Category Archives: Resource Based Economy

EDMONTON, Alberta, April 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Using drones to help reforest remote boreal environments. Reducing methane emissions from cattle by up to 90 per cent through feed additives. Leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize energy usage at a pulp mill. These are three of 17 technology innovations that will receive funding from the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA).

Albertas Minister of Environment and Parks, Jason Nixon, announced the winners of the Food, Farming, and Forestry Challenge with ERA CEO, Steve MacDonald, on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at ERAs Lessons Learned Workshop and SPARK Speaker Series online event.

ERA is committing $33 million for 17 projects with a combined value of $107 million in public and private investment. Funding comes from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund and supports innovation in the agriculture, agri-food, and forestry sectors. If successful, these technology innovations will lead to cumulative GHG reductions of up to 2.7 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030.

Agriculture and forestry are critically important to the economy of Alberta. This investment, driven by the TIER regulation, will help advance innovative processes and technologies to support the provinces bioeconomy and reduce emissions. Its builds on Albertas historical strengths in agriculture, forestry, and land use.Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta

Agriculture and forestry were bright spots in our economy in 2020 and will continue to drive our economic recovery into 2021. This support for our foresters will ensure that our industry, through innovation, remains competitive and sustainable. It will also support our farmers and ranchers who grow high-quality, safe food for not only Alberta families, but for families all around the world. This $33 million investment will help Alberta meet the demands of a growing population in both an economically efficient and environmentally sensible way.Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Government of Alberta

Albertas food, farming and forestry sectors are critical to achieving Albertas economic and environmental goals and their innovative capacity is world class. The projects announced today will create jobs, attract investment, open new markets and deliver it all with improved environmental performance.Steve MacDonald, CEO, ERA

A total of 150 applications were received requesting a total of $383 million for projects worth $1.5 billion. From the 17 approved projects, four are categorized as natural solutions, seven are in the bioindustry and bioenergy sector, and six projects are in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

These technologies are at the pilot, demonstration, or first-of-kind commercial deployment stage of development. They include:

NATURAL SOLUTIONS

Cenovus Energy Inc. Linear Restoration Equipment Modernization and DeploymentTotal project value: $1,800,000 | ERA commitment: $890,000Provide industry with more effective tools to remediate linear disturbances in the boreal and foothill forests of Alberta created by the geophysical exploration for oil and gas.

Saltworks Technologies Inc.GHG Saving and Internationally Scalable Ultra High Recovery Industrial Wastewater Treatment at an Albertan Agri-Chem FacilityTotal project value: $9,500,000 | ERA commitment: $2,600,000Treat and reuse industrial wastewater to avoid land-spreading and/or use of disposal wells.

West FraserProduct and Production Innovations for Using Albertas Surplus Poplar to Enhance Carbon SequestrationTotal project value: $1,600,000 | ERA commitment: $500,000Develop and test anovelprocess for making oriented strand board and engineered strand-based products. The newmaterialswill utilize Albertas surplus poplar resource.

Flash Forest Commercial Pilots and Demonstrations of Rapid Drone Reforestation Technology Total Project value: $5,450,000 | ERA commitment: $1,800,000Utilize dronereforestationtechnology andhardware, aerial mapping software, automation, and biological seed pod technology to reforest boreal areas at a rapid pace.

BIOINDUSTRY AND BIOENERGY

Steeper Energy Canada LtdThe Conversion of Forestry Residue to Advanced Biofuels in AlbertaProject value: $12,610,000 | ERA commitment: $5,000,000Convert waste biomass from forests and fields into a biocrude with lower oxygen and water content compared to other biocrudes.

KorovaFeeders Ltd.New Production SystemProject value: $20,350,000 | ERA commitment: $5,000,000New productive system and standard for feedlot anaerobic digestion and waste management.

SEPPURE Pte. LtdSustainable Nanofiltration Technology for Vegetable Oil RefiningProject value: $3,600,000 | ERA commitment: $1,800,000Transformative technology for separation and filtration applications in food sector and beyond.

ATCORNG from Pulp Mill WasteProject value: $18,670,000 | ERA commitment: $5,000,000Produce valuable renewable natural gas from the pulp mills wastewater treatment anaerobic digestor.

FPInnovationsBio-sourced asphalt from the Canadian forest industryProject value: $1,250,000 | ERA commitment: $350,000Developing a bitumen-lignin asphalt formulation to be used in the paving industry.

Blindman BrewingBrewery GHG reduction Project value: $200,000 | ERA commitment: $102,000Adopt aCO2e capture and reuse technology in its fermentation process to reduce GHG emissions.

Millar Western Forest Products Ltd.Application of Artificial Intelligence at Pulp Refiners to Optimize Energy Usage and Product QualityProject value: $1,460,000| ERA commitment: $730,000Use a Pulp Expert System (PES) driven byartificial intelligence (AI) at the refining stage of the pulping process to reduce energy consumption and improve product quality.

AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD

SynergrazeInc.Cattle Feed Additive for Reducing Methane EmissionsProject value: $15,000,000 | ERA commitment: $5,000,000Commercially grow and process a feed additive for cattle based on a strain of red macroalgae (Asparagopsis) that could potentially reduce methane emissions from cattle.

