Department of Sociology at Glendon College

This study investigates the relationship between the carbon extractive
sector in Canada and renewable energy development. Specifically, it
examines the strategies employed by Canadian carbon-capital firms to
shape and control alternative energy and considers if we are witnessing
signs of “transition capture” as some oil, gas, and coal firms invest in a
gradual shift toward “climate capitalism.” I investigate first, investments
by large Canada-based fossil fuel companies in renewable energy and
second, interlocking directorate relations between the fossil fuel sector
and the renewables industry. Findings suggest the possibility of a
long-term strategic orientation toward a climate capitalist model of
development by some carbon-capital firms; however, this alignment
remains highly tentative, with evidence pointing to an industry that is
largely without plans for energy transition.

This paper provides a network analysis of federal lobbying in Canada by the fossil fuel industry over a seven-year period from January 4, 2011 to January 30, 2018, enabling a comparative examination of lobbying under the Harper Conservatives and the Trudeau Liberals. The network we uncover amounts to ‘small world’ of intense interaction among relatively few lobbyists/firms that control much of this economic sector and the designated public office holders in select centres of state power, who are their targets. In comparing lobbying across the Harper and Trudeau administrations, we find a pattern of continuity-in-change: under Trudeau, the bulk of lobbying has been carried out by the same large firms as under Harper, while the lobbying network has become more focused on fewer state agencies. We argue that the strategic, organized, and sustained lobbying efforts of the fossil fuel sector help to explain the close coupling of federal policy to the needs of carbon extractive corporations.

This article investigates the construction of a shale gas industry, including the proposed development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, in British Columbia, Canada, and focuses on state-capital interrelations surrounding its development. In addition to structural power, it traces the political reach and influence of gas and oil corporations over state bodies and the policy planning process in the province via political party donations and corporate lobbying. These complementary endeavours aimed at entrenching business as usual pose significant barriers to a rapid and socially just transition to a post- or low-carbon economy.

Using a social network analysis, this paper maps the institutional
architecture that supports research and development (R&D) aimed
at “greening” the fossil fuel industry in Canada. It traces the production
of this research through a cluster of industry-university-state
research institutes and centres, demonstrating the centrality
of fossil fuel firms in these networks. The paper considers how
the networked infrastructures supporting carbon-extractive industries
obstruct more ecologically sustainable lines of R&D

This study employs social network analysis to map the Canadian network of carbon-capital corporations whose boards interlock with key knowledge-producing civil society organizations, including think tanks, industry associations, business advocacy organizations, universities, and research institutes. We find a pervasive pattern of carbon-sector reach into these domains of civil society, forming a single, connected network that is centered in Alberta yet linked to the central-Canadian corporate elite through hegemonic capitalist organizations, including major financial companies. This structure provides the architecture for a "soft" denial regime that acknowledges climate change while protecting the continued flow of profit to fossil fuel and related companies.

This report is being released through the Climate Social Science Network (CSSN.org), a global network of scholars headquartered at the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, launched in October, 2020. CSSN seeks to coordinate, conduct and support peer-reviewed research into the institutional and cultural dynamics of the political conflict over climate change, and assist scholars in outreach to policymakers and the public.