An area of opportunity refers to a focus area with significant potential for growth, improvement, or investment, often driven by emerging market needs and/or technological advancements. Identifying these opportunities, tailored to each region’s unique strengths, helps businesses, governments, and organizations make informed and strategic decisions for Canada’s clean future.
In addition to these opportunities, the Regional Tables are working to improve regulatory efficiencies. Streamlining approval processes is crucial for attracting investment and ensuring timely project completion, while maintaining public safety, Indigenous rights and environmental protection. For example, through the Regional Tables, the Government of Canada is collaborating with British Columbia on a regulatory efficiency pilot project. These efforts help align federal, provincial, territorial and Indigenous approval processes, driving better outcomes for all.
Explore areas of opportunity
Below are key areas of opportunity identified under the Regional Tables to date. Click on a province or territory to view jurisdictions currently advancing these opportunities. As priorities continue to be developed and publicized, more information will be added to showcase progress across all regions.
Carbon management
The process of measuring, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions to minimize environmental impact and combat climate change. It involves tracking emissions, adopting energy-efficient practices, using renewable energy, and investing in projects that reduce or capture CO2 emissions. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint and work toward carbon neutrality.
Carbon management - British Columbia Carbon management - Newfoundland and Labrador Carbon management - Nova Scotia
Clean energy and clean tech
Clean energy, and more broadly ultra-low-carbon energy, refers to energy sources and technologies that produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions during their generation or use. Examples include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, nuclear, and tidal and wave power. Clean tech innovations, such as energy storage systems and smart grids, further enhance the efficiency and sustainability of these energy sources.
Clean energy - Nova Scotia Clean energy - Prince Edward Island
Clean fuels
Energy sources that produce little to no harmful emissions, such as hydrogen and biofuels, are considered clean fuels. These fuels help reduce pollution and greenhouse gases.
Clean fuels - British Columbia Clean fuels - Newfoundland and Labrador Clean fuels - Nova Scotia Clean fuels - Prince Edward Island
Critical minerals
Natural resources essential for the production of technologies, energy systems, and industrial processes, but with limited availability or supply risks, are known as critical minerals. These include minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, which are crucial for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and electronics.
Critical minerals - British Columbia Critical minerals - Newfoundland and Labrador Critical minerals - Nova Scotia
Electrification
The process of replacing technologies or systems that rely on traditional fuels (such as gasoline or diesel) with those that use electricity as their power source. Examples include electrifying transportation (e.g., electric vehicles) or heating (e.g., electric heat pumps). Electrification of the economy is the broader concept that aims to achieve large-scale environmental and economic benefits such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainability goals.
Clean electricity - British Columbia Clean electricity - Newfoundland and Labrador Clean electricity - Nova Scotia Clean electricity - Prince Edward Island
Forestry
The forest sector manages and processes resources such as timber and paper, prioritizing conservation and sustainability to balance economic, environmental and social factors, and ensuring forests continue to provide low-carbon resources, support biodiversity and aid climate change mitigation.