Chapter 14: The Regulatory Record

Question 1

Fraser Institute Methodology

What is the Fraser Institute?

Answer 1

Calculate index of Environmental Performance, composite based on 17 indicators
Ranks 33 high-income OCED countries objectives:

If OCED (high income countries) - even if we’re doing bad doesn’t account all countries

• Protecting human health and well-being;
• Protecting ecosystems

Range zero to 100

Range 41.44 (South Korea) to 80.00 (Sweden); average 62.2 across all 33 high-income countries

Canada: 67.00

Question 2

What are the categories in the Fraser Institute’s methodology?

Answer 2

• Protecting human health and well-being;
• Protecting ecosystems

Question 3

Fraser Institute Methodology

Categories in “Protecting Human Health and Well-being”:

Answer 3

1. Air quality (3 indicators)
2. Water quality (3 indicators)
3. Greenhouse gases (3 indicators)

Equal weight composite indicators protection for human health and well-being and ecosystem protection

Question 4

Fraser Institute Methodology

Categories in “Protecting Ecosystems”:

Answer 4

1. Air emmissions (2)
2. Water resources (2)
3. Forests (1)
4. Biodiversity (2)
5. Agriculture (2)
6. Fisheries (1)

Still subjective chioce - greenhouse gases have 3 indicators → count more than fisheries

Equal weight composite indicators protection for human health and well-being and ecosystem protection

Question 5

Fraser Institute Methodology

What is the conclusion of FIR?

Answer 5

Conclusion FIR:
Canada not as bad other reports make it out to be

• High levels environmental quality in absolute terms and in comparison to other OECD countries
• Speciality: products come from natural resources

Canada conflicting reports success/failure

• None present as great success
• Often ranked bottom-ish OECD countries

However, methodology problem: Fraser Institute Methodology

Question 6

Reasons for a low ranking:

Answer 6

Low ranking - result (unavoidable) (1) geography or (2) climate or (3) reflect tight distribution of outcomes among countries (4) low value of Canadains place on a category

Question 7

What is the alternative methodology?

Answer 7

♻️ Recomputs the Index of Enviornmental Performance - averaging scores all 17 indicators (giving each one equal weighting)

Then, Canada ranks 14th/33

However, scores 11th to 14th → clustered between 65.6 and 65.3 (change ranking not very meaningful)

Not Good: Depends too heavily on availability indicators rather than the importance of the category

Support conclusion Canada performing better majority high-income OECD countries

• Maybe Canada should change - report not the basis for it