Livestock Water Recycling, a division of IWR Technologies Ltd.Achieving on-farm carbon neutrality through the datafication of wasteProject value: $1,370,000| ERA commitment: $650,000Use a technology (known as PLANT) to transform paunch manure into two distinct natural fertilizers,reducing on-farm methane emissions by up to 82 per centin cattle processing.

Optimal Agricultural Equipment Ltd.Opti-CartProject value: $1,500,000 | ERA commitment: $638,000Develop a dual-purpose grain cart/seed tender unit for the grain farming industry. This unit is suitable for use as a grain cart in the fall during harvest season and as a seed tender cart in the spring to deliver seed and fertilizer to a seeding tool.

Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaImpact of genomics-enhanced whole herd genetic management platform on reducing beef GHGsProject value: $5,500,000| ERA commitment: $490,000Develop and demonstrate a genomics enhanced whole herd management platform for the beef industry.

Ceres Solutions Ltd.Use Ag waste and craft brewers grain to grow high value mushrooms and produce livestock feedProject value: $2,000,000 | ERA commitment: $500,000Use agricultural by-product (spent brewer grain which would have gone to land fill) as a growing media for specialty mushroom production in a containerized system and use the leftover substrate after mushroom harvesting (calledMycopro) as cattle feed.

Horseshoe PowerDoef'sGreenhouses CO2e and Heat CaptureProject value: $5,100,000| ERA commitment: $2,000,000Construct a 13-acre hydroponic vegetable greenhouse, co-located with a natural gas field, and heat it using waste heat from the adjacent natural gas fired tri-generation (electricity,heatand CO2e) power plant.

ERA funding is essential in promoting ongoing innovation in the forest industry. By enabling investment in novel technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence, ERA will help us to make higher-value products that better meet the needs of international customers, and to keep pushing the boundaries of technological advancement in Alberta. Most important, it will help us optimize use of critical inputs like energy, fibre, and chemicals, and further reduce our carbon footprint. David Anderson, President and CEO, Millar Western

"Breweries are perfect candidates for CO2e capture and utilization because we both produce and use CO2e in-house. We are beyond excited to partner with Emissions Reduction Alberta in bringing a technology to Canada for the first time ever to allow us to create this loop. This is the future and with ERA and our great project partners, we intend to prove the robust financial benefits of the tech so that the 1,100 breweries in Canada adapt it as well and we make a real GHG impact.Kirk Zembal, Co-Founder, Blindman Brewing

ERA is driving innovation that preserves and protects Albertas industries and the environment. An important Albertan agri-chemical producer and Saltworks will collaborate with ERA to install a worlds first commercial-scale low energy wastewater treatment plant that will recycle, refine, and re-use wastewater at over 98 per cent recovery. ERAs funding builds on a successful pilot, enabling this important first commercial installation of technology that decarbonizes Albertas essential industries while making clean water.Dr. Pierce Maguire, Technology Specialist, Saltworks Technologies

Flash Forest is thrilled to partner with Emissions Reduction Alberta for a multi-year expansion of drone reforestation efforts in Western Canada. In addition to the many environmental benefits this funding enables, it supports the creation of an Alberta-based Centre of Excellence, provincial up-skilling and hiring programs, and a potential production hub for Western Canada. We anticipate Flash Forests unique drone and seed pod technology's successful application will significantly drive down tree planting costs while driving up provincial regeneration efforts.Cameron Jones, COO and Co-founder, Flash Forest

"ERAs funding accelerates Synergrazes ability to get our feed additive to cattle producers. It will help advance the technology through to early commercial scale production. Our feed additive reduces methane emissions from cattle by approximately 90 per cent. Alberta cattle producers will gain access to a product that will enhance competitiveness and greatly reduce GHG emissions as a result of ERAs financial support."Tamara Loiselle, CEO and Founder, Synergraze

"ERAs financial support allows West Fraser to undertake development of an innovative wood product. Wood is 50 per cent carbon, so giving consumers alternatives made from wood is an effective method of sequestering additional carbon. ERAs funds will go towards testing a new method of making a high value product from under-utilized deciduous trees. In this way, we are both helping to diversify Alberta's economy and making the best use of the forest resource."Rob Spring, Senior Engineer, West Fraser

Projects were selected through ERAs competitive review process. A team of experts in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and greenhouse gas quantification conducted an independent, rigorous, transparent review overseen by a Fairness Monitor. All recipients are required to produce a final outcomes report that will be shared publicly for the broader benefit of Alberta.

ABOUT EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA (ERA):For more than 10 years, ERA has been investing the revenues from the carbon price paid by large final emitters to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative clean technology solutions. Since ERA was established in 2009, they have committed $646 million toward 204 projects worth $4.5 billion that are helping to reduce GHGs, create competitive industries and are leading to new business opportunities in Alberta. These projects are estimated to deliver cumulative reductions of 37.7 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030.

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$33 million announced to advance technology innovations in Alberta's agriculture, agri-food, and forestry sectors - GlobeNewswire

In this region of the world, it is expected that by 2050 there will be 300 million young people entering the labor market.

