In December the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) led an international business trade mission of nine delegate firms to the Caribbean region to pursue and expand on business opportunities, including engagements in Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Belize, and Guyana.
“Since 2014, NEIA has had an active program of supports in place to assist clean technology and environmental services firms from Newfoundland and Labrador pursue business opportunities in Caribbean markets,” said Abbie Lacey, NEIA’s Manager of International Business Development. “These supports have resulted in projects and exports for businesses from this province.”
Lacey said that markets in the Caribbean are an excellent fit for Newfoundland and Labrador firms. “The environmental challenges being faced by these small and primarily island nations – from coastal erosion to wastewater management to their distance from major markets – are very similar to the challenges we are facing here at home.”
Since the beginning of its program, NEIA has helped over two dozen firms develop strategies to enter Caribbean markets and has led six business development missions to the region. NEIA supports participants by providing professional matchmaking services, catered to the specific needs and opportunities for each business, to help firms find and meet potential partners in their markets of interest.
Lacey said that Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service was an integral support for the mission, its participants, and the ongoing trade relationship between Newfoundland and Labrador and the Caribbean region. “The Trade Commissioners within these markets have excellent intelligence and networks that provides substantial value to NEIA and its membership.”
NEIA’s international business initiatives in the region are a product of a continued collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Innovation, and Industry and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “The provincial government and ACOA have been strong partners in the pursuit of international business growth for our sector,” said Lacey. “We look forward to continued collaboration towards the diversification of our provincial economy through export and trade.”
To learn more about NEIA’s activities in the Caribbean, click here.
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.
ST. JOHN’S (NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is celebrating the achievements of three members who are the winners of the province’s Environmental Industry Awards.
“As an association focused on business and industry growth, much of our time is spent planning for the future,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “But it is equally important to celebrate the achievements of today; for that reason, this past year we were proud to renew our awards program and recognize those businesses and individuals who are helping develop clean technologies and grow the green economy in our province.”
NEIA’s Industry Awards program features winners in three categories:
The Cleantech Innovation Award recognizes achievement in research and development, commercialization, and/or refinement of products, services, or processes that can mitigate effects to, protect, or enhance the environment. 2018’s Cleantech Innovation Award has been presented to Intelligent Materials and Monitoring. “Intelligent Materials and Monitoring has developed a water-sampling instrument that has the potential to significantly reduce the time and environmental impact associated with traditional techniques,” said Hanley.
Intelligent Materials and Monitoring Co-Founder Dr. Stefana Egli.
The Environmental Industry Business Excellence Award recognizes a significant initiative, project, or achievement of a business engaged in Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy. 2018’s Environmental Industry Business Excellent Award has been presented to Anaconda Mining. “Anaconda Mining took a different approach with the excess rock produced from its mining operations, displacing 3.5 million tonnes of what would normally be waste and transforming that in to new revenues and jobs for the region,” said Hanley.
Allan Cramm, Vice-President for Innovation and Development for Anaconda Mining
The Environmental Industry Champion Award recognizes the contribution of an individual to the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s environmental industry. 2018’s Environmental Industry Champion Award has been presented to Leslie Grattan. “Leslie’s contributions throughout her career – whether that be in her capacity as a regulator, decision-maker, practitioner, business owner, or volunteer – have been significant and will leave a lasting impact on this province’s green economy; NEIA is proud to recognize her as an industry champion,” said Hanley.
Leslie Grattan
More information on the award winners can be found in the attached backgrounder. 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.
Intelligent Materials and Monitoring is a clean technology company spin-off from Memorial University that commercializes a synthetic polymer material, AqMIP that can selectively absorb certain chemicals like environmental contaminants, with first application being a portable water sampling analysis consumable. The technology and product were developed at Memorial University through the efforts of an interdisciplinary team of researchers, led by Chemistry (Professor Christina Bottaro) in collaboration with Process Engineering (Professor Kelly Hawboldt) and Translational Research (Assistant Professor Carlos Bazan). The AqMIP allows for on-site sampling and significantly reduces the average time spent for water sample handling and analysis. The technology offers many advantages over the current standard methods of sampling: it reduces contaminant sampling volume by 50x, from 1L to 20 mL, minimizes waste by as much as 98%, can be used directly on raw samples, allowing for accurate on site sampling, can easily be integrated into the existing laboratory infrastructure with no additional costs; it can potentially be deployed using remotely operated vehicles; and perhaps most important significantly reduces overall costs of analysis. There is enormous potential for the technology to eliminate the environmental impact of continuous transportation of large water samples from offshore to onshore, from remote locations to laboratory facilities, to increase the throughput of samples for a more accurate analysis, and to provide data quickly when environmental threats emerge or for daily environmental compliance monitoring. There are many potential applications for the technology in daily environmental monitoring and analysis in offshore oil and gas, fisheries and aquaculture, marine transportation, drinking water, wastewater, etc. The company is currently carrying out product testing with potential Canadian clients. Accepting the award on behalf of Intelligent Materials and Monitoring is Co-Founder Dr. Stefana Egli.
