THIS WEEK
Best. Minivan. Ever. Plus, lessons from British Columbia, and Europe is getting a supercharged electric network.
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OILSANDS
Let's talk about the pipeline in the room
There was no missing Tuesday's news. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government had approved Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which runs through B.C., along with the Line 3 expansion between Alberta and the U.S. The government also rejected Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline proposal, marking the first time in history a Canadian government has axed a pipeline. Still, with two new pipeline projects now underway, the math on emissions gets murkier.
Naturally, critics have called into question whether or not Canada can really hit its 2030 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions given, you know, pipelines. While such projects certainly won't help matters, Canada will still likely reduce emissions overall thanks to a slate of new policies introduced this year, such as the much-debated carbon tax and accelerated coal phaseout. And the federal government isn't done introducing new measures either. The prime minister will be meeting with the premiers this week to announce new policies and lay out a more precise plan to get Canada on track to meet its 2030 commitment—a plan that, one can assume, includes two new pipeline projects.
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The 'most fuel-efficient minivan ever'
The world's most fuel-efficient minivan will cost a mere $20 a week to drive—and it was built in Windsor, Ontario. According to EnerGuide Canada, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's average yearly fuel bill (including gas and electricity costs) is just shy of $1,000.
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How the little guys can put pressure on the U.S.
With Donald Trump heading to office, many worry that the world's biggest economy will do a 180 on its Paris climate commitment. There may be a way, however, for smaller nations to put pressure on big ones like the U.S. Their weapon? Border carbon adjustments.
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Made-in-B.C. solutions
As Canada looks to map out its climate plan this week, one province in particular can offer a wealth of valuable intel: British Columbia. Clean Energy Canada's Merran Smith and Teck Resource's Marcia Smith co-wrote this op-ed in Friday's Vancouver Sun.
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The EPA's Christmas present for Trump
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking to firm up emissions and fuel targets ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The EPA acted months earlier than expected, although the new administration could undo the regulations.
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These four cities are banning diesel cars
What do Mexico City, Paris, Madrid and Athens have in common? You can probably guess from the headline above. As for the reason: air pollution. Diesel cars are more common in Europe, where diesel is much cheaper than gas. The details of the ban are still to come.
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An unexpected revelation about Trump voters
Here's a fun fact: wind and solar companies in the U.S. actually gave more money to Republicans than Democrats in the last election. Will the investment pay off? While Donald Trump has been boosting coal, Trump supporters actually like renewable energy.
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If you build it, they will come (in an EV)
Volkswagen, BMW and Ford are teaming up to build a network of fast-charging stations throughout Europe, aimed at cooling driver concerns around the ability of EVs to travel long distances. The rollout begins in 2017. The new stations will be "significantly faster."
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Three cheers for China
China's green sector is no lightweight. By 2020, the world's largest country expects its environmental and clean energy sector to represent three per cent of its GDP. China hopes to both reduce carbon emissions while diversifying its industrial economy.
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Vancouver EV company receives $1.9 million
A cleantech company based out of Vancouver, Nano One, received an investment of $1.9 million from the federal government on Friday. The firm produces technology for batteries used in EVs—often considered the most important component for their success.
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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
Is the Paris Agreement on Track?
Dec. 9 | Vancouver
Last December, nations from around the world convened and ultimately adopted the Paris Agreement to combat the effects of climate change. In November, countries once again met, this time in Morocco, to figure out the ways in which they'll implement that agreement. Join Carbon Talks for a discussion on how we're doing so far. Learn more.
Dec. 5-6 | Toronto
Solar Canada Conference and Exposition
This is Canada's biggest solar show, as thousands of attendees and hundreds of vendors descend on the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in December. Network, discover new technologies and learn from likeminded renewable energy entrepreneurs. Learn more.
Feb. 2 | Toronto
Powering Prosperity Awards
The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association is celebrating the champions of clean energy in February at its seventh annual awards ceremony. Awards include Developer of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Indigenous Project of the Year and many others. Learn more.
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