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The widely held view is that effective action on climate change requires commitment by national governments to international agreements. Developed nations like Canada and Australia continue to fall short in their commitments to emissions reduction targets established under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Australia refused to ratify its Kyoto commitments until 2008 and Canada withdrew its commitment in 2011. Subnational governments in both countries have been active in developing policy responses to climate change yet remain largely excluded as serious policy partners in national mitigation and adaptation initiatives. This paper utilizes Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework to consider why subnational governments address climate change and the main factors shaping their policy choices. The experiences of the Australian state of Victoria and the Canadian province of Ontario provide examples through which to explore the factors contributing to climate policy opportunities and constraints faced by subnational governments in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public sector environmental management involves complex and dynamic interactions between those responsible for the science, management and policy responsibilities of government. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study into the perspectives, experiences and understandings of senior bureaucrats from provincial/state and federal government agencies dealing with environmental issues across Canada and Australia. Participants described numerous social capital-related factors as influencing the use of science-based knowledge in government policy processes, including a lack of communication, trust and collaboration. Further, knowledge integration was raised as a major challenge facing governments seeking to enhance co-ordination among agencies and foster innovation. Participants also outlined a desire for more inter-disciplinary and socially robust environmental science to increase its understanding, legitimacy and relevance to decision-making. This paper offers grounded insights into some of the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing senior bureaucrats as they work to improve the connection between environmental science and policy in government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the green planning programs of Australia and Canada as a stage in the development of environmental policy. Analysis of the demise of green planning phenomenon; Factors affecting the long-term viability of green planning; Obstacles to sustained and effective green planning.

Discusses how the United Nation's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new convention to regulate ballast water carried by merchant ships. How the treaty will rid of the spread of alien aquatic species which could be potentially harmful; Consideration of how ships discharge water at their arrival point as well as nonnative organisms such as kelp and zebra mushrooms; Efforts of countries such as Australia and Canada to bring their concerns to the attention of IMO's Maritime Environment Protection Agency (MEPC).