Climate Change Plan Info-Guide

The following Info-Guide is a document designed to help you navigate through the different government programs, services and regulations which deal with the Climate Change Plan for Canada, and identify those of interest. Although most of the questions will be answered in the Info-Guide, the list is by no means exhaustive. The selected items provide a helpful overview of programs, services and regulations regarding climate change. This blended product of both federal and provincial information is developed to answer a growing demand for strategic information by business people. Municipal and other non-government information could be included, depending on the content and region. Further information on these programs, services and regulations can be obtained through any of the following:

• calling the telephone numbers listed under the program descriptions;
• using the links listed in the program descriptions to visit Web sites and Canada Business documents;
• calling a Canada Business service centre and speaking with one of the information agents; or
• visiting the Canada Business Web site.

The Government of Canada (GOC) will invest millions:

• to help business and industry reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using available technologies in areas such as the buildings and transportation sector.
• to develop new technologies to reduce GHG emissions over the longer term, and to help industry seize new economic opportunities.

The Climate Change Plan for Canada outlines the role the key sector of Industry and Business can play to reduce emissions, while continuing to prosper.

BUILDINGS

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The Commercial buildings sector is asked to make its buildings more energy efficient and to increase the use of renewable energy. Some GOC investments are thus vehicled through the following programs:

Commercial Building Incentive Program (CBIP)  - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Encourages investments in energy-efficient building design and construction. Building owners and developers are offered a financial incentive to incorporate energy efficiency features into new commercial, multi-residential (apartments), institutional, municipal and provincial buildings, as well as new buildings owned by certain Crown corporations.

Telephone: (613) 996-6722
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/newbuildings/cbip.cfm

Energy Efficiency Publications  - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Numerous publications on topics related to energy efficiency and alternative energy are offered by the Office of Energy Efficiency. The publications are aimed at the general public and are free in Canada. The publications that target industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) programs, however, carry a fee.

Telephone: 1-800-387-2000 or (613) 995-2943 (National Capital Region)
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/infosource/home/index.cfm?attr=0

Energy Innovators Initiative - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

• Up to $25 000 for Retrofit Planning
  Commercial or institutional organizations with annual energy bills of $100 000 or more could qualify for up to 50% of eligible costs for energy audits, feasibility studies, energy management plans and other project development measures.
• Up to $250 000 for Retrofit Projects
  Commercial or institutional organizations could qualify for up to 25% of eligible costs - based on projected energy savings - for project development and management, lighting, heating, controls, monitoring, training and other energy-saving measures.

Telephone: (613) 992-3245
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/eii/home.cfm

Industrial Building Incentive Program - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Up to $80 000 for Industrial Innovators that are building new industrial buildings
The program fosters the integration of industrial building design and process design in order to encourage energy efficiency in the designs of industrial buildings.

Telephone: (613) 947-1948
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/financial-assistance/new-buildings

Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI)  - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
The amount of the incentive is about half of the current estimated cost premium for wind energy in Canada for facilities with good wind sources. The incentive is structured to reflect the decline in premiums for wind energy over time. The WPPI is expected to motivate provincial and territorial governments, electric utilities, retailers and power consumers to act and participate in similar programs.

Telephone: 1-877-722-6600
Web site: http://www.canren.gc.ca/programs/index.asp?CaId=107

TRANSPORTATION

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The transportation sector is being asked to make greater use of renewable and alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The commercial transportation sector is also being asked to adopt other emission reduction technologies and improve fleet management techniques. Following are some programs that can help the transportation sector achieve this goal:

Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program - Transport Canada (TC)
Up to $250 000 to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs
Private enterprises and non-profit* organizations can apply for funding towards demonstration projects in the areas of truck, rail, marine and air freight transportation in Canada. The projects must demonstrate and evaluate innovative, practical and cost-effective technologies and best practices to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.

Telephone: (613) 991-1196
Web site: http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/freight/FETI/FSDP/menu.htm

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

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To help industry meet climate change targets, as well as lay the foundation for new, cleaner technologies and economic opportunities, the Government of Canada will invest in technology and innovation, including allocations to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) in Budget 2003.