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Business Excellence Award
Anaconda Mining
One person’s trash is another’s treasure; Anaconda Mining has fully embraced this philosophy. In its gold mining operations in Baie Verte, Anaconda creates significant sums of waste rock – enough to fill 100,000 tractor trailers. But rather than treat the rock as waste, Anaconda Mining took a second look at the aggregate and considered whether it actually held some value. Anaconda began to view this waste stream as an opportunity and explored options for shipping the waste rock via Baie Verte harbour. It found a partner on the Eastern seaboard interested in using the waste rock – over 3.5 million tonnes of it – for use in construction projects in the United States. The subsequent shipment of aggregates for this venture reduced the need for waste rock disposal on site and has decreased the overall environmental footprint of the project. But as with all great green economy projects, the benefits were not just environmental – there was a significant business upside as well. Through this initiative Anaconda has generated almost $1 million in new revenues in the last year alone, and has helped to create over 70 direct jobs for onshore operations as well as tug operators, harbour pilots, and hand-lining services. This project puts on full display Anaconda Mining’s commitment to economic development through environmental sustainability. Accepting the award on behalf of Anaconda Mining is Allan Cramm, Vice-President for Innovation and Development.
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Industry Champion Award
Leslie Grattan
Leslie Grattan is an environmental management practitioner and entrepreneur who has made a significant contribution to the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s environmental industry. Ms. Grattan started her career in Ottawa where she was the first environmental professional in the federal agency regulating the offshore oil and gas industry. In this role she facilitated collaboration between government and industry to understand the environmental effects of offshore oil and gas in eastern Canada, and played a key role in developing the environmental requirements for the sector. The environmental assessment of the Hibernia brought Ms. Grattan back to Newfoundland in 1980, where she stayed in the offshore oil sector for nearly 20 years. In the late 90s, Ms. Grattan served as Newfoundland and Labrador’s Deputy Minister for the then Department of Environment and Labour where she made significant contributions to the creation of the provincial waste management strategy, collaboration with the federal government on integrated coastal management and multi-party environmental assessment agreements. Ms. Grattan now has her own consulting firm, which she started in 2004, and continues to apply her expertise to marine projects locally and internationally. Recently Ms. Grattan has played an important role in facilitating business relationships and knowledge transfer between Newfoundland and Labrador and Guyana’s offshore oil and gas industry. Ms. Grattan has served on a number of boards, lending her expertise to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and the Oceans Learning Partnership. Leslie Grattan’s contributions as a regulator, decision-maker, practitioner, business owner, volunteer, and ambassador have made her a champion of Newfoundland and Labrador’s environmental industry.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is seeking partners to help pursue the development of a province-wide electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network.
“Experts forecast that within ten years the upfront cost of EVs will reach parity with internal combustion cars,” says Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Given that the operational cost of EVs is much cheaper in terms of refueling and maintenance, it is expected that a large percentage of consumers at that time will choose the more cost-effective option.”
But Hanley says that the infrastructure does not exist in Newfoundland and Labrador to support increased numbers of EVs on the province’s roads. “The number one question those curious about EVs always ask is how far across the province they can drive,’” Hanley says, “and though batteries and ranges continue to improve with each passing year, the fact remains that in order to facilitate longer-distance driving in this province we need the infrastructure – and that means a network of fast-charging stations.” Hanley says such infrastructure either exists or is being built in jurisdictions right across Canada, and that the lack of such activity in Newfoundland and Labrador is a barrier to EV adoption.
“Transportation represents over 30% of our province’s total greenhouse gas emissions; if we are going to reduce our contribution to climate change, we have to take action in this space.” Hanley says that with the province’s electricity soon to be almost entirely generated from renewable sources, Newfoundland and Labrador is perfectly positioned for broader adoption of EVs. “On the one hand we should do what we can to encourage residents to purchase EVs. On the other hand, we have to be prepared for the change in consumer habits that will occur when EV prices approach parity with traditional vehicles. Either way, we need to be investing in fast-charging EV infrastructure.”
There are funding mechanisms available that may be able to support the implementation of a province-wide EV fast-charging network, Hanley says, but investment will still be required beyond government sources. “The existence of the infrastructure will help accelerate the adoption of the technology, but in these early stages we need leaders able and willing to make an initial investment.” Hanley is encouraging corporations, SMEs, and organizations interested in supporting the implementation of a province-wide EV network to contact him at kieran@neia.org.
