CanREA

The Pembina Institute has just published a great new report that reviews studies from all over the world on the job creation potential of greenhouse gas reduction strategies.  The key finding for those of us working for a transition to renewable energy is that “renewable energy [and energy efficiency] are the more labour intensive choices, creating more direct jobs than fossil fuel alternatives [including carbon capture and storage]”

The report along with a slide presentation and back-up appendices can be downloaded from http://www.pembina.org/pub/2178

The report is also quite definitive about how Canada is falling behind in the creation of green jobs. “We estimate that the federal government’s economic stimulus funding for infrastructure could have created nearly three times as many jobs if it had been invested entirely in clean energy.” says the report’s author Clare Demerse in her blog.  Demerse goes on to say that “If the government wants to make the right choices for Canadian workers and the environment, the 2011 budget won’t see the end of popular and effective clean energy programs. Instead, a green jobs budget would cut fossil fuel subsidies and offer strong new support for clean energy and energy efficiency.”