A Greener Economic Action Plan
All of this talk about economic crisis and recession has been a bit of
a downer; however, out of almost any negative circumstance comes something
positive, if you choose to look for it. The silver-lining in this context is
that of opportunity to invest in new industries, specifically clean technology
and sustainable development. Some countries, Canada among them, decided to
respond to the international crisis by considering it as “an opportunity to
change the way governments shape and implement economic development strategies”
(ILO). The many countries that are
embracing this position are investing in “green, clean and sustainable sectors,
supporting the creation of sustainable enterprises and creating green jobs” (ILO).
So what exactly is clean tech and what are green
jobs? Green jobs are jobs that are concerned with sustainability, these are
jobs incorporating production methods and technologies that “address climate
change, air quality, clean water and clean soil, providing solutions to key
Canadian industries that increase efficiency and enhance environmental
responsibility” (SDTC). Cleantech is
a ‘driver’ of these green jobs and is also focused on “productivity, economic
prosperity, a healthy environment, and high quality of life for all
Canadians” (SDTC). Canada’s Green Job
Initiative (a partnership of the ILO, UNEP, IOE, and ITUC) is focused on 3
specific policy measures to promote a ‘greener’ world economy:
- Support communities, sectors, regions and workers, suffering from climate change, including through social dialogue and expanded social protection.
- Promote investment in the creation of green jobs
- Strengthen skills and vocational training systems to respond better to emerging needs in the labour market.
Ultimately Cleantech is about creating jobs and an industry that has an
environmentally responsible impact.
This is part of Canada’s economic recovery plan because “a global
transition to a low-carbon, resource efficient and sustainable economy has a
potential to create jobs across many sectors of the economy, and can become an
engine of development” (ILO). In
fact, “well-tailored green components of recovery packages” not only creates
jobs, but also “stimulate[s] the economy while achieving wider objectives of
cleaner production and energy savings” (ILO).
Seeing as the old industries are seeing slow improvement, and as was
discussed in previous blog posts - we are headed towards an entirely different
economy with different industries and therefore a different workforce - the
emergence of the cleantech industry is one of those major shifts in industry.
Luckily for us, it is one in which we have been proactive and are capable of
competing in. According to Invest Ottawa, “It is anticipated through a number
of sector economic development and forecasting reports, that by 2020 the
cleantech sector will be the third largest industry, internationally,” just
behind energy (oil & gas) and arms (guns, tanks and military weapons). Canada,
as I said before, is in a good position to “take a lead position in the
development and advancement of this potential economic powerhouse” (Invest Ottawa).
A Summary of Canada’s CleanTech Industry
Some of the major players in the Canadian Cleantech industry are
Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the Canadian Clean Technology
Coalition.
Sustainable Development Technology Canada is part of the Federal
Economic Action Plan. They are committing $325 million over eight years to “continue
to support the development and demonstration of new, clean technologies that
create efficiencies for business and contribute to sustainable economic
development” (SDTC).
The goal of the
SDTC Tech Fund is to prepare Canadian companies for growth and export markets
while helping the cleantech sector reach its potential as a key driver of [...] jobs, productivity and economic prosperity. The program is helping
Canada take its spot as a top global cleantech innovator, participating in a
sector estimated to be $4 trillion strong and growing. (SDTC)
The Canadian Clean Technology Coalition aims to increase the number of
companies (and therefore jobs) in this sector, and to “create a coherent policy
for the clean technology sector that
limits potential risks and can deliver on its economic, jobs and resource
productivity benefits” (CCTC).
They advocate for “market friendly mechanisms
to fully unleash the economic potential of this sector, create new sustainable
jobs here at home and ensure that Canada takes its competitive place in the
global cleantech market” (CCTC).
The CCTC offers a
comprehensive list of the top 10 things that they deem everyone should know
about Canada’s Clean Tech industry:
10 Things to Know
about Canada’s Clean Technology Industry
1.
Canada’s clean technology industry is becoming
an economic driver.
2.
Employing 52,600 people today (with potential
for 100,000 before 2020) in over 700 companies across all regions of the
country and part of a global supply chain.
3.
Is an industry estimated at $10.6 billion
currently, potentially exceeding $26 billion in five years.
4.
Investing $1 billion per year in private sector R&D,
to develop proprietary IP for products and services that efficiently use fewer
resources and lower environmental footprint.
5.
In ten sectors focused on air, water, land, and
energy.
6.
To serve industries such as aerospace,
automotive, utilities, real estate, oil & mining, chemicals, and food.
7.
These clean technology companies are 9 times
more likely to export than the average Canadian small and medium-sized
enterprise.
8.
With 82% of companies exporting and…
9.
