Grey Matter for. Green Economy

Transcription

1 Grey Matter for Green Economy

2 cluster economy Écotech Québec Écotech Québec cleantech healthy energy green clean competitivity entreprises green innovation prosperity makers Écotech Québec Cleantech Cluster Écotech Québec works to position Québec as a centre of excellence for cleantech in North America. It is a major player in the development of this industry, which is recognized as an engine of wealth creation and prosperity. It helps make Québec more competitive, greener and healthier. Through its initiatives and activities, Écotech Québec supports the design, development, adoption, commercialization and export of Québec-based clean technologies. The first organization of its kind in Canada, Écotech Québec represents and brings together all of Québec s cleantech stakeholders from across the province: Major end-user companies and organizations Innovative companies Research and development centres Finance community Technology transfer centres Labour unions Education and training institutions Associations working in the cleantech sector As a non-profit organization, Écotech Québec relies on the financial support of the private sector, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the governments of Québec and Canada. Écotech Québec is a carbon neutral organization. In accordance with ISO and the principles of relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency and accuracy, Écotech Québec s GHG footprint has been quantified and offset by the purchase of carbon credits with the collaboration of National Écocrédit.

3 The cleantech sector The cleantech sector is booming. Around the globe, both supply and demand are increasing. Several factors are behind the strong growth of this sector, which will generate an estimated US$ 400 billion in global revenues by In 2011, Canadian investment in cleantech rose 43%. 2 Climate change and public opinion have, of course, played a major role in this change. Energy security, the price of traditional forms of energy and the growing energy needs of emerging countries are also important levers for the development of alternative energies. Note that, considering the low cost of electricity in Québec, the price of traditional energy (rising in most countries) is not a major driver of cleantech in Québec. DRIVERS The economy Regulatory framework Venture capital investment Climate change Price of traditional energy sources Energy security Public opinion CLEANTECH SPIN-OFFS Job creation Economic growth Competitiveness Innovative products and services Reduction in GHG emissions Increased energy independence Québec boasts several major assets: A natural point of entry to the North American continent with access to a market of 450 million consumers, thanks to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) A pool of skilled workers, 75% of which have a high school diploma or higher A regulatory framework that stimulates economic growth and investment Electricity production in Québec comes from 98% renewable sources Provincial GDP that represents nearly 20% of Canada s GHG emissions from Québec account for only 11.9% of all Canadian emissions (the lowest emissions per capita of any Canadian province) Québec is home to some 1000 organizations associated in some way with clean technology, including 450 innovative companies and over 200 research groups. To discover these organizations, consult our interactive map at

4 A dynamic Quebec market Québec is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by a global shift towards a greener economy. Several Québec entrepreneurs have successfully developed market niches in the cleantech sector. Écotech Québec conducted a study of market trends in the international cleantech industry and combined this information with Québec s assets in this sector. The study then identified the most promising sectors and those with strong potential for enhancing the prosperity of Québec. Most promising sectors: Energy efficiency Ü Industrial process optimization Hydroelectricity Ü Engineering consulting, marine turbines, mini power stations Waste Ü Vehicle equipment manufacturers, recycling, waste energy Biomass Ü Biofuels, forest biomass, waste energy Sectors with strong potential: Water treatment Ü Treatment and purification Transport Ü Batteries, charging stations, ground transportation Soil remediation Ü Bio-treatment of soil Green chemistry Ü Biomaterials and bioprocesses Wind energy Ü Wind turbines in Nordic environments Solar energy Ü Solar thermal power, space heating After taking all factors into account, both global and local, Écotech Québec has decided to work with relevant ecosystem constituents to develop a coordinated approach, based on concrete actions, to help the Québec cleantech industry reach its full potential. Écotech Québec in action working for businesses and the ecosystem Focussing its efforts on two specific targets, businesses and the ecosystem, Écotech Québec develops activities aimed at both the business environment (generating a major impact on the sector) and the challenges mentioned by member businesses and organizations. To have an effect on both targets, Écotech Québec has developed four main lines of action: Knowledge and networking directly target businesses and organizations. Écotech Québec s various activities and training opportunities offer concrete solutions to the needs expressed by ecosystem constituents and the challenges they have identified. Although positioning and public policy activities have an impact on businesses, they are aimed more broadly at the entire cleantech sector with the goal of boosting its recognition and developing specific practices and measures that can affect it.