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April13, 20216 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The so-called knowledge revolution is based mainly on the rapid growth in scientific and technological innovation for the production of goods and services in an economic system.

The structural and institutional transition from resource-based economies such as oil and gas to knowledge-based economies has become the common denominator between countries in the Middle East and North Africa . In this region of the world, it is expected that by 2050 there will be 300 million young people entering the labor market. Most of the jobs that they will demand do not yet exist and will mostly be in the private sector. Governments are aware of their high dependence on hydrocarbons and several have begun strategic economic transformation plans now that they can invest in developing various sectors.

The reality is that transforming an economy is a difficult and long-term job, so there are several cases that have not achieved it and others that are doing better than others. The region also has a privileged geographic location with access to large markets and the population, in addition to being young, is highly educated. That is why we can learn from the cases of these four Middle Eastern countries that have had economic development plans in place for several years and have found in the creation of an entrepreneurial culture a path for transformation.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This Middle Eastern country with access to the Mediterranean Sea takes the famous nickname of Start-Up Nation. In 2009, Dan Senor and Saul Singer published a book of the same name explaining "the history of Israel's economic miracle" in which they precisely talk about how culture has helped since then to be the country with the most technology-based companies per capita around the world. It is a country that has gone through several wars and does not have enough natural resources, but they have found a way to develop and transfer the knowledge in technology that is normally bought by other foreign companies in the Western world.

According to the2020 Startup Genome ecosystem rankings, Israel's capital, Jerusalem, ranks sixth globally. The culture in this country is one of collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors with a shared sense of responsibility to move the country towards a technological leader. Something that has been developing from the military antecedents and the high migration that exists. According to The Economist , the Israeli entrepreneurship ecosystem is characterized by a can do attitude and high resilience to failure.

Image: Depositphotos.com

Recently attracting the attention of the world for the FIFA soccer world cup and for the lifting of the trade blockade that it had since 2017 with its neighboring countries, today it is an example of transformation and vision for the future. Since 2008, the State of Qatar established an economic development plan called the Qatar National Vision 2030. Its vision is also to diversify the economy to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons that currently represent 90% of the country's income. In this plan, entrepreneurs are recognized as key in the transformation process and a special emphasis is placed on supporting the development of innovation, research and development skills.

In my experience, the case of Qatar is unique because of the special emphasis on supporting from education and through public and private institutions the development of small and medium-sized companies with which I have had the opportunity to collaborate. As can clearly be seen on a visit to Education City or to Qatar University . In Qatar, an atmosphere of collaboration and openness is perceived to create support networks to move the country towards that national vision, driven by the search for self-sustainability that resulted from the trade blockade, but which now, starting in 2021, opens new opportunities to explore international markets with neighboring countries.

Image: Depositphotos.com

Like Qatar, Saudi Arabia has a vision for 2030 that considers developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem to increase the contribution of small and medium-sized companies to the gross domestic product. This plan considers human capital as strategic for the growth of the ecosystem and the government has decided to inject resources into the creation of a venture capital fund, government support programs, financing for companies and exports, among other things. The Saudi Vision 2030 has proven to be a long-term strategic development plan that has attracted entrepreneurs and investors to this region of the world. A favorable business environment is perceived for those who want to undertake and it is one of the largest markets in the Arab world.

Image: Depositphotos.com

The United Arab Emirates is best known for its cities Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The government has played an important role as an institutional entrepreneur supporting the development of the ecosystem by investing in infrastructure projects, commercial opening, development of the entrepreneurial culture and diversification of the country's income. In the region it is one of the countries where it is "easier" to create a company as a foreigner. In just 30 years you can see the great development that its cities and the economy in general have had.

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4 Middle Eastern countries that are establishing a culture of entrepreneurship to transform into knowledge-based economies - Entrepreneur

Higher oil prices, an expected global economic rebound and growing oil demand are set to lower the fiscal breakeven price of major Middle East producers, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The fiscal breakeven price is defined as the oil price needed to balance the budgets of oil-exporting countries.

As oil prices declined and fields matured in several Middle East countries, raising production costs, the breakeven price for several producers increased.

However, with oil prices rising this year owing to better growth prospects for the world economy, breakeven prices for resource-based economies in the Middle East appear to be narrowing.

The IMF raised its global economic outlook to 6 per cent from and earlier 5.5 per cent forecast, as a result of quicker Covid-19 vaccination campaigns and fiscal and monetary support provided by governments and central banks.

For Saudi Arabia, the biggest oil exporter in the world and the Middle East, the breakeven price is set to decline by 15.6 per cent from a year ago to $65.70 a barrel in 2022, according to the fund.

Saudi Arabias fiscal breakeven price, which was $77.90 a barrel in 2020, is expected to decline marginally to $76.20 this year. The price has been steadily falling since 2018, when it was $88.60 a barrel.

The fiscal breakeven price of Iraq, Opecs second-largest producer, has increased steadily since 2018, when it was $45.40 a barrel.

This is due to higher spending, particularly to maintain a bloated public sector over the past couple of years, and a fiscal crisis last year that exhausted the country's domestic borrowing capacity.

