Canada's Clean Energy Playbook Aims to Unlock $600B in Annual Exports
Canada's transition to a clean energy economy is a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity that requires a more strategic approach, according to a new report from the Transition Accelerator. The report, titled 'Canada's Opportunity Playbook', updates and expands on the organization's 2021 Pathways to Net-Zero report, which identified 14 sectors that collectively represent over one third of Canada's GDP and more than 90% of its emissions.
The new report assesses over 160 technologies across industries from personal transportation to mining, agriculture, and oil and gas, to identify those that can be deployed today, those that need targeted support, and those that are ready to be ruled out. The authors argue that Canada should focus on building the new energy system, rather than managing the old one.
The report highlights key insights, including the importance of investing in sectors and technologies that will drive clean growth, prioritizing strategic focus over spreading resources thin, and recognizing the foundation role of a modern electricity system. It also emphasizes the need to act quickly in areas with clear, proven solutions, such as buildings and personal mobility.
The report predicts that a focused approach could position Canada to compete for approximately $600 billion in annual clean energy export opportunities by 2035, in high-value sectors like battery materials, low-carbon aluminum, critical mineral processing, and EV manufacturing.