The Canadian Labour Congress has partnered with climate campaigners to build a blueprint for creating One Million Climate Jobs in Canada.
One Million Climate Jobs: A Challenge for Canada was released Jan. 29 by the CLC, Green Economy Network and the Climate Action Network Canada. CCNB was proud to support this work as a member of Climate Action Network Canada.
The document presents hard data and a roadmap for governments to ramp up job creation by seizing opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
There are two key take-aways for New Brunswickers:
- Canada can create 290,000 jobs and reduce carbon pollution by 44-110 million megatons (mt) by investing $23.3 billion in renewable energy.
- We could create nearly half a million jobs (438,000) across the country by investing $30 billion over a five-year period to improve the energy efficiency of homes and buildings. The move would also slash our carbon pollution between 32-126 mt.
That second point is low-hanging fruit for New Brunswick — our province is home to the second-oldest building stock in the country. Let’s not miss these opportunities, because, as Bloomberg Business reports, lots of other jurisdictions around the world are buying into the benefits of renewable energy full stop.
Despite bargain prices not seen in a decade on coal, oil and gas, Bloomberg reported last month that renewables recorded another record-breaking year, with more money invested ($329 billion) and more capacity added (121 gigawatts) than ever before.
Bloomberg says China’s demand is the biggest of all countries for renewable energy. Renewable energy markets are also expanding rapidly in Mexico, Chile and South Africa. As developing countries expand their energy generation capacity, they are racing to include solar and wind in their energy mix.
And while solar and wind energy are being added to the grid, the role of natural gas in new energy coming on-line globally is diminishing.
The Conservation Council is committed to raising the profile of solar and other forms of renewable energy here at home through our Renewables Solution NB project.
