte de patriotisme La décarbonation et le drapeau du Canada vont main dans la main. La transition vers une économie plus propre est la ...

La décarbonation s’accélère à travers le monde. Lisez le dernier billet de blogue de @rjcsmith.bsky.social sur comment la construction d’une économie plus propre et plus compétitive qui dépend moins des États-Unis est un acte de patriotisme.
institutclimatique.ca/decarbonisat...

For Canadians, decarbonization is a patriotic act OPINION | Canada must leapfrog the United States to ensure our economy prospers with the next wave of climate action

“Doing everything we can to decarbonize Canada isn’t just something we’re doing to reduce emissions. It’s a contribution to a better future for our country.”

Read @rjcsmith.bsky.social’s latest piece on the latest US aggression, Canadian patriotism and climate policy.
corporateknights.com/perspe...

Clean energy continues to break records across Europe ⬇️

Trump calls out Carney, says Canada ‘lives because of the United States’ in Davos speech President renews his demand for Denmark to allow the U.S. to annex Greenland, but says he won’t use military force

Unkind thought by angry Canadian: at this rate Canada will actually outlive the United States www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...

2026 will likely be among the hottest on record: Environment Canada | CBC News Environment and Climate Change Canada released a new global forecast indicating that 2026 will likely be among the four hottest years on record.

New analysis projects that 2026 is "virtually certain" to be among the hottest years ever recorded—an important reminder of the urgent need to build a cleaner, more resilient economy. 📈
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Inadequate, energy-inefficient housing for Indigenous people can have serious health impacts and long-term costs.

Our latest report with Indigenous Clean Energy shows how govts can work together and with communities to find solutions. 👇
climateinstitute.ca/reports/heal...

NEW – Analysis: UK renewables enjoy record year in 2025 – but gas power still rises

✍️ by @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and Ho Woo Nam

Read here ➡️ buff.ly/YTa31NF

EU’s new ‘green tariff’ rules on high-carbon goods come into force The ‘border adjustment mechanism’ aims to create a level playing field while also encouraging decarbonisation

"The biggest shake-up of green trade rules for decades comes into force today, as companies selling steel, cement and other high-carbon goods into the EU will have to prove they comply with low-carbon regulations or face fines."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Huge congrats to all these fantastic Canadians but in particular my hard-working friend @ziyatong.bsky.social ! So well deserved! www.gg.ca/en/appointme...

People Who Drink Bottled Water on a Daily Basis Ingest 90,000 More Microplastic Particles Each Year Drinking water in plastic bottles contains countless particles too small to see. New research finds that people who drink water from them on a daily basis ingest far more microplastics than those who ...

I wrote a book about the problems with bottled water ("Bottled and Sold") several years ago. Here's just another reason to avoid it.
www.wired.com/story/people...

2025 was defined by uncertainty on climate policy in Canada that needs quick resolution | Corporate Knights OPINION | There were some wins but when it comes to concrete actions to protect people and communities across Canada, much is left wanting

The past year was a whirlwind when it came to climate policy.

Read @rjcsmith.bsky.social's year-end wrap up and look-ahead to 2026.👇

"The problems we face are urgent, but the solutions are right in front of us."
corporateknights.com/perspectives...

Ottawa names expert coalition to roll out stalled green investing guide Canadian Climate Institute to lead development of climate-focused investing taxonomy along with investor-led organization Business Future Pathways

“If you look at the list of trading partners of Canada outside of the U.S., almost all of them have national taxonomies, either fully developed or developing. So, it becomes a question of market access and access to capital in the energy transition." 👇
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

Developing Canada’s Sustainable Investment Guidelines - Canadian Climate Institute BACKGROUNDER Overview In December 2025, the federal government announced two years of seed funding to develop Canada’s sustainable investment guidelines, commonly referred to as a sustainable finance ...

The Canadian Climate Institute is honoured to be selected to develop made-in-Canada sustainable investment guidelines, working with Business Future Pathways, to help mobilize private capital and make Canada more competitive in the global energy transition. ⬇️ climateinstitute.ca/news/develop...

Canada’s new oil and gas methane rules are a cost-effective policy win that’s long overdue - Canadian Climate Institute Reducing methane in the oil and gas sector is one of the cheapest ways to cut emissions and supports Canadian companies leading the charge.

Canada’s finalized methane regulations for the oil and gas sector are a cost-effective policy win that’s long overdue. Read our full statement ⬇️
climateinstitute.ca/news/canadas...

Batteries now cheap enough to make dispatchable solar economically feasible Energy think tank Ember says utility-scale battery costs have fallen to $65/MWh outside China and the United States, enabling solar power to be delivered when needed.

This is incredible (good news too): “After a 40% fall in 2024 in battery equipment costs, it’s clear we’re on track for another major fall in 2025…The economics for batteries are unrecognizable, & the industry is only just getting to grips with this new paradigm”
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/12/b...

Those tree hugging hippies in Hungary now lead the world in the share of electricity generated from solar with almost 25% of their electricity coming from solar in 2024.

A remarkable leap from just 7% five years ago.

Grid-scale batteries improve reliability and cut costs, but Canada has been slow to respond Let’s dig into some of the factors driving the battery boom, and how Canada can use them to its advantage.

Grid-scale battery storage is expected to attract US$66 billion of investment this year. Here’s how Canada can leverage batteries to cut costs and improve the grid.
climateinstitute.ca/grid-scale-b...

EU strikes deal on climate target to cut emissions by 90% by 2040 The European Union agreed on Wednesday to set a legally binding climate target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040, and buy foreign carbon credits to cover 5% of the emi...

📢 The European Union just finalized its legally binding target to cut climate pollution 90% by 2040 from 1990 levels.📉⬇️
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

Refuel - Public Policy Forum In partnership with the Canadian Chamber Future of Business Centre Executive Summary Would expanding Canadian exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), heavy and light oil raise or lower global greenhou...

A new report on Canadian LNG and oil exports rests on highly questionable assumptions about the global emissions impacts of these fuels and lacks transparency on the modelling inputs used. Here’s a brief explainer 🧵⬇️
ppforum.ca/publications...

The shift to EVs is happening—fast. Manufacturers can either embrace the long-term transition or chase short-term gains by clinging to petrol and diesel.

China is choosing the long view. Many in Europe aren’t. The risk? Ending up with cars no one wants, lost market share, and shuttered factories.

New recycling tech recovers nearly pure nickel and cobalt from old EV batteries Researchers have developed an eco-friendly recycling tech that extracts 99 percent pure nickel and cobalt from waste batteries.

If anyone cares at all, EV battery recycling is now hitting 99% recovery for important metals

Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is

interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...

Unpleasant news to end the week ...

And so begins my least favourite time of year in Canada: the “sitting on tarmac waiting for weather to clear” season

Le protocole d’accord fédéral–Alberta risque de faire dérailler la politique climatique du Canada Bien que les améliorations promises à la tarification du carbone industriel soient positives et importantes, d’autres aspects du protocole d’accord Alberta–Canada nuiront à l’efficacité des politiques...

Le protocole d’entente conclu aujourd’hui entre le gouvernement fédéral et l’Alberta risque de mettre en péril la politique climatique du Canada. Lisez notre déclaration complète ⬇️
institutclimatique.ca/news/protoco...

At a time when Canadian climate change policy needs more certainty, today's MOU between the federal and Alberta governments achieves the opposite. Reaction from @climateinstitute.bsky.social

Steven Guilbeault resigns from Mark Carney’s cabinet Before entering elected politics, Guilbeault was a famed environmentalist.

Someone always willing to roll up his sleeves and engage with the hard work and complexities of achieving lasting progress.
His accomplishments have measurably improved the quality of life of Canadians.
This can't have been an easy decision. Thinking of him today with admiration and gratitude.

In an age of transition, how can we make sure people are heard and that different perspectives are at the table? How do we build a stronger, greener, and more secure future for all Canadians?
I've never met a more tireless, sincere, and relentlessly optimistic guy.

@stevenguilbeault.bsky.social is an exemplary public servant. He's dedicated his long career to wrestling with some of our country's toughest issues: How do we reconcile environmental protection and economic growth?

Review of CleanBC provides realistic path to strengthen economy, cut emissions Swiftly acting on review recommendations will help B.C. electrify the economy while keeping costs low for British Columbians.

The CleanBC review offers a realistic path for the province to strengthen its economy, cut emissions, and keep costs low for British Columbians.

Read our full statement ⬇️
climateinstitute.ca/news/review-...