Integrated Environmental Policy in Alberta

Abstract

Sustainable development necessitates integration of economic, social and environmental sectors and policies to address contemporary complex environmental problems. This thesis examines efforts by the Government of Alberta to replace its silo-based natural resource policy system with an integrated system. Transition to an integrated system requires political will and institutional change to relinquish pre-existing policy elements that have historically thwarted policy reform efforts. An analytical framework was derived and applied to identify facilitating or inhibiting factors to evaluate the viability of implementing integrated environmental policy in Alberta. Results indicate reform efforts in Alberta have historically been subject to political clientelistic arrangements, but convergence of interests amongst key players, in response to criticisms levied against Alberta’s resource-based economy, has enabled the Government of Alberta to increase integration through institutional change to promote the goals of sustainable development.