Category: News Release

For Immediate Release
March 28, 2024

econext will recognize and celebrate the winners of its 2024 Industry Awards on April 26 at an event at the Delta St. John’s.

“Internationally there is a growing focus on the environmental performance of economies, industries, and communities,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “Organizations and individuals are doing some world class things here in Newfoundland and Labrador that deserve to be recognized and be part of that story.”

Awards will be distributed in the following categories:

• Cleantech Innovation
• Business Excellence
• International Business
• Industry Champion

econext‘s Industry Awards are being presented this year in partnership with TD. TD provides a wide range of banking services and access to instruments for lending, equipment and asset financing, and integrated, customized solutions for their clients. “TD has been a supporter of econext and its work to grow Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy, and we are happy to have them be part of our awards ceremony this year.”

Hanley noted that nominations are still being accepted for the awards until April 9. Nominations can be made here.

Tickets for the awards ceremony are available here.

econext is an association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Media Contact:
Colin Heffernan
heffernan@econext.ca

For Immediate Release
March 13, 2024

Between March 1-3, 2024, the second econext clean growth Ideathon took place in partnership with Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre and Memorial University’s Centre for Social Enterprise.

Taking place in Corner Brook, the event saw 36 post-secondary students from Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus and the College of the North Atlantic compete to come up with solutions for reducing and/or repurposing waste material in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).

The students, from many different disciplines, formed 8 teams. Each team worked together to develop their ideas which they pitched to a panel of expert judges. The students received mentorship and participated in workshops and networking throughout the weekend to help build their ideas. The top three teams walked away with prizes totalling $6,000. A Social Impact Award of $1,000, sponsored by the Centre for Social Enterprise, was also awarded to one team.

First-Place Winners

The first-place prize, sponsored by Hatch, was awarded to Team Waste Watchers (Dan Langdon, Riley Lockyer, and Ryan Whalen) who pitched a coordinated collection and processing of organic matter , and the sale of resulting fertilizing compost soil to suit agricultural demands.

Second-Place Winners

The second-place prize went to Team Green Revive (Andy Guilhem Awongue Nkada, Jemy Sara Joy, Soham Savant, Madison Organ, and Muhammad Zeeshan Siddiqui) who presented “Salt-ernative” – a de-icer alternative made from forestry and fisheries waste to reduce salt and its harmful effects. Green Revive were also the winners of the Social Impact Award.

Third-Place Winners

The third-place prize, sponsored by TD Bank, was presented to Team Eco Souls (Bhashitha Konara, Marie Lopez Cruz, Poornima Wijerathna) who introduced “Eco-Rewards” – a gamified approach to recycling with tangible rewards for participants.

In addition to the prize sponsors, econext would like to thank its opening ceremonies sponsor, NL Workforce Innovation Centre; event sponsor, Fuel 4 the Future; and meal sponsors, Electronic Products Recycling Association and Memorial University’s Cenovus Centre of Excellence in Sales and Supply Chain Management.

The econext Ideathon was made possible through partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada.

More events will be taking place in 2024-25. If you are interested in partnering on a future event, please contact Chelsea Linfield at chelsea@econext.ca or Alex Rumbolt at alex@econext.ca.

econext is an association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Navigate is a champion of entrepreneurship in western Newfoundland, providing business coaching and support to the local entrepreneurial community and to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of MUN Grenfell Campus and CNA Corner Brook Campus. Learn more at https://navigatesmallbusiness.ca.

Since its official launch in 2017, the Centre for Social Enterprise has established itself as a hub of social enterprise expertise and activity with a wide network of collaborators and partners both within the province and beyond. Learn more at https://www.mun.ca/social-enterprise.

The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization bringing together some of Canada’s largest companies and leading post-secondary institutions. Since 2015, BHER has worked to harness the strengths of Canada’s business and post-secondary education sectors to build opportunities for young Canadians, boost innovation and drive collaboration. Learn more at www.bher.ca. Visit our WIL Hub for ways to explore, invest in and create quality WIL opportunities.

For Immediate Release
March 7, 2024

econext is congratulating the Multi Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) on the re-launch of its Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund (SWMIF).

“Newfoundland and Labrador’s geography and demographics creates challenges for the management of waste,” said Kieran Hanley, CEO of econext. “Innovation is required to find new ways to address these challenges in effective and economical ways.”

The SWMIF offers financial support to innovators who are advancing sustainable waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year the program was increased from $15,000 to $50,000 in non-repayable funding for successful applicants. “This adjustment to the program will help to inspire and support bigger ideas,” said Hanley, noting that the innovative solutions developed in NL can be exportable to other jurisdictions facing similar challenges.

“It is important to look at these challenges as being green economy growth opportunities for our province,” said Hanley. “What’s good for the environment can also be good for business.”

More information on the SWMIF can be found at https://mmsb.nl.ca/funding-programs/swmif/.

econext is currently surveying commercial and industrial operators across to the province to understand how it can help them pursue innovative circular economy opportunities. “We are encouraging businesses in NL to tell us about their waste streams so that we can do better to help,” said Hanley. Business can fill out the short survey at https://econext.ca/econext-asking-nl-businesses-to-reach-out-about-their-solid-waste-streams/.

econext is an association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@econext.ca

For Immediate Release
March 6, 2024

econext is highlighting a recent agreement between World Energy GH2 and the Government of Canada as an important step in the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy industry.

“World Energy GH2’s Project Nujio’qonik aims to be Canada’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen facility,” said Kieran Hanley, CEO of econext. “This agreement helps to cement confidence in the extraordinary opportunity this province has around clean energy.”

Last week Export Development Canada (EDC), on behalf of the Government of Canada, and World Energy GH2 signed definitive agreements in connection with a CA$128M credit facility to support the development of of the project through to its financial close of its long-term financing.

