Canada’s budget pitches for clean tech and emissions reductions in transport and energy

In Canada, the proposed national budget provides C$50 million over four years to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to support the development of clean technologies; C$82.5 million over two years to NRC to bring clean technologies closer to commercialization; and C$2.9 billion over five years to address climate change and air pollution issues, including taking action to reduce emissions from Canada’s largest sources – transportation and energy.

The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association presented the economic and environmental opportunities of a diverse energy mix – including the expanded use of biofuels – to the House of Commons Standing Committee Finance on February 17, 2016. Recommendations included increasing the already successful biodiesel mandate from 2% to 5% by the year 2020; increasing support for clean technology and the bioeconomy, be it through government programs, tax incentives or the creation of a national bioeconomy framework; and adopting measures to complement provincial carbon pricing initiatives.