Month: September 2015

For Immediate Release
September 30, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy conference – Newleef 2015 – features an exclusive session focused on tackling climate change within the province.

“85 percent of Canadians are now living in a province where carbon is being priced,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), the organizer of Newleef. Lomond is referring to pricing strategies being implemented in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. “It is time that Newfoundland and Labrador has an open discussion on when we will do our part for the environment, how we will address our rising greenhouse gas emissions, and how we will help capitalize on the business opportunities this creates.”

To encourage that discussion at Newleef is Chris Ragan, Chair of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission and the event’s keynote speaker. The commission was formed in 2014 by a group of experienced, policy-minded economists from across the country who have helped design, implement, and analyze policies for governments across Canada. “Chris leads a group of experts who take a practical and economic-centric approach to policy development,” says Lomond, noting the approach may be appealing to Newfoundland and Labrador’s decision makers.

The Hon. Dan Crummell, Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, will also speak during the session, adding a local context to the issues and options which arise. “We are encouraged that the government is participating in the conversation,” says Lomond.

The climate change session at Newleef will also feature an expert assessment on the needs and challenges Newfoundland and Labrador faces in adapting to its shifting climate, and a presentation on how the electric vehicle may be particularly well suited to contribute to lowering provincial emissions in the province.

“There are a number of geographical and economic factors which are unique to our province – and our climate change strategies must reflect that,” says Lomond. Lomond notes, however, that a significant delay in policy introduction could cause competitive issues for local firms. “With the vast majority of Canada’s business now operating in an economy where carbon emissions are being priced, it is important that the government of Newfoundland and Labrador provide a framework which, while discouraging pollution, encourages the economic activities we dowant from our businesses – e.g. job creation, innovation, and growth.”

“Our firms have the capacity to become global leaders in emissions reduction technologies, but they need the appropriate incentives to support their work.”

Newleef takes place October 8th and 9th in St. John’s, NL. More information on the Newleef conference can be found at www.newleef.ca. NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information on NEIA can be found at www.neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
September 15, 2015

Province must improve on its poor innovation performance

ST. JOHN’S, NL – On October 9th the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is holding its Innovation Session, an event which highlights exciting new research in the province and connects local businesses with university and college staff who can help them overcome their product and service challenges.

“Innovation is a key consideration when we talk about diversifying Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. “Innovation in product, process, service, or business model contributes to the long-term international competitiveness of our firms, but it is not something that happens naturally. Our Innovation Session helps create the networks, relationships, and cultures that are necessary in order to give our firms the chance to innovate.”

Innovation does not happen in isolation. The private sector in Newfoundland and Labrador needs support obtaining, understanding, recombining, and transforming new knowledge. Successful regions offer this support. The Conference Board of Canada recently gave the province a ‘D’ grade in innovation performance, ranking it 22nd among 26 ranked jurisdictions. The report noted the province performed poorly on business enterprise research and development, researchers engaged in R&D (including researchers employed in business, higher education and government), and patents filed.

“Innovation is not only an important factor in improving productivity, economic growth, and job creation. It is also essential from an environmental perspective,” explains Lomond. “Living in communities that are often isolated, remote, and natural resource dependent can pose environmental challenges. New and creative ideas are required in this province to develop the unique solutions we need to avoid or mitigate the environmental effects of our business activities.”

NEIA’s Innovation Session is an opportunity for firms to discover local research expertise with an eye to solving existing challenges or generate new business ideas and initiatives. The event draws environmental sector researchers across a range of disciplines including engineering, marine systems, geography, biology, business, chemistry, geo sciences, environmental studies, environmental policy, food sciences, technology programs, etc.

Lomond says there are significant benefits for firms who choose to engage university and college staff. “Academic researchers can access funding from a variety of sources, helping your firm by applying their expertise to your challenges or opportunities.” Research and innovation support agencies are present at the event to offer suggestions on funding possibilities for given projects.

“This will be the fourth Innovation Session we have organized,” says Lomond. “In each of the previous years, our event has resulted in collaborations between industry and academia – collaborations that have been supported by funding agencies.”

The Innovation Session takes place as part of NEIA’s Newleef conference – Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy conference. More details can be found at www.newleef.ca.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information on NEIA can be found at kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190