Most of this investment will focus on five areas critical to achieving the climate change goals:

• Cleaner Fossil Fuels
  $115 million, including $50 million in funding from SDTC, will be invested in the development and demonstration of cleaner fossil fuel technologies. These technologies allow for greater energy efficiency and environmentally benign production, conversion and combustion. This will result in lower GHG emissions, a greater emphasis on unconventional resources, with a focus on providing a clean, emissions-free development of Canada's fossil fuels.
• Hydrogen Economy
  $130 million, including $50 million through SDTC, will be invested in building knowledge and accelerating the development and commercialization of fuel cells and other technologies in Canada that will form the basis of the emerging hydrogen economy, including technologies to produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources. In addition to promising long-term, sustainable solutions to climate change, the hydrogen economy offers significant opportunity for businesses and communities across Canada. Investments will be available to support public- and private-sector partnerships to develop and demonstrate hydrogen technologies and infrastructure in integrated, real-world settings. Taken together, these investments will build on Canada's first-mover advantage internationally and ensure it remains at the forefront of the transition to the hydrogen economy.
• Advanced End-Use Efficiency Technology
  $40 million will be invested in the development and demonstration of energy-efficient technology that can be used in the industrial, commercial, community and transportation sectors. Examples include advanced industrial process technology, intelligent buildings and community systems management, low-energy lighting systems, low-emissions vehicles and more efficient transportation systems.
• Decentralized Energy
  $30 million will be invested in the development and demonstration of decentralized energy production systems. These systems make more efficient use of locally available energy resources and renewable sources of energy, such as wind, solar and landfill gas. They can be used in residential, commercial and industrial applications and in combined heat and power applications.
• Biofuels
  $30 million will go to support the development and demonstration of bio-based energy systems and technologies. This covers a broad range of technologies, including biomass and waste conversions; cellulosic ethanol from biomass and other biofuels; bio-processes; biomass production, harvesting and transportation; and energy from biomass. These technologies have great potential to reduce the use of fossil fuels. This investment is complemented by our investment in biodiesel technologies.

Emerging Technologies Program - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Up to 50% repayable funding assistance
Clients to date include the pulp and paper, iron and steel, cement, oil and gas, and food and beverage sectors but all Canadian industrial sectors are eligible. ETP's funding assistance for technical assessments of energy-efficient technologies, prototype development and field trials. It is repayable from revenue or cost savings resulting from the project.

Telephone: (613) 996-6165
Web site: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cetc/cetc01/htmldocs/funding_programs_etp_e.html  

Renewable Energy Technologies Program - RETP - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Cost-sharing and technical assistance
Stakeholders in the energy industry, such as manufacturers, developers, consultants, utilities, provincial governments and other federal departments are eligible for the support from the RETP. The RETP helps industry to generate competitive and environmentally responsible alternatives to conventional energy generation. Technologies under development by the RETP include small hydro, active solar energy, wind energy and bioenergy.

Telephone: (613) 996-6087
Web site: http://www2.nrcan.gc.ca/ES/OERD/english/view.asp?x=1563

Technology Roadmaps - Industry Canada (IC)
Technology Roadmaps identify the new critical technologies, skills and competencies required to meet future market demands. The roadmaps are initiated and supported by the combined strengths of Canadian industry, academic institutions, research organizations and governments.

Telephone: (613) 954-3040
Web site: http://strategis.gc.ca/trm

Sustainable Development Technology Canada
The Foundation is a catalyst for creative, collaborative solutions that deliver positive environmental and economic impacts to Canadians. The Foundation fosters the rapid development, demonstration and pre-commercialization of technological solutions, which address climate change and air quality.

Among other eligibility criteria, proponents must be part of a partnership/consortium composed of a combination of a private sector commercial corporation and one or more of the following:

• a private sector commercial corporation which could be a technology manufacturer, distributer or user;
• a university or college;
• a private sector research institute;
• a non-profit* corporation;
• a non-governmental organization;
• a federal or provincial crown corporation (or subsidiary) whose role is the provision of resources and/or facilities to the consortium as a sub-contractor.

Telephone: (613) 234-6313
Web site: http://www.sdtc.ca/en/funding/index.htm

FORESTS

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Planting fast-growing trees helps offset GHG emissions.

Forest 2020/ Greencover Canada - Land Conversion - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Through its four components (Land Conversion; Critical Areas; Technical Assistance; Shelterbelts), Greencover will provide eligible clients with technical and financial assistance for the following:

• land conversion;
• improved grassland management practices;
• water quality protection;
• enhanced biodiversity;
• improved wildlife habitat.

Telephone: 1-866-844-5620
Web site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/env/greencover-verdir/index_e.phtml

Shelterbelt Enhancement Program - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
The goal of the Program is to reduce greenhouse gases by improving shelterbelt planting success in the Prairies, while reducing costs to landowners. To be eligible for the SEP, applicants must apply for, and receive, seedlings through the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Shelterbelt Program (Prairies) . The following groups are eligible under SEP:

• bona fide producers of primary agriculture products;
• federal and provincial departments for conservation plantings, reclamation or research purposes;
• owners of rural holdings greater than 39 acres (15.8 ha).

Note: Rural holdings of 39 acres or less, commercial enterprises, golf courses, resort areas or private holdings in urban areas are not eligible.

