Low Carbon Economy Challenge will leverage Canadian ingenuity to reduce carbon pollution and drive clean growth

VANCOUVER, March 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadians understand that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand in hand. The Government of Canada is committed to growing the economy; creating good middle-class jobs; and taking action that ensures a safe climate, healthy environment, and prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, launched the over-$500-million Low Carbon Economy Challenge, in Vancouver.

The Challenge will leverage Canadian ingenuity to reduce emissions and generate clean growth, and it is an important part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

The Low Carbon Economy Challenge will consider projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, under two streams:  

1. Champions: Valued at over $450 million, the Champions stream is open to applicants of any size. Eligible applicants include all provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations.
2. Partnerships: Valued at $50 million, the Partnerships stream is limited to Indigenous communities and organizations, small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small municipalities. The Partnerships stream will help ensure a broad range of Canadians are able to participate in the Challenge.

Successful projects will be selected based primarily on their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The evaluation will also consider a project's potential contribution to clean growth, energy savings, and job creation.

The Low Carbon Economy Fund will provide funding until 2021-22 and will create jobs for Canadians for years to come.

Quotes

"Everywhere I travel in Canada, I hear about incredible climate solutions. The Challenge fund we're launching today will tap into that ingenuity to cut pollution, create jobs, and spark economic opportunities. I can't wait to see the ideas come in from coast to coast to coast." 
? Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

• The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change is Canada's plan?developed with provinces and territories and in consultation with Indigenous Peoples?to meet our emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement, build climate resilience, and grow the economy. Canada's target is to reduce emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels, by 2030.
• The Low Carbon Economy Fund is part of the Government of Canada's support for the Pan-Canadian Framework. It is comprised of the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund and the Low Carbon Economy Challenge.
• The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund provides $1.4 billion to provinces and territories that have adopted the Pan-Canadian Framework to help them deliver on leadership commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund has provided support for a wide range of projects, such as reforestation efforts and energy-saving renovations for homes and commercial buildings, universities and colleges, and industry. It also provides assistance to homeowners and small businesses to save money on energy bills.

Associated Links

• Low Carbon Economy Challenge
• The Low Carbon Economy Fund
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page  
Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada