THIS WEEK
Canadians are all for the clean energy transition, a road that will charge your car, and another reason to love LEGO.
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EMPLOYMENT
Approaching the eighth digit
Nearly 10 million clean energy jobs today, with potentially 14 million more to come by 2030: that's what the International Renewable Energy Agency finds in a report released last week. The biggest employer is solar power, which was responsible for 3.1 million jobs in 2016—a 12.1 per cent jump over 2015. China, meanwhile, employed 3.6 million people in clean energy, while the U.S. employed 777,000 (yes, someone should send this report to U.S. President Donald Trump).
According to IRENA director-general Adnan Amin, who Clean Energy Canada interviewed in Vancouver earlier this month, even countries like oil-rich Saudi Arabia have started transitioning to renewable energy. "Three weeks ago, we launched a new initiative in Saudi Arabia for a $50-billion investment in renewable energy," he said. "They’re doing this not because they’ve suddenly become climate advocates or they’re against oil, but because they see the future in a very different way, and they know that energy in the future is not going to be what it is today.”
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Canada's zero-emission vehicle strategy
The federal government announced an advisory group to shape Canada’s national zero-emission vehicle strategy. “The electric car story just keeps getting better and better—and the opportunity for Canada bigger and bigger," Clean Energy Canada's Merran Smith says.
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America eyes a lonely path
The U.S. may or may not stick with the Paris Agreement on climate, but that won't deter Canada, the EU and China, which met last week to discuss how to keep moving forward in the event America leaves.
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The impact of EVs has only just begun
The age of electric cars—and everything that entails—is just getting started. The bad news: fossil fuels still power 95 per cent of transportation today. The good news: deep decarbonation of the industry is already well underway—and may be closer than you think.
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Movers and shakers
If you want to see big strides being made to fight climate change, simply look at the world's biggest countries. China says it's now home to the world's largest floating solar farm (in a coal-rich region, no less), while India just cancelled plans for coal power as solar prices plummet.
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Some pretty coal news
Have old coal mines outlived their use? Not if we turn them into giant water-filled batteries. Meanwhile, in Wyoming, Chinese turbine maker Goldwind is looking to hire unemployed coal miners.
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A strong majority (no, not in B.C.)
Are Canadians torn over the transition to clean energy? Not particularly. According to a new poll from Abacus Data, two-thirds of Canadians say we ought to prioritize growing our economy in ways that don’t involve fossil fuels.
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Apples to apples
In B.C., heating your home with electricity rather than gas needn't cost you more, says a new report from the Pembina Institute. The key to keeping costs (and pollution!) down is one particular piece of technology: the electric air-source heat pump.
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Charge your EV without... charging your EV
Earlier this month in Paris, on a 100m test track, two electric vans were able to charge while driving. Contactless charging: while far from becoming commonplace, the early-days technology has big potential. Read more about it here.
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Building a brighter future
You loved them as a kid. Now, love them again. LEGO has reached its 100 per cent renewable target three years ahead of schedule. “We see children as our role models and as we take action in reducing our environmental impact as a company," CEO Bali Padda says.
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Clean Energy Review is sponsored in part by Genus Capital Management, a leading provider of fossil-fuel-free investments.
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FRONT BURNER
Clean Energy BC's 27th AGM & Spring Conference
June 1 | Vancouver
Much has been written about B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver in recent days, as the results of the province's uncertain election still loom large. Now is your change to hear from Weaver in person at Clean Energy BC's spring conference. But that's not all. Discussion topics at the all-day conference include electrification, Alberta, and First Nations clean energy strategies. Learn more.
June 22, 2017 | Toronto
School's Out Party - Fundraiser for TREC Education
The fifth annual School’s Out Party welcomes hundreds of environmental and energy professionals for a casual evening of networking and entertainment. Held at Steam Whistle Brewery, the fundraiser is a welcome alternative to the conference circuit. Learn more.
June 15, 2017 | Vancouver
Geothermal 101 & Business Development Workshop
Want to better understand geothermal? We have just the thing for you. The event in downtown Vancouver includes a 101 session, a business development workshop, and a chance to network. Learn more.
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IMAGE & MEDIA CREDITS
Featured image: IRENA
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