Last year, Baghdad had a fiscal breakeven of $63.70, which is expected to hit $71.30 this year before falling to $66.10 in 2022.

Iran, one of the most populous nations in West Asia, has been squeezed by US sanctions and hit hard by Covid-19, resulting in the worst death toll in the Middle East.

Higher fuel prices and the impact of the pandemic on the global economy have exacerbated its financial crisis.

Iran needed oil prices to average $304.30 a barrel to break even fiscally in 2020. Its numbers are expected improve relatively in 2021 to $242.80 a barrel. However, its breakeven price is expected to rise to $259.20 in 2022.

Libya, the second-biggest producer of crude in North Africa, is one of the lowest-cost producers in the region.

Known for its light, sweet grade of oil, the country faced severe setbacks in terms of exporting oil due to a blockade that lasted about a year.

This caused its fiscal breakeven price to rise by 336 per cent to $417.50 a barrel last year.

However, in one of the steepest declines among oil producers in the region, Libya's fiscal breakeven price is expected fall by about 88 per cent to $48.80 a barrel this year.

The price needed to balance its budget will decline further to $46.70 in 2022, which will be the region's lowest after Qatar, which is largely a gas producer.

Libyas reversal of fortunes follows the end of the blockade, which allowed it to substantially increase its export volumes.

Its production rose to 1.19 million barrels per day in March, about 10 times higher than the 121,000 bpd it produced in the third quarter of last year, according to secondary Opec sources.

The UAE, Opecs third-largest producer, is expected to have a fiscal breakeven price of $60.40 in 2022, down from $68.20 in 2020 and $64.60 this year.

Bahrain, which traditionally has had one of the highest fiscal breakeven prices among Gulf countries due to its early decline in reserves, will have a breakeven price of $88.20 this year and $85.80 in 2022, compared with $100.40 in 2020.

Omans fiscal breakeven price will reach $61.80 a barrel in 2022, while Kuwait will need a price of $64.50 to balance its budget.

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Higher oil prices and economic recovery support lower fiscal breakeven prices for Middle East producers - The National

B.C.s commercial and sport fisheries are in trouble, thanks to declining wild salmon stocks|Rob Kruyt

Everyone by now knows what is meant by the green economy.

But what about that blue economy that the World Bank and the Justin Trudeau government have been talking about lately?

The World Bank defines the blue economy as sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.

The global ocean economy is worth an estimated US$1.5 trillion now and is expected to grow to US$3 trillion by 2030, according to Rashid Sumaila, University of British Columbia professor at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.

Given that Canadas coastline borders on three oceans and it is the country with the longest marine coastline, Canadas oceans are an underused resource with significant economic potential in seafood production, tourism and renewable offshore wind and tidal energy generation.

The Trudeau government wants to develop a blue economy strategy, but isnt clear on what that strategy should include, which is why it is seeking input from Canadians through its blue economy engagement process.

Combined, our ocean industries generate over $30 billion a year in GDP, federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan said last week at a virtual forum on the blue economy hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT). Yet our blue economy lags behind other countries like Norway, the U.S., the UK and Australia. To me that screams potential.

But if Canadas blue economy is to include aquaculture, it is off to a rocky start in B.C. Jordan is shutting down a quarter of the provinces salmon farms with her order to have 19 open-net sites in the Discovery Islands off the water by 2022.

A good start for a blue economy strategy would be a federal aquaculture act, said forum panellist Jennifer Woodland, CEO of Nuu-chah-nutlh Seafood and chairwoman of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance.

Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood is a First Nations company involved in commercial fishing, salmon farming, seafood canning and, more recently, seaweed cultivation.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing sectors in world, Woodland said, and were watching every other jurisdiction take their place globally as aquaculture leaders. Canada should be a leader in sustainable aquaculture development.

For B.C., the biggest blue economy opportunities are in sport fishing, whale watching, cruise ships, kayaking, aquaculture and commercial fishing.

But both its saltwater sport fishing and commercial salmon fisheries are in trouble, due to declining wild stocks, and salmon farming is in trouble due to activism and bad optics.

B.C.s commercial sockeye fishery has been in decline since the mid-1990s. Compared with Alaska, Russia and Japan, B.C.s commercial salmon fishery has all but vanished.

The salmon fishery and fishermen and processors are close to collapsing, said Joy Thorkelson, former president of the UFAWU-Unifor fishermans union in B.C. In 2019, the commercial catch for salmon in B.C. was the lowest in 70 years, she said.

Declining chinook stocks, meanwhile, have resulted in so many restrictions and closures that American tourists who pay big bucks to fish in B.C. may eventually stop coming.

Some efforts are being made to address the wild salmon decline. Under the joint federal-B.C. Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, $142 million is being invested over five years in initiatives like salmon habitat restoration.

Mike Meneer, president of Pacific Salmon Foundation, said past salmon habitat restoration and enhancement efforts have had some success in bolstering coho stocks.

While rebuilding Pacific salmon stocks would be an important part of a blue economy plan, if warming ocean temperatures from climate change are the principal cause of the declines, habitat restoration may not be enough to reverse it.

