THIS WEEK
Norway weighs a fossil-free wealth fund, why 'negative emissions' is the next big thing, and how Canadian mustard seeds could fuel your next flight down under.
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Our new private Facebook group is now live! Join and share the group to connect with and support fellow Canadians powering our sustainable future.
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CLIMATE TALKS
How Canada plans to leave coal—but not workers—behind
Twenty countries, spearheaded by Canada and the UK, launched an alliance at the 23rd global climate talks in Bonn, Germany, last week to "power past coal". Canada had previously committed to phase-out traditional coal-fired electricity by 2030.
At the climate talks, Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna also responded to Canadian labour reps worried about the socio-economic effects of the coal phaseout by affirming her government's plans to provide financial support for affected workers and communities. Ottawa plans to create a task force in early 2018 to study how best to support Canadians expecting to lose their jobs or change careers as a result of the transition.
"We've also heard that this needs to be a just transition, that we need to be working together with workers and communities and we certainly take that message to heart," McKenna said. "I think this is a strong message to the world."
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Battery-powered big rigs are coming
Tesla's new all-electric semi truck is guaranteed to turn heads—it can travel 500 miles at highway speeds while towing 80,000 lbs of cargo, and it's coming to Canada. But it won't have the road to itself: Tesla can count Daimler and Bosch among its' top rivals in the freight race.
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Power to the people
As the costs and complications of going off-grid become less and less of a barrier, Ontario's energy planners are adjusting their expectations for a future in which homeowners produce their own power en-masse and battery-powered cars provide on-demand distributed energy.
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Chinese EV maker to create Ontario jobs
One of China's leading electric automakers, BYD, is opening an assembly plant in Ontario, anticipating growing local demand for battery-powered vehicles, like garbage and delivery trucks. The company says policy makes Canada more attractive than, say, markets to the south.
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Isn't it ironic
Norway may have built the world's richest wealth fund on the back of oil and gas extraction, but it's now looking to cut ties with fossil fuel stocks. The fund's overseer says oil-price volatility is too big a risk, and it plans to consider better ways to protect and grow the fund's assets.
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Jet fuel with a Québécois flair
Australia's Quantas Airways has partnered with a Quebec biofuel producer to replace up to half of the jet fuel it uses each year with renewable fuel from seeds. Agrisoma Biosciences will turn Carinata seeds farmed in Australia and elsewhere into some 200 million litres of bio jet fuel.
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Will policy push U.S.-made EVs to China?
As policy makers in Washington consider cutting federal rebates for EV-buyers, automakers—including mainstays like Ford and GM—are increasingly eyeing China as the market they can't afford to ignore.
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Out of office due to climate disaster
Some American companies are rewriting their HR policies to reflect how climate-related disasters are impacting their staff. The new policies aim to reassure workers that their jobs and paycheques won't be at risk during extreme weather events.
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The long read: carbon capture's state of play
Veteran science writer Elizabeth Kolbert takes readers on an in-depth exploration of how the carbon capture industry is evolving—and why it's on track to be an industry we need, like it or not. B.C.-based Carbon Engineering is among the companies aiming to hack the planet.
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Only in Canada? A smart light switch that talks back
At ecobee, a Toronto cleantech upstart known for making smart thermostats that rival the Nest, Sahaj Cheema found the right place to realize her passion: building products that solve problems for people. On Cheema's current project list: a smart light switch controlled by Amazon Alexa.
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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
Resources for a Future Generation 2018
June 16-21, 2018 | Vancouver
This conference showcases advances in earth science, societal and technical innovation, and education that can change the course of history. Be part of the sustainable future by submitting an abstract. And make sure to check out the Mining for Clean Energy session.
November 28, 2017 | B.C.
BCSEA board director opportunity
Looking for board experience and passionate about sustainable energy in B.C.? The British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association is looking for new board directors. Candidates must be members as of November 28 to stand for election on February 28. Apply here.
December 4-5, 2017 | Toronto
Solar Canada Annual Conference & Exposition
Network and build relationships with Canada's most important solar energy professionals; discover the latest innovations, technology trends and visions the industry has to offer; and promote your brand as a key player in the solar energy industry. Learn more.
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IMAGE & MEDIA CREDITS
Feature photos: Clean Energy Canada.
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