“We applaud EDC for using the tools that it has at its disposal to support clean energy development in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Hanley. “With supports like these, our province will solidify Canada’s position as a leading supplier of clean energy and technology to the world.”

The Government of Canada’s news release can be found here. World Energy GH2’s news release can be found here.

econext is an association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@econext.ca

For Immediate Rlease
February 27, 2024

econext is congratulating Braya Renewable Fuels on a significant milestone achieved this month – first commercial production of its renewable diesel product.

“This is a major milestone for Newfoundland and Labrador which is positioning itself to be a global energy transition and clean fuels leader,” said Kieran Hanley, CEO of econext.

Braya Renewable Fuels operates the Come By Chance Refinery which has been retrofitted to produce renewable diesel – a product that can directly displace traditional diesel with much lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This fuel will support the energy transition by decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy-duty transport, aviation, and heavy industry.

Hanley said econext expects the milestone to be one among many in the years ahead. “There are several projects being explored within the province that would be internationally significant in terms of their contribution in the fight against climate change,” he said, referring to a series of wind-to-hydrogen projects that are in various stages of development.

“These types of projects not only allow for Newfoundland and Labrador to make an important contribution to the world’s pursuit of net zero GHGs, but also create good jobs, business opportunities, and community investment here at home.” Hanley said it is notable that many of the proposed projects are located in rural areas of the province and present great opportunity for rural revitalization in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Hanley said that the province has a number of competitive advantages from untapped renewable resources, geography and port infrastructure, available land and water, and more which position it for success in a world that is quickly moving to address GHGs.

“Braya’s project is the first to achieve commercial production in Newfoundland and Labrador; we congratulate those with the vision to develop and invest in this project.”

econext is an association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@econext.ca

For Immediate Release
February 2, 2024

econext wants to work with businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador to help them address their waste management challenges.

“Sometimes there is value to be found in the things that we are sending right to the landfill,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “When a business is able to do something else with its waste streams – a number of positive things can happen.”

“From the commercial perspective, a business can cut costs, create new opportunities for local entrepeneurs, or even generate new revenue streams,” said Hanley, noting that addressing environmental impacts is good for business in a world where consumers are increasingly becoming concerned with them.

“In the bigger picture, waste diverted from landfills is good for the environment and good for the taxpayer because the life of landfills can be extended,” said Hanley.

Hanley said that econext is interested in helping businesses in the province explore their options. “It doesn’t hurt to see what might be possible; our team is standing by to help you explore the options.”

Interested businesses can get in touch with econext about their waste here.

Get in Touch!

econext is an association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@econext.ca

For Immediate Release
December 7, 2023

Throughout 2023, econext – in partnership with Memorial University’s Harris Centre and CLIMAtlantic – organized a series of regional climate workshops throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Climate change is impacting communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, but depending on where you live and how your area has evolved, we all see it affecting us in different ways,” said Kieran Hanley, econext’s CEO. “These regional climate workshops are helping us to gain a better understanding of what is most important in specific areas of the province, which in turn will help us to do our work to advance adaptation efforts and grow Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy.”

Workshops took place in Grand Falls-Windsor, Port Rexton, Trinity, Port aux Basques, Codroy Valley, and Pasadena between April and November 2023.

“We have only scratched the surface in terms of our province’s geography,” recognized Hanley. “We are keen to explore opportunities to host workshops in other areas in 2024 and would be happy to explore ideas with any region or community that expresses interest.”

“econext regularly engages with municipalities and communities across the province to define climate change challenges and opportunities, helping in the pursuit of funding to address them,” said Hanley. The regional climate workshops will allow econext to identify specific initiatives that can be pursued on a regional basis and communicate them to other stakeholders who can help.

• Related: ‘An important step’ – Harris Centre climate adaptation workshops support N.L. communities – The Gazette, November 27, 2023

“We are grateful for our partnership with The Harris Centre and CLIMAtlantic for this initiative.”

econext approached the Harris Centre to organize, host and facilitate the workshops due to their long standing connections with communities and regions across the province. At each workshop CLIMAtlantic offered practical resources ranging from risk assessment to possible climate change adaptation options.

econext is an association of businesses that accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and work on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@econext.ca

For Immediate Release
November 6, 2023

On October 26, 2023 econext held its annual conference – the largest since the event’s inception in 2012.

“The growth of this event is indicative of the scale of the green economy opportunity that we have here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “It is clear that from wind, to hydrogen, to critical minerals, to energy storage – our province is on the leading edge of clean growth.”

The event, attended by over 300 participants, featured panel discussions focused on: next steps in the province’s emerging clean energy industry; challenges and opportunities in its pursuit of net zero; remaining environmental challenges its municipalities are facing; and green economy innovation.

“Three key themes emerged from the event,” said Hanley. “First – Newfoundland and Labrador is on the verge of a number of truly internationally significant developments. Second, our clean electricity grid is helping us to attract investment and decarbonize – but immediate action is needed to build out that system. And third – while we can make a global contribution in its fight against climate change, we have some work to do at the community level to improve environmental outcomes here at home.”

Hanley said that the event’s growth is also a reflection of the increased awareness of climate change and the importance of taking action. “There is great optimism that the realization of these significant clean energy opportunities can help us to address lingering issues related to waste, wastewater, and of course climate adaptation.”

The event was carbon neutral via carbon offsets purchased from Sharp Management.

“We would like to thank all of our panelists, moderators, partners, and attendees for contributing to such a special event”

econext is an association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

For Immediate Release
October 17, 2023

In an effort to maximize and accelerate the decarbonization of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore through the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a new CCUS Innovation Challenge.

See the government news release here.

econext CEO Kieran Hanley participated in the launch of the CCUS Innovation Challenge, with his remarks captured below.