Unlike Atlantic cod, Pacific salmon are more abundant now than they ever have been. But that abundance is concentrated in cold northern regions, like Alaska and Russia. Northern range abundance may also be partly attributed to industrial-scale hatcheries in Alaska, Japan and Russia, which pump more than one billion juvenile salmon into the Pacific Ocean each year.

One question Jordan may need to wrestle with as part of her blue economy discussion is whether Canada should follow Alaskas lead and move from salmon farming to salmon ranching by increasing Fraser River sockeye stocks with industrial-level hatchery production.

And if the federal government is determined to shut down coastal open-net salmon farms in B.C., subsidizing a transition to open ocean fish farms may be less risky than betting on land-based closed containment recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

Jordans own Fisheries and Oceans advisers have determined RAS to be expensive and not economically viability.

While closed containment appears to solve many of the current problems that represent impediments to net-pen farming in coastal waters, nearly 100% of the startups using this technique have gone bankrupt, a 2018 Fisheries and Oceans memo to the fisheries minister noted.

Open-ocean farming may prove a viable alternative.

SalMar, a Norwegian salmon farming company, has developed the first offshore fish farm, away from the coast, which reduces the chance of wild and farmed fish interacting.

The company has now produced two harvests of Atlantic salmon and reports low sea-lice levels and low mortalities.

As for other forms of aquaculture, one relatively new crop for B.C. is seaweed and kelp. Ocean Regenerative Aquaculture is planning to cultivate seaweed for products such as biostimulants, which can be used in agriculture to improve crop growth.

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Moving Canadas blue economy out of the shallows - Business in Vancouver

BUSINESS

The Green Connection economic researcher Gillian Hamilton says: Our research shows that the development of an oil and gas industry is likely to further entrench South Africa as a minerals resource-based exporter, exacerbating the negative features documented by the National Planning Commission of SA that there is little evidence from elsewhere in Africa that the exploitation of oil and gas resources naturally leads to improvements in the lives of those living and working in oil- and gas-rich areas.

In fact, the report reveals that it normally leads to a wholesale deterioration in living conditions for the vast majority of citizens who live and work in such areas.

READ: African Development Bank backs young agripreneurs to beat climate change

The report cites a number of examples, including Nigeria, Uganda and Mozambique, where the only real beneficiaries were the companies that were awarded drilling rights and corrupt government officials, while the surrounding communities were left to suffer devastating environmental impact and governments were left in more debt as a result of the projects.

The Green Connections strategic lead Liziwe McDaid said: Through our #WhoStoleOurOceans campaign, we aim to empower local ocean-dependent communities to secure fisher livelihoods while ensuring that their tools and knowledge are sustained, and communities are able to engage with decision-makers for the protection of our oceans for all, forever.

Hamilton agrees: Operation Phakisa, which was launched in 2014, was designed to boost economic growth and create jobs within the context of the governments National Development Plan. One of its focus areas is the oceans economy.

But rather than focus on the stewardship of the ocean and the sustainable use of these resources, Operation Phakisa seems to have prioritised the establishment of a potentially devastating offshore oil and gas industry.

She adds that it was predicted that governments fast results delivery programme would contribute R177 billion to South Africas GDP and create 1 million jobs by 2033, but it is far from delivered these economic gains. Meanwhile, the contribution of the ocean economy to the countrys GDP has declined as a percentage of GDP, from 4.4% in 2010 to 4.2 % in 2019.

The model points out that investment in the countrys oil and gas industry will not deliver significant tax revenue for the fiscus.

Research model raises concerns over overstated gains

To determine the economic impact of oil and gas, an economy-wide model was developed in 2015. It indicates that a 20% short- or long-run increase in the production of crude oil, petroleum and gas in the country will increase real national GDP by 0.15% in the short run, while decreasing GDP by 0.12% in the long run.

This decrease in real GDP raises concerns around the economic viability of South Africa investing in an oil and gas industry.

The model points out that investment in the countrys oil and gas industry will not deliver significant tax revenue for the fiscus.

In the short term, it may form a platform for job creation and employment, with minor wage increases, but only if the capital equipment necessary for extraction is produced in South Africa. A report by Standard Bank, which assumes an oil price of $110/per barrel of oil, notes that 20 500 skilled and 33 000 unskilled jobs would be needed to service the oil and gas sector.

However, it is more likely that in the long run real wages will decrease marginally and there will be a long-term shift to skilled rather than unskilled labour, says Hamilton.

Job creation greatly exaggerated

Multiple studies show that the oil and gas industrys promises of job creation from the drilling of natural gas have been greatly exaggerated, Hamilton adds.

Many of the jobs that are created are short-lived or have gone to out-of-area workers who have the necessary skills. In addition, up to 75% of workers will likely become redundant in the future due to automation.

The gender bias of the oil and gas industry with only 3.6% female representation among the total offshore workforce should also be noted.

Experience closer to home indicates that job projections and actual job creation do not necessarily match. In terms of job creation to date, Phakisa is a failure. Between 2014 and 2019, while more than R40 billion was invested in targeted maritime sectors, fewer than 10 000 of the 77 000 direct jobs promised had been created, she says.

