In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, this public statement of environmental and economic effects has been prepared for the renewal of the Clean Growth Hub.
Summary
The Clean Growth Hub, co-led by Natural Resources Canada and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, was established through Budget 2017 as part of the Government’s historic investment ($2.3B) towards advancing research, development, demonstration and adoption of clean technology (cleantech) and as a key element driving the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and the Innovation and Skills Plan. The proposal was renewed in Budget 2024 and continues to support the innovation and adoption of new clean technologies by helping innovators and adopters navigate federal cleantech programs and services. The Clean Growth Hub does not directly fund projects but instead provides tailored advice to cleantech companies to help them understand and access available federal support. Cleantech includes any process, product or service that reduces environmental impacts and is not limited to climate-related technologies.
The Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment found that the overall environmental impacts of the The Clean Growth Hub are likely to be net positive.
Strategic Environmental Analysis
The strategic environmental analysis undertaken for this proposal determined that it will result in indirect, positive environmental effects through increased adoption and commercialization of supported cleantech in the natural resources sector, as well as other sectors of the economy. Ensuring a clearer path for Clean Growth Hub clients to access supports encourages cleantech innovation and adoption in Canada, which can contribute to Canada’s net zero transition, increase Canada’s resilience to climate change, and help realize other environmental benefits.
Cleantech projects could entail a wide range of positive environmental effects, including resulting in an indirect reduction of Canada’s GHG emission over the long term. Through its support of cleantech, the Clean Growth Hub indirectly contributes towards achieving Canada’s 2050 net-zero emissions target.
Furthermore, the Clean Growth Hub could also have indirect positive effects in environmental areas such as energy efficiency, renewable and non-emitting energy, etc., potentially resulting in positive environmental effects, such as improved air quality or waste reduction. The Clean Growth Hub may also have positive effects on nature and biodiversity by indirectly supporting cleantech projects related to bioproducts, agriculture, forestry, etc., thereby reducing their impacts on ecosystem health.
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy considerations
This federal action directly supports the following 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal:
- Goal 9: “Foster Innovation and Green Infrastructure in Canada” by focusing on enabling the clean technology sector to grow and produce the associated environmental and economic benefits. Clean technology projects provide a wide range of positive environmental effects, including reducing GHG emissions.
In accordance with guidance under the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, this proposal’s strategic environmental and economic assessment did not include a strategic economic analysis due to the nature and scope of the proposal.