Moving towards a clean energy economy not only reduces our dependence on carbon emitting fuels, but has the potential to create thousands of new jobs. Subsidies for clean energy installations will create new jobs in that industry. Tax credits and rebates for retrofitting existing buildings for increased energy efficiency will create more skilled labour jobs. By increasing economic incentives for sustainable technologies, basic economic activities will become more localized, creating diverse local jobs and more socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

For a concise list of federal and provincial sustainability-related incentives, see the Going Green Tables.

Climate change and Business: The problem and the solution

There is now more and more proof that climate change is currently having — and will continue to have — serious detrimental impacts on the environment, economy and society. The business-as-usual model is no longer sufficient.

Climate change threatens to cause major upheavals in all areas of our society, either directly or through a domino effect of rising prices, higher transportation costs, declining returns on investment, and much more. No matter the company, climate change should be of major concern to everyone.

Locally and globally, businesses are taking a long look in the mirror. By critically examining what aspects of the business could be modified — whether this means greening the supply chain, building retrofits for energy efficiency (federal and provincial grants are available), encouraging telecommuting, and a number of other measures — business owners can manage climate change risks, save money, attract new employees and customers, and raise their profile in the community.

"Climate change presents a unique challenge for economics: it is the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen."

Lord Nicholas Stern, The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change

Read more on Climate Change and Business

Projects and initiatives

Alberta Acts on Climate Change was involved in putting on a 2-day retreat called Meaningful Work: Green Jobs + Social Innovation, designed to assist young professionals interested in creating their own opportunities for green jobs.The retreat was profiled in the May issue of Unlimited Magazine.

Thrive Calgary, Calgary's Community Economic Development Network, is hosting a year-long series of lectures and community events. Topics range from stimulating the green collar work force to corporate social responsibility.