Investment in GHG Emissions-Reduction Technology Generates Employment and Economic Growth

OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Investments in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions-reduction technology that were funded, in part, by the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation from 2011 to 2016 will contribute more than $2.4 billion (2007 $) and add 15,017 person-years of full-time-equivalent employment to the Canadian economy, according to a Conference Board of Canada analysis, Investing in GHG Emissions-Reduction Technology: Assessing the Impact.

"Reducing GHG emissions has become a priority for many countries, including Canada. Beyond potentially lowering emissions, investments in transformative technologies generate economic benefits," said Pedro Antunes, Deputy Chief Economist, The Conference Board of Canada.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Conference Board of Canada estimates that the total economic benefit of investments partly funded by the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation  from 2011 to 2016 will be more than $2.4 billion.
• 15,017 person-years of full-time equivalent employment will be added to the Canadian economy over six years (2011-2016).
• The impact on Alberta's GDP is forecast at $1.95 billion.
• There are positive impacts in other jurisdictions where investments are also made.

As part of Alberta's climate change strategy, the CCEMC was established in 2009 as an independent organization with a mandate to reduce GHG emissions and help Alberta adapt to climate change.  From 2011 to 2016, it is estimated that the CCEMC will help contribute over $1.3 billion (2007 $) to projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions. These investments are mainly concentrated in Alberta. However, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia have and will also receive direct funding for projects.

Investments leveraged through the CCEMC program will contribute $1.95 billion to Alberta's economy and add 12,244 person-years of full-time-equivalent employment. Some of the largest supply-chain and induced impacts are occurring in the construction, manufacturing, and commercial services industries.

While the bulk of the supply-chain impacts are occurring in Alberta, benefits from investments leveraged through the CCEMC program are also taking place in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Ontario will benefit the most, with real GDP expected to rise by $240 million. British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan will also benefit from sizeable lifts to economic activity and employment. The real GDP gains range from $22 million in Manitoba to $106 million in British Columbia.

The report, Investing in GHG Emissions-Reduction Technology: Assessing the Impact, was funded by the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation  and is available from the Conference Board's e-Library.

The Conference Board of Canada will host a live webinar, Clearing the Air: The State of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 11:00 AM EDT.

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SOURCE Conference Board of Canada

Yvonne Squires, Media Relations, The Conference Board of Canada, Tel.: [phone] ext. 221, E-mail: [email protected]