THIS WEEK
Wind and solar are soaring sky-high, big oil is worried about big EV, and forget natural resources—China's investors want clean tech
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NATIONAL CLIMATE PLAN
A price on carbon isn't the only measure coming this fall, environment minister says
While the recently announced plan to price carbon across Canada has garnered plenty of attention by itself, it won't be the only climate policy the federal government introduces this fall. After giving a speech on Thursday at the Canadian Climate Forum, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said the government would introduce additional climate action policies ahead of the December 8 meeting of premiers and the prime minister. "The intention is to put some of our plans out through the fall in the lead-up to the first ministers' meeting," McKenna said.
As for what those policies will be, that remains to be seen. But Clean Energy Canada's Clare Demerse says there's a simple starting point Ottawa may want to consider: the policies that are already in place in provinces. "We found that adopting today’s top provincial policies nationwide would cut Canada’s emissions by 34 million tonnes in 2030," Demerse writes. She says that translates to about 15 per cent of the reduction we need to hit our 2030 target.
The good news for the feds is that, according to a poll Clean Energy Canada commissioned with Nanos Research, Canadians are largely supportive of introducing new clean growth policies. Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents think Canada should phase out coal power faster than is currently planned, while 76 per cent said the federal government should prioritize investing in clean energy and technology.
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Lower and Upper Canada team up on carbon
The Ontario government announced on Friday that it had reached a deal to buy hydroelectricity from Quebec, replacing natural-gas power in an effort to reduce emissions. “It’s the start of a trend we would like to see continue,” our Sarah Petrevan told the Globe.
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Oil companies are worried about electric cars
Statoil CEO Eldar Saetre recently told an audience of his peers that the threat of EVs to the oil industry is very real. Transportation accounts for 55 per cent of oil use, he said, and EVs are growing fast. Meanwhile, utility companies view EVs as an opportunity.
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Making clean energy Canada's global brand
As it stands, Canada will not meet the commitments it made in Paris to cut emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. Now is the time for government and industry to team up against climate change—while seizing new opportunities for innovation. Read our take.
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Renewable energy surpasses all expectations
The International Energy Agency is "significantly" raising its outlook for wind and solar installations. If you're wondering why, here are two telling charts from Bloomberg.
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Wind could power 1/5 of the world by 2030
A gust of good news for fans of wind power: according to the Global Wind Energy Council, wind could power up to 20 per cent of the world's electricity by 2030. The council's report credits increased climate action and the fact the technology keeps getting cheaper.
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Electric relationship: U.S. eyes Canadian hydro
Like Ontario, Northeastern U.S. states are looking to lower their electricity system's carbon footprint—potentially by importing hydro from a neighbour. Here's an interesting long read on why New York state and Massachusetts might consider Canadian hydro.
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Chinese investors want Canada's clean tech
China's billionaires may be more interested in Canada's clean tech than its natural resources. "Natural resources is not the top priority," Chinese venture capitalist Wang Chaoyang told CBC. "We are more interested in investing in environment technology."
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A new wish for Alberta's unproductive wells
There are now an estimated 84,100 inactive oil and gas wells in Alberta, a number that has been growing. But one Edmonton entrepreneur says he has a solution. Mitchell Pomphrey wants to transform unproductive wells into geothermal heat sources.
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The war of the white papers
Canadian energy and climate researcher Brett Dolter has penned an interesting essay in response to Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall’s White Paper on Climate Change, which purports to be an alternative to the federal government's national carbon tax.
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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
Live Panel: When are subsidies win-win for the environment and the economy?
Oct. 25 | Online
Earlier this month, the Ecofiscal Commission released a report that concluded that biofuel policies are not an ideal way to reduce emissions. This live (and free) online panel discussion will tackle the question of whether or not a subsidy can be designed that balances the environment with cost-effectiveness. Yes, this ones for you wonks out there. Among the panelists is Martha Hall Findlay, the former MP who's now the president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation. Learn more.
Nov. 1-3 | Calgary
CANWEA Annual Conference and Exhibition
Canada's biggest wind power conference is whooshing in this November. Topics this year include asset management, social aspects of wind development for emerging markets, and industry initiatives to reduce bat fatalities. Learn more.
Nov. 14-16 | Ottawa
Scaling Up Conference
Canada has an opportunity to lead the world into its low-carbon future. Scaling Up offers attendees the chance to be a part of the conversation on innovation. Early-bird rates are available until October 14. Learn more.
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