Export revenues projected for 70% of industry
revenues by 2015
10.
The Canadian Industry is a leader in a global
clean technology market valued at $1 trillion today and will be $3 trillion by
2020.
Indeed this is a smart industry to get into, whether employment-wise or
through calculated financial investments, as the “Canadian clean technology
industry grew by 9 per cent from 2011 to 2012, easily outstripping the economy
as a whole. Based on current trends, this $11-billion industry is already on
track to grow into a $28-billion industry by 2022,” with the right
policies, investment, and industry engagement, however, Canadian cleantech “could become
a $50-billon industry and employ 100,000 Canadians by 2022” (Bak, Peltier, and
McNamara).
The question that should be popping into everyone’s mind right about
now is what would a $50-billion clean technology industry look like? According
to Bak, Peltier, and McNamara, it would be
woven within our
natural resources and manufacturing sectors, driving innovation and market
diversification, and winning 2 percent of global market share. It would also
transform Canadian international development, bringing together Canadian clean
technologies, our trading partners and international financial institutions to
help countries clean their environments and transition to clean energy
economies.
The three Toronto Star writers also believe that “Canadian clean energy
companies can compete head-to-head with fossil fuels, making solar power
cheaper than natural gas and cellulosic ethanol.” Anything that can compete
with the fossil fuel market is worth considerable consideration. The Canadian
oil and gas sector exports about $100 billion a year. Competing with this type
of revenue is a huge piece of pie that Canada is smart to have proactively
taken a bite out of. Currently, “three-quarters of Canadian clean technology companies
are exporters, with 42 per cent of product sales going to non-U.S. countries” (Bak,
Peltier, and McNamara), so other countries are already noticing Canada’s active
stance and powerful position within this emerging industry.
Some Clean Tech Companies and What they are Doing
Because it offers close proximity to world-class research and talent
available in government labs and government departments setting policy and
technical standards, “Ottawa is home to Canada’s largest concentration of clean
energy and technology researchers, scientists and engineers” (Invest Ottawa). That being the case, it
is also home to a large concentration of cleantech companies.
Some of the leading cleantech companies are:
- Thermal Energy International Inc.
- Energate Inc.
- Enerkem
- Triacta Power Technologies
- Ensyn Corporation
- Earth Innovations
- Plasco Energy Group Inc.
- Cooter Muck Probiotics
- BluMetric
- Waste Management
- Johnson Controls
- Wesco
- Honeywell
- Enbridge
These companies are providing competitive and responsible solutions in
the areas of: renewable energy generation, energy infrastructure, and energy efficiency;
water treatment, waste diversion, conversion and management; and remediation,
green buildings, and resource efficiency in built environments. (Invest Ottawa)
What Does this Mean for the Future?
Like any major change in economy, it brings about the need for other
changes as well. With the development of green jobs and the cleantech industry,
there will be an emergence of new skillsets that will be required in the
workforce. As the International Labour Organization puts it, “investments and
enterprise development for a greener economy include demand for new
competencies and a different kind of entrepreneurship skills. The structural
changes wrought by the transition to green technologies or new energy sources
modify the skills needed in labour markets.” What will be necessary, therefore,
is the development of a consciousness to educate in this direction – addressing
the skill-sets that will be in high demand – and producing a curricula and
training with which to educate those coming in to the new market, within both the
education system as well as on the job. Generating campaigns to target a new
demographic to join this particular industry would be helpful too. (ILO)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s not all economic downturn and recession, this new
industry promises a bright future for Canada and the world. Yes indeed, the
future looks bright…Bright GREEN!
I think that this is a particularly bright future because not only does it mean a future of employment and economic success, but
it also means a healthier less harmful future for us and those who come after
us: these “investment decisions taken today are going to determine global greenhouse
gas emissions for tomorrow and a good number of years to come” (ILO).
I will leave you with some words from Canada’s
Minister of Natural Resources, The Honourable Joe Oliver: Canada is committed
to “creating jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. We are proud to play a
role in developing [funds] which will drive new clean technologies that build our economy and protect the environment"
Amanda Labelle
Sources:
Bak, Céline, Tom Richard Peltier, Cheryl McNamara, “Canadian clean
technology is going for gold,”
Toronto Star, March 16th
2014. Web. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/03/16/canadian_clean_technology_is_going_for_gold.html,
accessed April 9th 2014.
Canadian Clean Technology Coalition, http://www.canadiantechnologycoalition.ca/home.php
“Global Jobs Pact Policy Briefs: Promoting Green Jobs for Recovery And
Sustainable Development.” Brief
No 09, International
Labour Organization (ILO), 2010.
Print (pdf).
Sustainable Development Technology Canada – Canada’s Economic Action Plan
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