Appendix: The Environmental Business Sector Assessment Process

The Manitoba SWOT analysis was undertaken as part of an industry study that Western Economic Diversification funded in 2002. Acumen Research undertook an in depth analysis of the industry and the Prairie Centre for Business Intelligence was then retained to develop a SWOT analysis out of this in early 2003. The studies were proposed and directed by the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association and Western Economic Diversification was one of a number of funds providers. The Industry was seeking this information as part of a re-strategizing of Association activities and how the Association could better respond to the needs and requirements of their membership. The results of the study and SWOT were shared with all industry members at an Association meeting. The study has been the basis of much of the work since that time that the department has undertaken in consultation with the Association.

The Saskatchewan Environmental Industry and Managers Association (SEIMA) was asked to do a survey and SWOT analysis of the Environmental Industry in Saskatchewan. Funding Partners include the International Trade Centre, the Saskatchewan Departments of the Environment and Industry and Resources, IRAP and Industry Canada. A phone and e-mail survey was conducted in October and November. Two Stakeholder Sessions - one involving consumers of environmental technology and another with producers of environmental technology were held as well in Saskatoon.

CETAC-West was asked to complete the assessment of Alberta's environmental technologies industry with particular focus on identifying challenges and opportunities as well as recommendations for collaborative action. The report, produced in the form of a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), focuses on the technical and business capabilities of local companies and industry in general. The CETAC-West study includes: a review of existing literature and studies; an analysis of industry structure and performance characteristics based on the industry database maintained by the Environmental Services Association of Alberta; a focus-group survey of CETAC-West clients; and an additional focus-group survey of Alberta environmental product and service providers. The final report provides an analysis of existing sector studies and offers a comparison to national data to identify areas where the Alberta environmental industry is particularly strong.

The GLOBE Foundation of Canada undertook the assessment of the British Columbia environmental business sector. Information was gathered from many sources including government departments and agencies; joint government-industry partnerships in the environmental sector; universities and applied technology research organizations; private companies; and other organizations with links to key environmental markets. As requested by Western Economic Diversification, the BC review was not based on any new surveys. Rather, it built on the conclusions of work already completed to articulate a number of action-oriented strategic recommendations at the Environmental Technologies Forum. Two stakeholder meetings were held during the preparation of the report. The first involved a select contact group drawn from government, industry and academia helped to set the parameters for the analysis. The second held on October 28th 2003 involved a larger group of business leaders, industry experts and government officials and provided invaluable assistance in focusing attention on the most critical issues affecting the business of the environment in British Columbia.

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