5 Strategic lines of action KNOWLEDGE Increase the level of knowledge about business opportunities in Québec and abroad Support the intellectual property strategies of businesses Learn more about Québec s cleantech needs NETWORKING Offer more targeted networking activities Increase the involvement of major end-users and influencers POSITIONING Boost recognition of the cleantech sector, particularly among end-users and specifiers Increase the visibility of entrepreneurs in the appropriate forums PUBLIC POLICY Help develop public policy at the regulatory, fiscal and financial level to encourage the growth of the cleantech sector and boost its national and international competitiveness Influence public decision makers, particularly with regard to regulations, taxation and funding Mobilization into task forces These four lines of action provide the inspiration for Écotech Québec s task forces. These work groups are used to mobilize the members of the cluster around common issues, thus developing and strengthening the synergies between the various stakeholders in the ecosystem. FOCUS DELIVERY Major Project inno+ ÉCOTECH QUÉBEC Cleantech Cluster Secretary Operational excellence of secretariat FOCUS DELIVERY FOCUS CONTENT FOCUS CONTENT Regulatory Framework and Taxation Financing Innovation / Commercialization Branding / Internationalization People

6 Shared challenges and concrete actions The task forces have set mandates and goals based on the specific challenges facing the cluster. The task forces are also flexible initiatives that can take advantage of opportunities by adjusting to changing circumstances. Regulatory Framework and Taxation Encourage political decision makers to embrace a more consistent and competitive regulatory and taxation framework to promote the growth of the cleantech sector and boost its national and international competitiveness. Financing Ensure that the funding chain meets the concrete needs of the ecosystem s stakeholders to enable the acceleration of cleantech development in Québec and, in the event of deficiencies, identify and propose practical and realistic solutions to cover the shortfall. Innovation / Commercialization Implement tools to accelerate the development of relationships between users and suppliers and thus create forums for the exchange, development and adoption of innovation. Branding / Internationalization Increase the notoriety of Québec expertise, here and elsewhere, to generate even more business opportunities for sector stakeholders and accelerate the development and commercialization of clean technology. People Have a direct impact on the training and employability of current and future skilled workers as well as on their awareness of the sector as an industry of choice, to ensure a better alignment between the supply and demand of labour and training. MAJOR PROJECT inno+ Respond to concrete problems raised by major private and public contractors, by suggesting innovative solutions from Québec technology SMEs.

7 Targeted activities Major results Cleantech Forum Annual meeting The 2012 edition hosted 13 cleantech clusters from 10 European countries, creating numerous business opportunities for cleantech stakeholders. Summit on Parliament Hill This annual event convenes political decision makers, senior bureaucrats, ministers and MNAs from the various political parties to accelerate the development and commercialization of clean technologies. Carrefour politique Meetings with public decision makers to discuss the issues and opportunities associated with clean technology. inno+ MC These workshops bring together potential users and technology SMEs to find innovative solutions to concrete problems. ConneXion These workshops provide specialized training and strategic information. International development activities Targeted visits and meetings with delegations generate business opportunities in the four corners of the world.

8 Some of our members, key players in the clean technology sector

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10 Prestige Partners Publics Partners International Partners Aclima Espagne Colorado Clean Energy Cluster États-Unis Copenhage Cleantech Cluster Danemark Eco World Styria Autriche Lombardy Energy Cluster Italie Olso Renewable Energy and Environment Cluster Norvège Singapore Sustainability Alliance Singapour Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster États-Unis Tenerrdis France Renewable Energy Hamburg Allemagne Incheon Technopark Corée du Sud Yixing Industry Park for Environmental Science and Technology Chine ACTION New England États-Unis Ministério do Meio Ambiente Brésil World Trade Center 413, St-Jacques Street, suite 500 Montreal (Quebec) H2Y 1N9 Tél.: