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

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).

The Hon. @Andrew_Parsons1 opening #Newleef2018! pic.twitter.com/iGGrk0oIlf

— econext🌱 (@econextNL) October 10, 2018

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

— Chris Mitchelmore (@MitchelmoreGNP) October 10, 2018

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/

— Siobhan Coady (@SiobhanCoadyNL) October 11, 2018

Our government is committed to expanding into more diverse sources of energy generation and we are a strong proponent of clean, renewable electricity. 4/

— Siobhan Coady (@SiobhanCoadyNL) October 11, 2018

To chart Newfoundland and Labrador’s renewable future, this past April we committed to developing a renewable energy plan in 2018-2019. 6/

— Siobhan Coady (@SiobhanCoadyNL) October 11, 2018

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/

— Siobhan Coady (@SiobhanCoadyNL) October 11, 2018

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

— Siobhan Coady (@SiobhanCoadyNL) October 11, 2018

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.