EDMONTON, ALBERTA — (Marketwire) — 05/14/12 — The will invest $8.4 million over the next three years in projects aimed at discovering, developing and deploying solutions for biological greenhouse gas emissions in the province. Biological emissions include those from industries vital to the health and economic well-being of Albertans such as crop and livestock production, the forest industry and municipal waste handling.
has shown that with additional investment to overcome the existing barriers, there is the potential to reduce emissions from biological sources by as much as 23 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, which would make a significant contribution towards achieving Alberta–s climate change strategy goal of reducing emissions by 50 megatonnes per year by 2020.
“The CCEMC knows that there is tremendous potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta through biological projects,” said CCEMC Chair Eric Newell. “Through this work, we will strive to eliminate barriers so we can fully realize the potential of greenhouse gas reductions through biological projects.”
The CCEMC has already made significant investments in projects aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy conservation, renewable energy, cleaner energy production and carbon capture and storage and recognizes that net reductions from biological systems holds significant positive potential for the province. Alberta has already demonstrated significant leadership in this area and could emerge as a global resource for biological greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies.
The CCEMC will manage its investment in biological projects through expert resources at . Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions is a government agency that leads and coordinates science and innovation to grow prosperity in Alberta–s agriculture, food and forestry sectors.
“Reducing net greenhouse gas emissions from biological systems is often linked to improving efficiency, enhancing innovation, and diversifying the value chains of the agricultural and forest industries. Working with CCEMC to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gases is a natural complement to AI Bio Solution–s portfolio,” said AI Bio Solutions CEO Dr. Stan Blade.
AI Bio Solutions Executive Director Dr. Susan Wood-Bohm will lead and develop the program and work with an expert advisory committee to identify the best opportunities for investment in the areas of direct emission reductions, material switching, biological carbon sequestration, waste stream management and emerging opportunities. Barriers to implementing already known strategies often include high capital costs and challenges in quantifying emissions reductions, for example, and these elements will also be considered.
Specific projects will be identified in the months ahead. Each is expected to bring together the expertise from industry, academia and government, as well as other relevant stakeholders to address specific opportunities with measurable outcomes.
The CCEMC is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to establish or participate in funding for initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support adaptation. The CCEMC invests in the discovery, development and operational deployment of clean technologies.
Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions is a publicly funded board-governed corporation that works with partners to identify, coordinate and fund research projects designed to help solve industry challenges with solutions that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits. Through this investment in science and innovation, AI Bio aims to help create new technologies and products that will grow Alberta–s agriculture, food and forest.
Contacts:
Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation
Celia Sollows
780-239-4150
Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions
Marie Cusak
780-918-4620