  We give an approach for studying quantum gravity effects on black hole
thermodynamics. This combines a quantum framework for gravitational collapse
with quasi-local definitions of energy and surface gravity. Our arguments
suggest that (i) the specific heat of a black hole becomes positive after a
phase transition near the Planck scale,(ii) its entropy acquires a logarithmic
correction, and (iii) the mass loss rate is modified such that Hawking
radiation stops near the Planck scale. These results are due essentially to a
realization of fundamental discreteness in quantum gravity, and are in this
sense potentially theory independent.
