CANADA NEW ENERGY EXPORT POTENTIAL HUGE

Canada needs policy fix for green growth, studies; Canada's green exports rank fourteenth in 2008
Susan Taylor, March 25, 2010 (Reuters)

"Canada needs a clear, sustained climate policy to help its nascent green energy sector cash in on a rapidly growing global market for climate-friendly technologies, two reports said…

"Governments must set stable policy and incentives, invest in research and remove trade barriers to make Canada an attractive play to develop, sell and adopt green technology, [Global Climate Friendly Trade: Canada’s Chance to Clean Up from] the Conference Board of Canada said…It noted that the Climate Change Business Journal estimates the sector's size at over US$600 billion in 2008… [S]ome observers forecast it will become the world's third-largest in a decade…[though] Canada ranked fourteenth among countries exporting green technology in 2008, with exports valued at about C$4 billion…"

Better policies close the gap. (click to enlarge)

"That 2 percent market share trailed Italy, France, Britain, Mexico, Belgium and Denmark. Germany was the top exporter, followed by China, the United States and Japan…The value of Canadian green exports declined by 2 percent annually, on average, between 2002 and 2008…"

Better policies move the burden and opportunity to the private sector. (click to enlarge)

"Another study of 160 companies by a government agency that backs clean technology said the picture at home was more promising. The sector grew at an annual rate of 47 percent during the recession of 2008-09…It is set to grow 117 percent between 2010 and 2012, said Sustainable Development Technology Canada…[which] operates two funds worth a combined C$1.5 billion ($1.47 billion) to support projects addressing climate change and demonstration-scale renewable fuel facilities…

"Its report sets out a game plan for Canada to establish 20 C$100 million cleantech companies by 2020…[saying] Canadian companies urgently need better access to capital, improved policy and more effective management of individual companies…The study found that 86 percent of Canadian clean technology companies have revenue below C$5 million…"