ID: 2077
Presenting Author: Juliana Barboza Vinha
Session: 586 - Policy and regulation changes: building public trust in EIA systems
Status: pending
The speaker will share the case of Alberta, where abrupt changes to renewable energy project approval processes halted over 100 projects and eroded trust among investors and other stakeholders.
Between 2019 and 2023, Alberta led Canada in renewable energy growth, adding more wind and solar capacity than any other province. Enabled by market-driven policies and a predictable regulatory framework, the province became a model for private investment in clean energy. However, this rapid expansion was interrupted by a 2023 moratorium on project approvals and new siting restrictions, creating uncertainty for developers, municipalities, and Indigenous partners.
These abrupt changes undermined confidence in what had been a transparent and trusted environmental approval process. The pause on renewable projects was announced without prior consultation or clear criteria and discontinued over 100 initiatives, disrupting established relationships between regulators, industry, and communities. The perceived politicization of environmental decision-making weakened public trust in Alberta’s Environmental Assessment (EA) system, underscoring the importance of procedural fairness, transparency, and consistent communication.
Alberta’s experience shows how reactionary policy shifts can erode investor confidence and institutional credibility. Restoring trust will require transparent governance, evidence-based decisions, and early stakeholder engagement. As jurisdictions worldwide adapt EIA systems to the pace of energy transition, Alberta serves as a cautionary example of how regulatory integrity underpins the credibility of environmental governance.
Environmental Scientist and Project Manager with 9+ years of experience in environmental permitting and compliance in Canada and EIA review for large-scale projects in Brazil.