Request for Applications for Synthesis Research Projects - RFA 024 Health Impact of Climate Change Policies and Programs Related to Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation Measures and Technologies

Eligibility

• Deadline for applications: September 7, 2005 (must be date-stamped by courier no later than September 6, 2005).
• $800,000 has been set aside in this competition. Maximum funds per project: $200,000. Contribution funding will not exceed 18 months.
• Applicants should consult the Ineligible Activities and Expenses section of the Web Guide to research project funding.
• Synthesis is the identification, review, collective analysis and appraisal of the best available existing knowledge. It should:
• include published research and non-research literature, internet and additional "grey" (unpublished) literature, the practical experience of policy/decision makers and the knowledge of experts in the field; and
• draw on diverse literature including industry, engineering, toxicology, sociology, etc., and not be restricted to English and French languages sources.

Objective

The HPRP is seeking synthesis research to assess the health impacts of climate change policies and programs related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation measures and technologies.

The specific objectives are to identify the current state of knowledge on:

• potential health risks or benefits of climate change policies and programs related to GHG mitigation measures and technologies;
• tools for assessing the risks and benefits; and
• options for managing the risks or maximizing the benefits of climate change policies and programs related to GHG mitigation measures and technologies.

Background

Canada signed the Kyoto Protocol on April 29, 1998 and ratified it on December 17, 2002. In doing so, Canada has pledged to reduce its output of GHGs by 6% below 1990 levels during the first commitment period between 2008 and 2012 (Government of Canada, 2005). To meet this goal, the Government of Canada is pursuing a wide range of activities such as investing in efforts to make homes and businesses more energy efficient, supporting the development and application of renewable energy resources (e.g., wind power), and increasing fuel efficiency of automobiles and others (Government of Canada, 2005).

Measures to reduce emissions of GHGs in Canada are already underway. Most provinces and territories and more than 100 Canadian municipalities are developing their own climate change action plans which set out a range of measures for reducing GHG emissions (Government of Canada, 2000).

However, some actions to address climate change by mitigating or reducing GHG emissions in Canada may pose unintended threats to human health through the implementation of new technologies and processes (Blomquist et al. 2000). Examples of such technologies and measures might include biodiesel, domestic emissions trading, carbon sequestration, and hybrid cars. GHG reduction initiatives may also provide opportunities to improve the health of Canadians by contributing to more sustainable and liveable communities (Government of Canada, 2005). In this regard, more bicycle paths, broader use of public transit, and the planting of trees would contribute to cleaner air, less traffic and greener cities and would be supportive of healthy lifestyles. There is a need to ensure that the health impacts of new technologies or other mitigation measures are assessed. The new plan "Moving Forward on Climate Change: A Plan for Honouring our Kyoto Commitment" released in April 2005 calls for the development of a federal framework or mechanism to guide such assessments. (Government of Canada, 2005).

Research Gaps

Synthesis research is needed on the current state of knowledge on:

• potential risks or benefits to public health and well-being from the development and use of climate change policies and programs related to GHG mitigation measures and technologies;
  
  
• national or international strategies, frameworks or tools for assessing the potential health risks and benefits of climate change policies and programs related to GHG mitigation measures and technologies; and
  
  
• research and policy initiatives in other jurisdictions (other levels of government and other countries) to manage the potential health risks and maximize the potential health benefits of climate change policies and programs related to GHG mitigation measures and technologies.
  

How to Apply

Applicants must:

• get in touch with the policy contact to discuss policy issues and context of potential application(s). The policy contact is: Peter Berry, A/Manager, Climate Change and Health Office, Health Canada (te. (613) 941-3637, email: peter_berry@hc-sc.gc.ca).
• get in touch with the HPRP administrative contact in order to register and obtain an application form. The administrative contact is: Gail McQuaid-Bohemier, Senior Program Officer, HPRP, Health Canada (tel. (613) 946-3163, email: gail_mcquaid-bohemier@hc-sc.gc.ca). Contact Gail to discuss program eligibility/ineligibility, administrative questions about time frames and budgets, application formatting and content, the review process, and terms and condition of the HPRP.
• consult the Web Guide to research project funding.
• submit an original and five (5) copies of the application to Gail McQuaid-Bohemier by September 7, 2005 (must be date-stamped by courier no later than September 6, 2005).

References

Blomqvist, Ake, Crabbé, Philippe, Dranitsaris, George & Lanoie, Paul. (2000). Climate Change and Health Economic Advisory Panel - Final Report on Health Impacts of the GHG Mitigation Measures. Report submitted to Health Canada. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Government of Canada. (2000). A Compendium of Canadian Initiatives: Taking Action on Climate Change. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Government of Canada. (2005). Moving Forward on Climate Change: A Plan for Honouring our Kyoto Commitment. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Bibliography

CAN-Europe (Climate Action Network - Europe).

California Energy Commission. (1999). Evaluation of Biomass-to-Ethanol Fuel Potential in California: A Report to the Governor and the Agency Secretary. California. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

California Environmental Policy Council, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Air Resources Board. (1999). Health and Environmental Assessment of the Use of Ethanol as a Fuel Oxygenate. Livermore: California. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, Washington DC.

Damen, Kay, Faaij, André & Turkenburg, Wim. (2003). Health, Safety and Environmental Risks of Underground CO2 Sequestration: Overview of Mechanisms and Current Knowledge (PDF version). Utrecht: Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Fthenakis, V.M. (2003). Overview of Potential Hazards. In T. Markvart and L. Castener (Eds.), Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics. Oxford : Elsevier.

The Heinz Center & the Health Effects Institute. (2001). Health Implications of Technological Responses to Climate Change: Report of a Workshop Health (PDF version) November 29-30, 2000. Washington & Cambridge. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Herzog, Howard, Drake, Elisabeth & Adams, Eric. (1997). CO2 Capture, Reuse, and Storage Technologies for Mitigating Global Climate Change (PDF version). Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health. (2000). Health and Safety of Competing Fuel Options for Fuel Cells in the Road Transport Sector (PDF version). London: Department of Trade and Industry. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission & Northeast State for Coordinated Air Use Management. (2001). Health, Environmental, and Economic Impacts of Adding Ethanol to Gasoline in the Northeast States. Massachusetts. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (PDF version). (2000). Ancillary Benefits and Costs of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

California Environmental Protection Agency. (1999). Potential Health Risks of Ethanol in Gasoline - Draft Report (PDF version). Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth. (No date). CO2 Ocean Sequestration Project. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

Smekens, Koen and Bob vander Zwaan. (2004). Environmental Externalities of Geological Carbon Sequestration: Effects on Energy Scenarios. Milano: Fodazione Eni Enrico Mattei. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

United States Climate Change Technology Program. (N2003). Technology Options for the Near and Long Term (PDF version). Washington, DC. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

United States Department of Energy. http://cdiac2.esd.ornl.gov/index.html, Carbon Sequestration. Retrieved May 9, 2005.

World Health Organization. (2003). Climate Change and Human Health - Risks and Responses. Retrieved May 9, 2005.