Afternoon Breakout Reports

Charles Holmes asked the breakout groups to present their summaries.

Regulatory and Policy Mechanisms

The group representative listed three initiatives for the discussion:

Regulatory harmonization at all levels of government
1. This would require high-level meetings and would take about three years to complete
Promote eco-efficiency through performance-based standards
1. This initiative would need a multi-stakeholder planning process and a top-down approach. The initiative could begin as soon as possible
Changing the centralized, vertically integrated electricity industry into one characterized by a distributed generation model
1. This would create export opportunities and could take place over five years
2. Federal-provincial cooperation would be required to make this work

A participant said that distributed energy generation systems were a good idea, but would be a challenge to implement with our current centralized infrastructure. He asked for suggestions on how to make it work.

Another participant said that it was not an either/or situation. We need to open the regulatory structure to allow a natural balance between central and distributed generation systems, he said. A participant noted that the California Utilities Rate Review Commission regulates the power market between producers and distributors.

Marketing Strategies

The group reporter said that the environmental technologies sector needs market enablers, rather than market strategies. She said that an enabler was “a technology or resource that allows a business to be more efficient.” A pan-Canadian approach is required to get access to the North American market. She said that there was fragmentation and a lack of resources among SMEs. She listed three initiatives identified by the group:

Knowledge capture and dissemination through a facilitated network of groups
1. Case studies could highlight best practices
Promote industry connectivity
1. Larger players do not know the smaller players
2. Canadian industry could develop niche solutions
Target trade opportunities by market segment
Commenting that Canadian environmental technologies need a brand name, the presenter questioned if there should be a Canadian certification or an international standard. She said that SMEs need to increase their visibility and introduce marketing expertise earlier in their processes. “We have the technology,” she said, “but need more business savvy.” She suggested networking and problem-solving on how to follow up on the Forum.

Fiscal Incentives

The group reporter listed three initiatives:

Tax incentives
1. These incentives should apply through the environmental technology production chain, from the idea developers, to the manufacturers, to consumers. For example, independent power producers require enhanced incentives. Although the presenter did not want to disparage the oil and gas industry, he said that a level playing field was required, and suggested that emission caps be considered on vehicles
2. Flow-through share incentives could be expanded, and made consistent to all industries, leaving more money for renewable energy
3. Tax credits for environmental technology adoption could be offered
Broaden and increase renewable energy production, consumption and conservation incentives
1. One tactic is net metering. A national green tag system is being debated in Ottawa, said the presenter, but green energy is not at the table. The carbon dioxide producers are doing it. If a large company uses environmental technology, then the environmental technology should receive the credit, rather than the company
Renewable Portfolio Standard Financing
1. This could help consumer and SME financing
2. Governments should purchase green energy first

The federal government secures payment for exports if the other country will not pay. Independent power producers – who are penalized if they cannot provide enough power at specific times – need the same protection.

A participant said that Canada is the only country on the Pacific Rim that is not exploiting geothermal energy.

Centres of Excellence

The group reporter elaborated on the types of initiatives that centres of excellence could undertake.

Demonstrations of integrated solutions that would allow independent review of environmental technology
1. This would be good for foreign markets
2. It would reduce risks for investors and new technology
Linkages between existing centres and resources to help commercialize environmental technology
Define the needs of the sector for commercialization
1. Audit resource clusters and centres of excellence
2. Market research

Demonstration Projects

The group representative said that demonstration projects could be for new prototypes or large-scale applications. A large-scale application could be an industrial park or a commercial area that houses businesses on a sustainable site. He said that businesses, designers, and builders should be part of the solution and test the cost/benefit of applications. The building needs to fit site constraints, he said. The group reported three initiatives:

Model green remote communities
1. The knowledge could be exported to developing countries with high populations and low technology. The planning process itself would be a technology
A Green Community: Waste to Use – i.e. Britannia Beach Mine Site
1. The mine currently releases one ton of copper and zinc into Howe Sound daily.
  This site will be clean by 2005 and the technology used can be replicated elsewhere. This example shows how to turn an eyesore into something valuable, he said. This could become an attraction for 500,000 tourists per year, helping Britannia grow to a population of 2,500 by 2015
The 2010 Winter Olympics demonstrations for environmental technology and sustainable living, for example:
1. Green Building accommodations for tourists
2. Cross Canada torch relay
3. Green sporting/cultural facilities
4. Green procurement

In plenary discussions, Mike Harcourt mentioned other opportunities, including Globe 2004 in March and April, the 2006 World Urban Forum in Vancouver, and the network of over thirty cities that are planning and preparing sustainable development initiatives as part of this event.

A participant said that SMEs needed an industrial centre to use for demonstration project purposes.

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