Canadian technology can help in the fight against greenhouse gases. Trudeau must act now

As Canadians wonder if the recent federal election has really made a difference, the new Trudeau government must act quickly to deliver on its climate change promises while boosting the green economy.

It’s time to roll up our sleeves and start turning words into action when it comes to creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions through new technologies.

The climate change platform planks we saw in the election were varied and at times creative, often containing new ideas that take advantage of emerging technologies, the deployment of hydrogen, popular sentiment and even the need to raise a lot of money to start a green economy.

For example, the Liberals have touted the benefits of flow through equities, a federal tax incentive program that has enabled the private sector to invest billions of dollars to build the mining, oil and gas sectors, making Canada a world leader in these industries. The Conservatives also felt it was a laudable campaign promise and pledged to put flow-through shares into their funds. plan.

The Trudeau team actually included these expanded tax measures in their budget in April. Now that the distractions of planning and fighting elections are over, the hard work can be done. The economy demands it. The environment needs it.

These transfer funds would directly contribute to the development of the green economy, the creation of green jobs and the “greening” of the country’s emissions profile.

Opening the door to that kind of money by dangling attractive tax incentives for investors has already proven to be a huge catalyst for job creation in cities across the vast Canadian landscape that otherwise would not have been successful in attracting. lucrative jobs in the mining, oil and petroleum gas sectors.

The targeted liberal platform net-zero emissions, but the target date is decades away – committing to reducing greenhouse gases by up to 45% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.

The Prime Minister would do himself – and the world – a favor by recognizing the immediate and dramatic reductions in carbon emissions achievable by focusing on the transport sector.

Transportation accounts for about 25 percent of carbon emissions in Canada and the we It is estimated that one billion diesel engines are used worldwide. It is an attractive target for reducing emissions, regardless of the measure. Canada must promote the commercialization of new technologies to reduce emissions from diesel engines. Sometimes the fruit at hand is worth grabbing.

Of course, the world is heading for a possible deployment of affordable long-haul, battery-powered transport vehicles, not to mention heavy-duty vehicles used for mining and construction. But we’re not there yet technologically, or in terms of affordability and feasibility in North America.

In the meantime, there are effective emissions reduction technologies available to governments and private companies involved in shipping, trucking, mining and other industries – technologies that can reduce greenhouse gases. squeezes the deadliest and most damaging.

Waiting for new technologies and the billions of dollars needed to deploy them in a meaningful way will take years – years that should no longer be wasted.

The use of effective Canadian technology in the fight against greenhouse gases is good for national jobs, good for the environment and good public policy. And acting now can make a difference.

When it comes to reducing greenhouse gases, Canadians deserve clear timelines, short-term reduction targets, and even more creative thinking to tap the vast pools of investment and technology capital that can provide rapid solutions to pollution.

Sometimes short-term thinking is needed, especially when immediate action can help stave off the climate crisis.

James Murray Payne is President and CEO of dynaCERT Inc., a Toronto-based carbon reduction technology company with worldwide sales.