Economy-Wide and Emerging Issues

In order to remain the “go to” organization for policy and market innovation, Sustainable Prosperity conducts research and development into emerging issues. In particular, we focus on market-based instruments, conducting original research in areas where we can make a unique contribution.

SP’s top policy research priorities in this area include:

Effectiveness and Limits of Market-based Instruments (MBIs): analyse the state of knowledge and policy experience on EPRs, in Canada and elsewhere; examine how design options can make MBIs most effective, as well as their limitations.
Greening Canada’s Economy: Specific Policy Opportunities: examine the options for promoting ‘green’ development and jobs, drawing on domestic and international experience, by using budget and stimulus packages, MBIs, and other policy instruments.
Developing New Environment/Economy Indices & Greening the GDP: analyse methodologies and options for incorporating natural capital into Canada’s GDP; identify and address key challenges, issues and options, also explore the use of ‘real wealth’ blended environment and economy indices and measurements of growth.
Emerging Environmental Pricing Reform (EPR) Issues: study emerging issues where EPR research could inform policy development.
Innovation, Productivity, and Fiscal Sustainability: analyse the evidence base and explore options for using environmental fiscal reform to enhance innovation, productivity, competitiveness and fiscal sustainability.