Month: October 2018

NEIA ready to partner in review of EA processes; presents provincial government with detailed recommendations

Posted on by kieran

For Immediate Release
October 24, 2018

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is pleased to be partnering with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment in a review of the province’s environmental assessment processes.

“The environmental assessment framework represents and important intersection between government and industry,” says Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “There are opportunities to refine the legislation and regulations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the process – while maintaining or improving environmental outcomes.”

On March 27, 2017 the provincial government committed in its Way Forward strategy to reviewing its environmental assessment and permitting processes. “It is critical in the reform of these processes to consider the perspective of industry – and we commend the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment for recognizing this and including NEIA as an advisor to that consultation,” says Hanley.

“Industry is ready to engage,” says Hanley. Through 2017/18 NEIA consulted with its members and industry partners on priorities in the reform of EA and permitting processes. “We are excited to have the opportunity today to present our government partners with a comprehensive series of recommendations for its consideration,” announced Hanley. The document, which focuses on creating greater certainty in processes through increased clarity and consistency, is a “starting point for discussions” says Hanley.

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“We look forward to working with officials within Municipal Affairs and Environment and our industry partners over the months ahead to zero in on modernized environmental assessment legislation and regulations that ensure the proper balance between economic growth and environmental protection.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

NEIA supports implementation of provincial carbon price; programs to help address economic challenges and support technology development opportunities will be critical

Posted on by kieran

For Immediate Release
October 23, 2018

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) supports the implementation of a carbon pricing program in the province.

“Indisputably, climate change is impacting Newfoundland and Labrador. As contributors to the problem, we have to accept responsibility and take action,” says Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director.

“Carbon pricing is the most effective mechanism at our disposal to decrease greenhouse gas emissions,” says Hanley. “Evidence from jurisdictions around the world – including from some Canadian provinces – demonstrates that this is the most cost-effective approach to achieve positive environmental outcomes while allowing for robust economic growth.”

Hanley says the economy could face new challenges in a business environment where greenhouse gas emissions are priced, but that government can help decrease that burden. “Revenues generated from carbon pricing can be used to mitigate economic impact for businesses and individuals, whether that be through reductions in other forms of taxation, direct rebates, assistance to more vulnerable segments of the population, or investments to help companies develop and apply clean technologies in their operations.” Hanley noted that key sessions of its recent Newleef conference were devoted to this subject, featuring internationally recognized economist Glen Hodgson. “Those industries and businesses that can find new efficiencies to avoid greenhouse gas emissions will become more productive and more competitive,” Hanley says.

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Pricing carbon also presents new opportunities for innovators to develop products and services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to Hanley. “Whether it’s in oil and gas, mining, retail, or any other industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, the solutions that we create here can be exported worldwide,” says Hanley, noting that the province boasts a growing cluster of clean technology companies. “The world is clearly moving towards a lower-carbon future, and there is significant global appetite for technologies that can facilitate that transition.” Hanley says NEIA hopes to see increased government support for the commercialization of clean technologies developed in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“NEIA looks forward to hearing more from the provincial government about what supports will be made available to help the private sector both adapt to the challenges and to take advantage of the associated opportunities.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org. More information on NEIA’s Newleef 2018 conference can be found at www.newleef.ca.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

NEIA celebrates memorandum of understanding signed between Newfoundland & Labrador and Guyana

Posted on by kieran

For Immediate Release
October 16, 2018

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is celebrating the memorandum of understanding the provincial government has signed with Guyana.

“This is an important bilateral partnership for our economy and we are pleased to see the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador take this step,” says Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director.

“The opportunity to share the experience we have developed in our offshore oil and gas industry with our partners in Guyana is a significant one,” says Hanley, “and that is very much true from the perspective of our expertise in environmental monitoring, protection, and the clean technologies we are developing here at home.”

Hanley says this was plainly evident from the trade missions NEIA has led and those that its members have participated in to Georgetown over the past two years. Despite the distance between Newfoundland and Labrador and Guyana geographically, Hanley says there is much that ties the two places together. “In the time we have spent with our Guyanese friends, it is evident there are many similarities between our people beyond the economic possibilities.”

The growing relationship between the two jurisdictions led to the signing of an MOU between NEIA and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in November, 2017. “Our MOU with the GCCI was a precursor to what we are seeing today; and this announcement is a signal to the private sector in both Newfoundland and Labrador and Guyana that the future is bright for this international relationship.”

Hanley says that the opportunity in Guyana for Newfoundland and Labrador firms extends far beyond just oil and gas. “Alongside its offshore oil and gas growth, Guyana has made a commitment to a sustainable future through the creation of a green state development strategy; as the country grows as will its infrastructure and clean technology requirements.”

“We support Minister Coady in her signing of this MOU. This is a relationship that has potential on both sides for the long term.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

Newleef 2018 explores the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador

Posted on by kieran

October 12, 2018

On October 10th and 11th, the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) held its annual clean technology and green economy conference – Newleef – at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s, NL.

“Newleef provides an opportunity for the environmental industry to explore emerging business opportunities, examine challenges and barriers related to that growth, and to celebrate its achievements over the past year,” said NEIA’s Executive Director Kieran Hanley. “Newleef is the one event during the year that brings environmental entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers, decision-makers, regulators, support agencies, and other stakeholders in the province together to engage each other on these important topics.”

NEIA Board Member Erin Stapleton speaks on Open Line about the upcoming Newleef conference.

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The conference opened on Wednesday with a welcome from the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister for Municipal Affairs and Environment (and the Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board).

Day 1 continued with a presentation helping firms Prepare and Succeed in a Lower Carbon Economy, a panel highlighting the next generation of entrepreneurs driving green economic growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, a discussion exploring business opportunities for local firms in Caribbean markets, and information on financing options for clean technology development and adoption.

A summary of Newleef’s first day w/ Hon. Andrew Parsons and NEIA’s Chair Alex Templeton.

Glen Hodgson was the conference’s keynote speaker, an international economist and author with a lot to say about the effectiveness of carbon pricing as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while supporting economic growth – and gave his own opinions on how the most effective systems ‘recycle’ revenue back in to economy.

Glen Hodgson on Open Line discussing Newleef, carbon taxes, and more.

Day 1 closed with NEIA’s Industry Awards Reception featuring the participation of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation. Congratulations to the winners – who we’ll have a lot more to say about in the very near future!

The focus of the second day was on the application of clean technology as it related to the province’s natural resource sectors. “A report commissioned by NRCan identified natural resource sectors as Canada’s best opportunity to establish a global strength in clean technology,” said Hanley, who noted the international market for clean technologies is expected to grow to $2.5 trillion by 2022, more than doubling its size from 2011. Accordingly, the day included a panel discussion on cleantech development in Newfoundland and Labrador’s mining, energy, and aquaculture industries, as well as as an overview of the province’s major natural resource projects from the perspective of the environmental practitioner.

The day appropriately opened with the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, who had a lot of thoughts and news to share with Newleef attendees:

A summary of Day 2 at Newleef.

Hanley says the event was the culmination of many months work on behalf of NEIA’s staff – but relied on the support of its sector partners for its success. “Our Newleef conference would not have been possible without the contribution to the program from all of our presenters, and the support of our partners – including the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation. NEIA looks forward to continuing its work to help drive the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

For a full summary of presentations and speakers at Newleef 2018, view the conference website at www.newleef.ca. NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

Achieving Certainty Through Clarity and Consistency

Posted on by kieran

Recommendations for Reforming Environmental Assessment, Permitting, and Guidance Documents in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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