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CleanTech Forum
CREEKSIDE THEATRE, LAKE COUNTRY
SATURDAY JULY 11, 10AM - 2PM
A family-oriented FREE event featuring:
» Local organizations and companies showcasing new and innovative products, ideas and services
that are the future of Clean Technology.
» Presentations focusing on CleanTech subjects.
» Local approaches to sustainable living!
» Presented by the Okanagan Science & Technology Council, the Okanagan Institute and the District of Lake Country.
The Clean 15 CleanTech Competition
Canada has never been a particularly easy place to turn a startup technology firm into a global champion, and clean-tech companies are no exception. But Canadian Business magazine, Drayton Weissenfels and Yet2.com, a technology transfer marketplace, have launched the Clean 15 competition - to find the country's best emerging green-tech companies.
The challenges facing startups are well-known. But in 2008, the clean-tech sector performed better than most in terms of attracting investment. That's in part due to government regulations that are forcing companies to become more environmentally friendly.
Drayton Weissenfels connects clean-tech firms with potential clients, including Fortune 500 members, and will offer its services to the winner of the Clean 15. They're looking for firms with market-ready products, and entrants will be evaluated based on the market potential and originality of the technology, as well as how close it is to development. A panel of judges, which includes venture capitalists and CEOs, will narrow down the entrants to 15 and choose one winner.
For more information, click HERE.
Green Building and Development as a Public Good
Governments in Canada are attempting to respond to the challenge of global warming and to the expectation Canadians hold for a healthy economy and enhanced quality of life. Actions include energy conservation, the introduction of a carbon tax (British Columbia) and the possibility of carbon cap and trade legislation (or agreements among some provinces). An area of increasing attention is how we develop communities and build and use residential and commercial buildings.
In Green Building and Development as a Public Good, Mike Buzzelli argues that green building and development faces a classic policy paradox: we collectively agree that improvements are needed in the built environment but we are caught in a whirlwind of information and debate about how to move forward. We are motivated to "be green" but challenged by implementation.
For more information, click HERE.
Clean Energy Economy Generates Significant Job Growth
The number of jobs in America's emerging clean energy economy grew nearly two and a half times faster than overall jobs between 1998 and 2007, according to a report released today by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew developed a clear, data-driven definition of the clean energy economy and conducted the first-ever hard count across all 50 states of the actual jobs, companies and venture capital investments that supply the growing market demand for environmentally friendly products and services.
Pew found that jobs in the clean energy economy grew at a national rate of 9.1 percent, while traditional jobs grew by only 3.7 percent between 1998 and 2007. The report also found that this promising sector is poised to expand significantly, driven by increasing consumer demand, venture capital infusions, and federal and state policy reforms.
America's clean energy economy has grown despite a lack of sustained government support in the past decade. By 2007, more than 68,200 businesses across all 50 states and the District of Columbia accounted for about 770,000 jobs. By comparison, the well-established fossil-fuel sector - including utilities, coal mining and oil and gas extraction, industries that have received significant government investment - comprised about 1.27 million workers in 2007.
For more information, click HERE.
Clean Technologies and Ontario's Future Economic Prosperity
The Report on Ontario's clean technology industry, done by OCETA and the Russell-Mitchell Group, in collaboration with Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Ontario Government, found that Ontario's clean technology industry is poised for growth, and is comprised of companies that manufacture, develop and sell competitive products. Despite this promise, these companies face key challenges in becoming globally competitive - including lack of growth capital, weak domestic demand, and a small pool of management experienced in product commercialization.
The Report found that in order for Ontario clean technology companies to capture a greater global market share, they need to increase their spending in product commercialization by between 50 and 100 percent. They also need to be more strategic and intentional about growth.
According to Celine Bak, Partner with the Russell-Mitchell Group, the future looks promising: "There is an opportunity to stimulate the clean technology industry by aggressively implementing made-in-Canada clean technology products within government. The energy savings from these investments could reach billions of dollars creating tens of thousands of jobs. The cost savings achieved by the provincial and federal governments could be reinvested in the clean technology industry to drive global competitiveness".
"Adoption of clean technology solutions reduces the energy needs and other costs of Canadian industry, thereby contributing to their productivity and competitiveness," said Dr. Vicky Sharpe, President and CEO of SDTC, an arm's-length, not-for-profit corporation created by the Government of Canada. "The best practices and opportunities outlined in this report will contribute to the future success of the cleantech industry in Ontario, as well as the rest of Canada."
"Considerable public and private investments in science and technology development have been made in Ontario's clean technology sector. Now is the time for industry and government to act, capitalize on this investment and accelerate growth of the sector", said Kevin Jones of OCETA.
"By turning our world-class research into world-class businesses we can become a cleantech powerhouse. We're committed to continue working with companies that want to compete globally and create good jobs for Ontario families," said John Wilkinson, Minister of Research and Innovation.
"Encouraging the development and adoption of clean technologies right here in our own province is the right thing to do for our environment - and our economy. Soon, I will be introducing a new Green Energy Act designed to support home-grown innovation, create thousands of green sector jobs and make Ontario a world leader in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation," said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
The Report recommends key measures to enhance Ontario's clean technology industry, including: improving commercialization capacity; creating access to more equity capital; and driving domestic demand. These measures will help make the industry more competitive, create high-paying jobs, and contribute to Ontario's and Canada's economic prosperity.
For more information, click HERE.
Clean Energy Technology Support by BC Government
In March 2008, as a result of BC Technology Industries Association recommendations, the BC Government established a new $7.5 million dollar tax credit through the Small Business Venture Capital Act to support the activities of the Clean Tech sector. In May 2008, BCTIA with the BC Government led a Clean Tech Mission to Korea and China where 15 BC companies had the opportunity to expand their business development activities. To support the pro- motion of this sector the Clean Tech Snapshot, highlighting the strengths of the sector, was produced and distributed internationally.
For more information, click HERE.
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