NEIA publishes first edition of magazine exploring Newfoundland and Labrador’s Green Economy

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has published the first edition of the NL Green Economy magazine which explores the relationship between business and environment within the province and its key economic sectors.

“The aim of this initiative is to help broaden our collective understanding of what the green economy is, and how it is active in our province,” says Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Having a better understanding of what clean technology is – and what it can be – will be critical for the diversification of our province’s economy.”

Lomond says that the recent increased focus on the green economy at both the federal and provincial levels of government means a growth in the market for clean technologies, and new funding opportunities for firms seeking to innovate clean technologies or improve competitive and environmental performance. “These opportunities will arrive quickly, and unless stakeholders in Newfoundland and Labrador are ready for them, they will pass us by.”

NEIA views the green economy as the culmination of activities that protect, mitigate effects to, restore, or enhance the natural environment. The publication explores the prevalence of these activities in Newfoundland and Labrador. “From oil and gas, to fisheries, to aquaculture, to forestry, to mining, this focus on the green economy presents opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador’s traditional industries,” says Lomond.

Lomond says that new funding mechanisms will provide considerable opportunity for local firms who supply green products and services. It will also benefit businesses who have environmental or resource efficiency challenges that can be addressed with new technologies. “The degree to which Newfoundland and Labrador can take advantage of these conditions will depend in no small part to awareness of what the green economy is, as well as an understanding of how to position local business activities within it.”

“This publication is a starting point,” says Lomond. The magazine was initially developed as a promotional tool for local firms participating in international trade activities. “Through its production, NEIA saw great value in the engagement it had with industry stakeholders to develop content.” Lomond says that NEIA will publish annually to develop a better understanding of the sector and its associated opportunities and to help benchmark Newfoundland and Labrador’s performance. The magazine can be viewed and downloaded at www.greenNL.ca.

Lomond says feedback on the publication is welcome, and that those interested in the business / environment relationship should consider participating in the province’s green economy conference, Newleef, which taking place on October 12-13. More information on Newleef can be found at www.newleef.ca. A call for abstracts for the conference is currently open.

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 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.