There are several other pitfalls for South Africa. Economic analysts caution that there is a substantial decline in demand for fossil fuels, together with an excess in supply. Moreover, climate-related financial risks such as transition risks, stranded assets and the negative impact on our trade and competitiveness, as well as physical climate risks, should all be taken into account before investing in resource extraction.

Evidence shows that where they exist, non-renewable resource booms both entrench existing weak governance institutions and weaken effective governance institutions.

Hamilton says: The localised influx of capital and labour can lead to serious social issues. Extensive migration into oil-producing areas places strain on public infrastructure, resulting in more poverty and poor healthcare, high rates of child mortality and an increase in gender and economic inequality, along with more crime.

And while a growing population clearly needs more infrastructural support in terms of basic municipal services such as health, education, emergency services, water and sanitation, electricity, and transport the sad reality is that most affected municipalities in the country will be entirely incapable of dealing with the increase in demand for public services that will come with the emergence of an oil and gas sector.

READ: Major fall in demand hits Africas oil producers

Evidence shows that where they exist, non-renewable resource booms both entrench existing weak governance institutions and weaken effective governance institutions.

These research findings do not bode well for South Africa, especially since we live in a country that has been characterised by looting, incompetence and malfeasance in recent years, she adds.

McDaid says the research report concludes that it is time for South Africa to shift away from an extractive mindset and acknowledges that an accelerated adoption of renewable energy, coupled with increased energy efficiency, could really be the real game-changer.

In addition, the commodification of the countrys oceans, as a site for yet more capital accumulation, must be rejected.

We must start seeing the ocean as an asset that must be protected, not exploited; an asset that provides immeasurable social, cultural and climate benefits to us all, and which needs a broad coalition of citizens and organisations, and an accountable government standing against the predation of the oil and gas industry, concludes McDaid.

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Green Connections research on economic impact of off-shore drilling in SA exposes negative benefits - News24

Among the instruments, the document highlights UN regulations that help create a loop to optimize the use of resources, such as regulating the reuse of vehicle tire carcasses by renewing the tires tread and enabling it to have a second or third life.

The toolbox points to several resources on people-first public-private partnerships (PPPs), including Guidelines on Promoting People-first PPP in Waste-to-Energy Projects for the Circular Economy. Another resource is a set of good practices on promoting innovation for sustainable consumption and production.

Instruments to support circularity in energy include the UN Framework Classification for Resources, and recommendations on carbon capture and storage (CCS). In forestry and timber, a forthcoming study will discuss how the forest sector implements circular economy concepts. The toolbox notes that forest products are particularly suitable to circularity, noting for example that reuse and recycling are common in lumber salvage and paper recycling, and it is a long-standing practice to use waste throughout the wood products sector, for example in energy production.

UNECE aims to harness international trades contribution to circularity by addressing food loss and waste in agricultural trade and supply chains, among other initiatives.

The document cites an implementation framework aimed at improving circularity in cities, contained in the Guide to Circular Cities prepared within the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) programme in 2019. It asserts that cities must begin to rely on circular cycles of production and consumption within city boundaries and strengthen the ability of their infrastructure to withstand natural and human-made shocks.

To improve measurement of the circular economy, the toolbox publication reports that the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) and other international organizations are developing a harmonized approach to measuring circular economy. A 2020 UNECE review of measuring circular economy provides a set of recommendations to this end.

The document adds that UNECEs environmental performance reviews (EPRs) enable countries to assess progress in greening their economies. 15 UNECE members have conducted EPRs as of November 2020.

The toolbox will be discussed during UNECEs 69th session convening from 20-21 April 2021. The theme of the session is promoting circular economy and the sustainable use of natural resources in the region of the Economic Commission for Europe. Discussions will also be based on a UNECE report on trends and opportunities in circular economy for Europe: key challenges and opportunities.

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With this tools the UN Economic Commission for Europe help governments to build up more circular economy - Waste Management World

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Reductions will have wide-ranging economic, intellectual and social impacts, Northern economists say

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The impact of job and program cuts at Laurentian University this week will have profound and potentially long-term effects on the economy in Sudbury and Northeastern Ontario, experts told The Sudbury Star this week.

Laurentian, which filed for creditor protection in February, announced on Monday it would cut 58 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs, while laying off 110 faculty as part of its court-supervised restructuring under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act.

Livio Di Matteo, professor of economics at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, said the fact Laurentians administration has chosen to restructure under the CCAA is indicative of the dire situation in which the university finds itself.

Companies that go into that type of creditor protection are most often private sector firms, he said, which are well-defined entities with a relatively narrow function.

CCAA restructuring is a rather blunt tool, because its basically to satisfy creditors and creditors, as long as they get their money, are quite happy with cost cuts being paramount, as opposed to any type of long-term impact and what the plan is for long-term revenue projection and recruitment, Di Matteo said.

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Most universities have exigency provisions, but they really are long and cumbersome. This is the other extreme.

The cuts announced on Monday will have a major impact, he said, both immediately and in the longer term, as the school has shed roughly a third of its course offerings and about 30 per cent of its faculty.

I have heard 100, 110, but that is just faculty theres no numbers on staff, Di Matteo said. Just faculty alone, based on average salaries, youre looking at a $15 (million)-$20 million direct hit to wages in Sudburys economy. If you look at indirect effects, in terms of the spending and multiplier effects, youre probably looking at an impact of anywhere from $30-40 million.

Administrative positions and other staff may account for just as big a hit, he said, pushing the number to $60-80 million in direct impact on the local economy.

A potential drop in enrolment, as students consider options other than Laurentian to pursue a post-secondary education, means less money will be spend locally on residence, apartments and restaurants.

Its hard to do an economic impact analysis on the fly, but I would be surprised if the total loss in the immediate term to the economy of Sudbury wasnt in the $100-150 million range, once the impact on wages, salaries, staff, faculty and student spending are all factored in, he said.

Natalya Brown, associate professor of economics and co-ordinator of the economics program at Nipissing University in North Bay, said the laid-off Laurentian faculty and staff, whose jobs help support local businesses and charities, will not easily find work theyre qualified for in the North.

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They have also bought homes, so that could have implications for the housing market, as well, said Brown, reached on Tuesday afternoon. Youre going to see a lot of that expenditure leaving the community and a lot of that expertise and brain drain in the community, and thats not just going to have an impact in the short term, but in the long term, because having a university with a wide range of programs is an attraction piece for Sudbury. It attracts a lot of students, not just from the region, but also outside of Ontario and internationally. A lot of those students stay in the community, because they like what they see, so this could have impacts on skill-matching and labour shortages in the future.

Universities are creativity centres and drivers of innovation, Brown said, and researchers often consult with local businesses and give their time to social enterprises and charities, which could be sources of future growth.

Especially on the environmental front, with the kind of resource-based economy we have in the North, researchers are very important players, she added.

Im wondering wonder how the decisions were made in terms of which programs were cut. You look at the list and I was surprised to see environmental studies and some other programs that I think young people are really getting excited about and are very attractive programs being cut, because I think there will be growth in the future. A university is not a corporation and it has a responsibility to the community that it is in to provide relevant programming, and it just seemed weird that these programs were cut in areas where we need that expertise and we need to build a workforce with those skills and knowledge.

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Contacted on Tuesday, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce said it was unable to accommodate an interview request, but supplied a statement from Cora DeMarco, chair of its board of directors.

Laurentian University is a key economic pillar of our community, and has contributed immeasurably to Sudburys growth, research, economic wellbeing, and quality of life; it is one of the many reasons Sudburians are proud to call Sudbury home and why Sudbury remains an attractive option for international students, DeMarco said. We acknowledge the university is undergoing a challenging and difficult restructuring process, and our thoughts are with those impacted. We are optimistic the institution will emerge out of this process to remain a key economic contributor and employer within our community.

bleeson@postmedia.com

Twitter: @ben_leeson

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Laurentian cuts could take more than $100 million out of Sudbury's economy - The Sudbury Star

ETHIOPIA

In general, it also recognises the importance of science and technology in ensuring Ethiopias future growth but, in particular, its ambition of becoming a middle-income country by 2025.

Past efforts

Ethiopia has, over time, been seeking mechanisms to harness the power of science and technology for its development. Various policy directives that promote science have been implemented in the country at different times.

Government initiatives during the past four decades were kick-started in December 1975 through a proclamation (62/1975) that stipulated the establishment of a Science and Technology Commission and defined its responsibilities in planning, coordinating, selecting and approving research programmes, projects and activities.

Ethiopias first Science, Technology and Innovation policy was formulated in 1993 after a lengthy drafting and ratification process that took about 10 years (from 1984 to 1993).

The policy included major goals of building national capability to generate, select, import, develop, disseminate and apply appropriate technologies for the realisation of the countrys socio-economic objectives.

The policy identified four management bodies that were considered to be critical for implementing the policy: the National Science and Technology Council, the Technical Advisory Committee, an Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission (ESTC) and science and technology institutes and centres.

The plan also envisaged the establishment of research institutes, technology centres, design enterprises, and various science and technology support services under the ESTC or as autonomous entities.

Sectoral initiatives

Sectoral policies on agriculture, health, industry, mines, water, energy and geo-information were developed and approved by the council of ministers in 1994. More sectoral advisory councils were also established.

Following the change of government in 1991, ESTC was re-established in March 1994. A year later, in 1995 the commission was re-organised as the Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency (ESTA) and the agency, in 2006, revised the earlier science and technology policy and introduced a new governance structure.

It also identified the priority areas for science and technology as agriculture, commerce, industry, education, human resource development, energy, environment, health, mining, tourism, water, transport and communication, nuclear science and technology, social sciences and meteorology.

Further, the policy outlined the strengthening of existing capacities as major areas for consideration and identified the need for a highly skilled labour force that could utilise science and technology to solve socio-economic problems.

Restructuring of the science and technology ministry

After the successive restructuring of the Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency, the Ministry of Science and Technology was established in 2008. But, after two years, the ministry was again restructured in October 2010 and became the top government agency for coordinating, supporting and encouraging science and technology activities in the country.

The ministry was entrusted with setting science and technology and research priorities in addition to developing guidelines, frameworks, policies, regulations and strategies which facilitated the application of science, technology and innovation to accelerate the socio-economic development of Ethiopia.

