Examining Policy Instruments and Environmental Tax as Effective Tools for Managing Environmental Impacts and the Implementation of the Paris Accord: Possible Lessons from Canada and a Case for an Action Plan in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Examining Policy Instruments and Environmental Tax as Effective Tools for Managing Environmental Impacts and the Implementation of the Paris Accord: Possible Lessons from Canada and a Case for an Action Plan in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How can vulnerable developing countries address the impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affects them more than other countries? My dissertation examines the need for developing countries to implement policies, including putting in place an environmental tax framework, to raise funds from polluters that can be put back into the system to alleviate the harmful effects of environmental degradation, thus allowing them to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN SDGs. To achieve this, my dissertation explores the policy measures that have been implemented in Canada, which is one of the developed countries with ambitious climate goals, toward the 2030 emissions reduction goal and the 2050 carbon neutrality goal. I will make the argument, through a transplant comparative analysis, for developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to adopt the policy measures that have been implemented in Canada to address the impacts of climate change in the region.

Chukwuka Achu
PhD candidate, Law
Faculty of Law - Western University

Supervisor
Elizabeth Steyn

Chukwuka Achu is a PhD candidate at Western Law who specializes in examining policies needed to reduce the impacts of climate change and achieve the UN SDG goals. His doctoral dissertation explores the policy measures that have been implemented in Canada toward climate mitigation and adaptation and comparatively examines the need for developing countries to develop and implement policies, including putting in place a carbon tax framework to raise funds from polluters that can be ploughed back into the system to alleviate the impacts of climate change. In addition to his research, he has collaborated on various projects, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Guiding Principles project on Sustainable Mining in the context of the Paris Agreement and Green Recovery with Western Law. He is also a two-time recipient of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). Chukwuka also enjoys relaxing with his family and friends – some of his hobbies include playing soccer, swimming, and tennis.

You can connect with Chukwuka via email atcachu@uwo.ca.

View Chukwuka's work as it appears in the Inspiring Minds Digital Collection: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/432/.