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.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has released a report it commissioned in 2018 that examines opportunities for firms in the province in to pursue business in Caribbean markets through climate change and environmental programming offered by International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
“Export markets in the Caribbean continue to be of importance for businesses in this province,” says NEIA’s Executive Director, Kieran Hanley. “The region faces enormous climate change challenges; this – in combination with recent natural disasters and financial commitments from the Government of Canada – provide opportunities through IFIs for firms with environmental products or services.”
Hanley says the report identifies IFIs operating in markets of interest to Newfoundland and Labrador firms, and outlines their priorities and programming relating to climate change, environment, and sustainability. “The study is structured to focus on the opportunities that are most relevant to the strengths of firms here in this province,” says Hanley.
The report also provides current jurisdictional snapshots for thirteen markets of interest in the Caribbean, including: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Firms interested in receiving a copy of the study can contact NEIA’s Manager of International Business Development, Abbie Lacey, at abbie@neia.org.
Since 2014, NEIA has had an active program of activities – including six in-market engagements – supporting firms from the province to pursue opportunities in the Caribbean. “The environmental challenges being faced by these small and primarily island nations – from coastal erosion to wastewater management to their distance from major markets – are very similar to the challenges we are facing here at home,” says Hanley. “The products and services developed in Newfoundland and Labrador are relevant, at the right scale, and can in many cases be adapted for use in the Caribbean.”
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.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is commending its member, Mysa Smart Thermostats, for leading by example in its purchase of ‘home grown’ carbon credits to offset the impact of its operations.
Earlier this month Mysa purchased carbon credits to offset the environmental impact of its operations. “This is a very meaningful display of corporate social responsibility,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “It is inspiring to see such a young company take this kind of action; it is a powerful reminder of the importance of that relationship between business and environment, and we hope that other firms see fit to follow Mysa’s example.”
Glenn Sharp (Sharp Management) presents Mysa CEO Joshua Greene with a certificate recognizing the company’s purchase of 96 carbon offset credits
Mysa calculated its annual emissions to be about 96 tonnes – valued at $2,400. This included all office electricity and energy use, as well as both local and international transportation for the whole year.
“What is particularly special about this occasion is that the carbon credits Mysa purchased were the first ever to be generated, verified, and sold in Newfoundland and Labrador,” noted Hanley. Earlier this year Sharp Management Inc., through the design and implementation of engineered wetlands to treat sewage wastewater in the towns of Stephenville and Appleton/Glenwood, acquired certification of 55,071 carbon credits from offsetting emissions of 50,000 tonnes of CO2, on these projects.
“This is an instance where two companies with entirely different product offerings – through their shared values around environmentally sustainable economic development – collaborated to make a difference,” said Hanley. Revenues generated from the sale of credits will be split 50/50 with Stephenville, Appleton, and Glenwood who made the investment in the sustainable technology. “Great things can happen when companies engage in partnership, and today is a proud day for NEIA seeing two of its members do just that.”
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
@NEIAssoc presents first ever industry awards at #Newleef2018 celebrating the businesses, researchers, and professionals building the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. @Anaconda_Mining and @StefanaEgli of Intelligent Materials were presented with awards! pic.twitter.com/jxUNzxWwok
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:
support agencies, and other stakeholders throughout the province to give them the opportunity to network and learn about current trends and opportunities in the sector. 2/
Our government is committed to expanding into more diverse sources of energy generation and we are a strong proponent of clean, renewable electricity. 4/
I have also instructed Natural Resources officials to develop a request for expressions of interest from industry for renewable energy solutions for the remaining off-grid systems.8/
It is the expertise and experience of those attending #Newleef2018 that will help Newfoundland and Labrador build a renewable energy future. 10/10 pic.twitter.com/qAXTgbMW4X
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.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is celebrating the province’s first grid tie-in on a commercial property in the province.
SW Energy based out of Clarenville uses a mix of solar and wind energy to generate electricity for the company, availing of Newfoundland Power’s net metering program.
“This is an important milestone for the renewable energy industry in this province,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Through the use of small scale renewables – such as solar, wind, and others – businesses and homeowners can reduce their electricity costs, increase reliability, and avoid contributing to the province’s carbon emissions. We are thrilled to see Newfoundland and Labrador’s first commercial net metering beneficiary.”
Net metering is a program offered by provincial utilities that allows customers to generate their own electricity through renewable sources. The program means customers can use energy from the province’s electricity grid when necessary, while contributing energy to the grid when more power is generated than required. The objective is to allow customers the ability to achieve a net zero balance.
“It is appropriate that SW Energy is the first firm in Newfoundland and Labrador to avail of net metering,” said Hanley, noting the company is in the business of designing and installing renewable energy solutions. “NEIA commends SW Energy for taking the lead and setting the example for others in the province.”
Hanley said there is lots of capacity still available within the net metering program. “The government, Newfoundland Power, and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro should be recognized for their efforts in working together to get this program up and running reasonably quickly once committing to it. Now it’s up to businesses and homeowners to seize the opportunity.”
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.
