RENEWABLE FUELS A SUCCESS FOR GOVERNMENTS A SURVEY OF 1,750 CANADIANS JUNE 2015
CANADA S LEADING VOICE FOR RENEWABLE FUELS For over 30 years, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) has been the national authority for Canada s domestic renewable fuels industry. CRFA membership includes biofuel producers, petroleum producers and distributors, fuel retailers, and farmers.
BACKGROUND Since 2006, Canada s biofuels industry has expanded significantly. Today, 26 renewable fuels plants are operating across the country, generating over $3.5 billion in gross economic benefits and thousands of jobs every year. Biofuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, make fuel cleaner and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 99% compared to fossil fuels. Biofuel mandates remain the best policy tool to make meaningful GHG reductions in the transportation sector. A recent nationwide poll explored feelings about Canada s renewable fuels industry, support for biofuels policies, and whether Canadians want to see more government support for the sector. The survey was conducted online by Abacus Data Inc. with 1,750 Canadians aged 18 and over from April 6 to April 9, 2015. A random sample of panelists was invited to complete the survey from a large representative panel of Canadians, recruited and managed by Research Now, one of the world s leading provider of online research sample.
KEY FINDINGS Canadians have a strong affinity for renewable fuels and those who produce renewable fuels. Most (88%) Canadians believe that more renewable fuels should be produced in Canada and that government should do more to promote renewable fuels. Canadians would like to see more renewable fuels production in Canada. 88% 29% 59% 85% Think government should do more to promote renewable fuels. 33% Strongly agree 55% Agree Canadians feel pride in Canada s biofuels industry 4
SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLE FUEL PRODUCERS Canada s renewable fuels sector is viewed very positively across industry sectors and across the country. With a large number of supporters and small number of opponents, there is little risk associated with supporting of biofuels. There is majority support for renewable fuel producers across the country, and no real differences across demographic and regional subgroups. Farmers 58% 37% Canada (1750) 1% 4% 57% 33% 10% Renewable Fuel companies Forest products companies Mining companies 28% 18% 11% 57% 56% 51% 22% 31% 12% 3% 4% 7% BC (376) AB (141) SK/MB (159) ON (616) 56% 52% 53% 59% 37% 37% 39% 31% 7% 11% 8% 10% Pipeline companies 12% 42% 32% 14% QC (254) 57% 31% 12% Oil/gas companies 12% 40% 33% 15% Atlantic (204) 59% 33% 8% Positive Neutral Negative
SUPPORT FOR CANADA S RENEWABLE FUELS POLICIES The majority of those polled support biofuels mandates. 67% said they would support increasing the biodiesel mandate compared to only 10% opposed. 13% 23% 5% Ethanol Mandate 64% 10% 22% Increase to 5% Biodiesel 68% 6% 31% When told about the federal biofuels mandates many (31%) said their impression of government action to deal with climate change improved.
CANADIAN S VIEWS ON CLIMATE CHANGE 10% 11% Do you believe that climate change is happening? Over half (61%) want government to do more to deal with climate change compared to only 6% who want government to do less. Views on climate change are fairly consistent across demographics and regions. 79% The majority (79%) of Canadians believe climate change is happening and is caused by human activity. 61% WANT MORE ACTION LESS 6%
CONCLUSION Supporting renewable fuels has many political upsides, and few downsides. Being seen with those who produce renewable fuels may have positive benefits since 85% of Canadians have a favourable impression of renewable fuel companies. Eight in ten Canadians believe that renewable fuels are innovative, sustainable, clean, and efficient products that they need which help create great jobs that are good for their province. Two in three Canadians (67%) support increasing the level of biodiesel from 2% to 5%. Only one in ten were opposed to the idea. When told about the federal biofuels mandates many Canadians (31%) said their impression of government action to deal with climate change improved. 61% of Canadians want government to do more to deal with climate change compared to only 6% who want government to do less. At least one in three Canadians would like all political parties to be more supportive of renewable fuels than they currently are.
APPENDIX: CANADA S BIOFUELS INDUSTRY CRFA members are transforming fuels and where they come from. Today, 26 biofuels plants are operating across the country, developing clean technologies, making new products, and expanding the renewable fuel supply. Yukon Whitehorse BRITISH COLUMBIA NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Yellowknife Nunavut Iqaluit Ethanol 5% Mandate ~1.8B litres/year Biodiesel 2% Mandate ~720M litres/year $3.5 Billion ECONOMIC BENEFITS Every year Canadian biofuels facilities generate billions in economic activity. 14,000+ JOB CREATION Canadian biofuels facilities have created thousands of quality jobs many in rural areas. Alberta Saskatchewan St. John s Victoria Edmonton Manitoba Regina Winnipeg Ontario Quebec Fredericton Ottawa Toronto Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Halifax Nova scotia New Brunswick $3.7 Billion RETURN ON INVESTMENT Biofuels investments return billions back to government.
APPENDIX: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Canada s transportation sector accounts for 1/3 of the country s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions the single largest source. Biofuels make fuel cleaner and remain the best way to make meaningful reductions in GHG emissions. Renewable fuels are practical, reliable, and already removing 4.2 megatonnes of carbon from the environment every year. COMPARED TO FOSSIL FUELS ETHANOL REDUCES GHGS BY 1M 62 % RENEWABLE DIESEL REDUCES GHGS BY 95% 50% 99 % USING BIOFUELS IS LIKE REMOVING 1MILLION CARS FROM OUR ROADS/YEAR 50% Reduction in hydrocarbon emissions Fewer Smog forming particulates Decrease in Carbon Monoxide
CONTACT ANDREA KENT President a.kent@greenfuels.org DEBORAH ELSON Vice President, Public Affairs & Membership d.elson@greenfuels.org CANADIAN RENEWABLE FUELS ASSOCIATION 350 SPARKS STREET, SUITE 605 OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA K1R 7S8 greenfuels.org evolutionandgrowth.ca