Telephone: (306) 695-2284
Web site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/shelterbelt.htm

LARGE INDUSTRIAL EMITTERS

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Large industrial emitters (i.e., oil and gas sector, electricity, mining and manufacturing sectors) have been asked to reduce GHG emissions. The sectors are vitally important to Canada's economy and response to climate change. The Government is working closely with the large industrial emitters to help minimize the cost of achieving the objective.

Energy Efficiency Programs - Industrial Sector - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
The purpose is to provide a framework for a voluntary government/industry alliance to help Canada achieve its economic and climate change initiatives through greater energy efficiency in Canada's manufacturing and mining sectors. NRCan administers the following two programs:

• Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
  Provides a framework mechanism for coordinating the development of energy-efficiency goals, action plans and services for each industrial sector. The program provides:
  • technical guidebooks;
  • newsletters on the latest energy efficiency information from NRCan and industry;
  • networking opportunities with other industrial energy managers.

Telephone: 1-800-387-2000 or (613) 993-2943 (National Capital Region)
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/cipec/ieep/index.cfm

• Industrial Energy Innovators - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

The initiative recruits and encourages industrial energy users at the corporate level to develop long-term energy-management planning and replication strategies for their companies. Industrial Energy Innovators have access to a variety of energy efficiency products and services developed by NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE).

Innovators are regularly updated on the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation's international technical information network, new technologies, operating practices and the latest "Dollars to $ense" series of energy management workshops.

The OEE offers a good selection of free in-house case studies and reports that outline new money- and energy-saving technologies. To become an Industrial Energy Innovator, fax the OEE at (613) 992-3161 or e-mail cipec.peeic@nrcan.gc.ca

Telephone: 1-877-360-5500 (Buildings Division InfoServices)
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/opportunities/innovator/?text=N&printview;=N

HUMAN RESOURCES

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Environmental Youth Corp. (EYC) and EYC International - Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry (CCHREI)

Up to $8 000 to $12 000 wage subsidy
Supplies companies with:

• a database of hundreds of pre-screened, work-ready young professionals;
• a wage subsidy of up to $8 000 - $12 000 (depending on the length and type of project your company is undertaking).

Telephone: (403) 233-0748
Web site: http://www.eco.ca/portal/employer.aspx?display=hireintern

EcoAction - Community Funding Program - Environment Canada (EC)
Average $25 000 for matching a projects funds or in-kind support
Non-profit*, non-government groups can apply for funding. This includes community groups, environmental groups, service clubs, First Nations and aboriginal groups, associations and youth or seniors' organizations.

EcoAction encourages projects that protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain activities into the future.

Projects require matching funds or in-kind support from other sponsors. Funding support is available for projects that address Environment Canada's priority environmental issues:

• clean air and climate change;
• clean water;
• nature.

Telephone: (819) 953-9450
Web site:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/index_e.htm

National Environmental Indicators and State of the Environment Reporting Program — Knowledge Integration Directorate - Environment Canada (EC)
The Reporting Program is an Infobase Web site that attempts to answer five key questions:

• What is happening in the environment (i.e., how are environmental conditions and trends changing)?
• Why is it happening (i.e., how are human activities and other stresses linked to the issue in question)?
• Why is it significant (i.e., what are its ecological and socioeconomic effects)?
• What is being done about it (i.e., how is society responding to the issues through government and industry action and voluntary initiatives)?
• Is this sustainable (i.e., are human actions depleting environmental capital and causing deterioration of ecosystem health)?

Telephone: (819) 994-9569
Web site: http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English

REGULATIONS

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Energy Efficiency Regulations - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
A bulletin board of regulations that eliminate inefficient energy-using products from the market to protect Canadian consumers and our environment. For example, regulations that affect dishwashers, water heaters, thermopumps etc.

Telephone: 1-800-387-2000 or (613) 993-2943 in the National Capital Region
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/home_page.cfm

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines - Environment Canada (EC) and Health Canada (HC)
The Guidelines are provided by the National Guidelines and Standards Office, part of Environment Canada. This Office provides nationally approved, science-based measures of environmental quality including guidelines, standards, and objectives. The primary focus of the group is the development of national guidelines for the quality of the following:

• water (HC);
• sediment;
• soil;
• fish tissue residues.

Guidelines are recommended numerical or narrative limits for a variety of pollutants (organic and inorganic chemicals) or environmental quality characteristics (such as dissolved oxygen or pH), which, if not met, may impair the health of Canadian ecosystems.

Telephone: (819) 953-1550 (EC) or (613) 952-2594 (HC)
Web sites: http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEQG-RCQE/English/default.cfm and  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/index_e.html

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

• climatechange.gc.ca

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

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