Ontario is putting its new Climate Change Strategy into action by investing nearly $100 million from the Ontario Green Investment Fund into projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and support cleantech innovation.Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, was at Morgan Solar to announce the two new programs for business. “Our government is taking action to stop climate change by helping our business sector create prosperity and jobs for today and tomorrow. Through these two new programs, we will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while promoting the innovative and disruptive technologies that will improve productivity and secure our economic future,” said Premier Wynne.
During a recent mission to India led by Premier Wynne, Ontario delegates signed a number of agreements with Indian businesses and the government, cutting across sectors including 13 agreements in cleantech. The estimated value of the agreements in the cleantech sector is CAD 59.4 mn (approx. INR 300 crores). Ontario based Advanced Energy Centre signed agreements with Tech Mahindra, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and India Smart Grid Forum. India’s energy sector has a huge potential for renewable and other innovative clean technologies to address the energy supply gap, which is where the partnerships assume a strategic importance for the country. This opens up door for setting up of more cleantech microgrids in India, and also importing of advanced technological solutions for Indian beneficiaries from their Ontarian counterparts.
Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure in Ontario, who was also a part of the delegation to India, expressed his views saying “We are pleased to partner with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters on the Green Smart program — a new way to promote innovative energy efficiency technologies and environmental best practices throughout businesses in Ontario. We are committed to supporting a cleaner, healthier environment, while growing our economy and creating new jobs.”
The Canadian province of Ontario will invest $74 million in a cleantech innovation initiative, which will help reduce greenhouse gas pollution by encouraging large industrial plants to adopt leading-edge technologies, while supporting entrepreneurs in developing creative solutions. For this initiative, the Ontarian government is partnering with the Ontario Centres of Excellence, which drive the development of Ontario’s economy by helping create new jobs, products, services, technologies and businesses.“Our government understands the incredible opportunity that exists to create good jobs and grow our economy in the innovative sectors that are helping us move towards a greener environment. By partnering with Ontario Centres of Excellence to promote the next generation of clean technologies that reduce emissions and increase efficiency, we can improve Ontario’s environment and our thriving innovation ecosystem at the same time,” said Reza Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation, Ontario.
The government is also investing $25 million in a Green Smart energy efficiency program to help small and medium-sized businesses reduce emissions and become more energy efficient. The program will be delivered by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canada’s largest trade and industry association.“Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time and our future depends on the choices we make today. It’s imperative we take action on all fronts to effectively reduce greenhouse gas pollution while building a stronger economy. By helping industry and businesses adopt homegrown clean technologies, we’ll protect the air we breathe and create the jobs that foster economic growth and build stronger communities,” said Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Ontario.
Ontario’s new $325-million Green Investment Fund commits money to projects that fight climate change while growing the economy and creating jobs. These investments will help transform the way we live, move, work and adapt to our environment by building strong and sustainable communities.