Furthermore, the ministry facilitated collaboration among the government, universities and the private sector and oversaw human resource development plans in the field of science, technology and innovation.

It was responsible for developing mechanisms for incentivising and rewarding individuals and institutions that contributed to science and technology and for organising and supporting research councils that facilitated research activities.

The establishment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2018 has necessitated changes in the manner in which science development has been led and coordinated at a national level.

This has led to the restructuring of the governance and hence the development of a new policy framework.

New policy rationales

In line with past policy directions, the new policy has been crafted to address the building of a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy and society; enhancing national growth and development through an emphasis on human resource development; as well as sound regulatory frameworks, partnership and funding mechanisms.

The new policy also deals with providing strategic leadership for the efficient implementation of policy, ensuring the availability of adequate funding and necessary support for the advancement of science research and science education as a discipline within university communities, research institutions, professional societies and private companies.

Flowing from the policy, seven core focus areas have been identified: human capital development; enterprise development; scientific research and innovation; infrastructure development and management; governance, leadership and management; knowledge management; and financing and incentive schemes.

In addition to setting out the regulatory and partnership schemes, which are key to implementing the policy, emphasis has been placed on the need for aligning the core areas with the strategic demands of the countrys medium- and long-term development plans.

Science in higher education institutions

Since their earliest beginnings, Ethiopian universities have been involved in promoting science and producing the required human resources in science-related fields of studies.

The faculty of science was one of the first two faculties (the other being the faculty of arts) of the University College of Addis Ababa, the first higher education institution in the country, organised to provide preparatory training in the two streams of engineering and medical sciences.

After the University College of Addis Ababa grew to Haile Selassie I University (HSIU) in 1961, (now Addis Ababa University) the science faculty was incorporated into the university and went on diversifying its programmes.

Apart from setting up the oldest research units in the country that include the Institute of Pathobiology and the Geophysical Observatory, the science faculty is known for being one of the pioneering faculties in introducing postgraduate programmes in the country, both at masters and PhD levels.

It also remains one of the strongest academic units within the Ethiopian university sector responsible for producing a higher share of publications and research output at a national level.

Ethiopias specific focus on promoting science and technology education has also led to the development of a policy whereby, until very recently, 70% of university admissions in the public sector were planned to be in science- and technology-related programmes.

Anticipated implementation challenges

Despite the various structural changes and policy directions set over the past four decades, the development of science and its contributions toward the economic development of Ethiopia still remains meagre.

The failure in meeting national ambitions has been mainly explained by critical bottlenecks such as shortage of funding, a lack of infrastructure and qualified human resources, weak governance and regulatory schemes as well as poor systems of integration and coordination among relevant stakeholders.

The latter is further becoming a challenge for the Ministry of Science and Higher Education that is taking the lead role in the advocacy for science, coordination and harmonisation of science policy and programmes while the Ministry of Innovation, as a separate ministry, is given the role for coordinating activities related to innovation.

In terms of the demand for a more aligned system and shared responsibilities, serious attention should be given to the integration between concerned ministries, government and non-government agencies, civic societies, private organisations, higher education and technical and vocational education and training institutions and other actors and stakeholders who should respond to the new call.

This commentary has been written by Wondwosen Tamrat. He is an associate professor and founding president of St Marys University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a collaborating scholar of the Programme for Research on Private Higher Education at the State University of New York at Albany, United States, and coordinator of the private higher education sub-cluster of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa. He may be reached at preswond@smuc.edu.et or wondwosen@gmail.com.

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Science policy crafted to build the economy and society - University World News

Rafael Sard is an academic collaborator at Esade, and a senior scientist at the Spanish National Council of Research.

getty

The Earth could have been called Planet Ocean. In fact, oceans are our planets largest life support system. About 70% of the planets surface is covered by water, and 97% of this water is found in the oceans. In addition, ocean currents govern the worlds weather and its dependent biomes. For centuries, a planetary equilibrium in the oceans overturning circulation (the flow of warm, salty water in upper layers of the ocean, and the opposite flow of cold water in lower layers) created stable conditions for the atmosphere and made life possible below water and on land. Today, that equilibrium has been broken: the growing emission of greenhouse gases, primarily due to human activities, has interrupted the energy balance, heating the oceans and altering their ability to absorb these gases. In turn, this upended equilibrium has modified the overturning circulation, altering the transport of nutrients with the consequent loss of life. It has also increased the oceans acidification to a degree that can potentially collapse rich ecosystems and entire habitats.

Although the oceans seem an infinite resource, the reality is profoundly different. Growing scientific evidence shows that the health of the oceans is at great risk and that marine ecosystems are already subject to extreme stress from pollution and overexploitation. The demand for ocean resources is expected to continue growing, furthering expectations for oceans as drivers of human development and a source of food, materials, and space. Reversing the oceans further degradation and preserving their health is paramount due to the many irreplaceable benefits that they provide. As a result, there is an ongoing battle for their conservation and sustainable use.

But, enough of the bad news. A recent study strongly supports the idea that we can have clean waters and rebuild marine life. In fact, its authors argue that we can substantially recover the abundance, structure, and function of marine life by 2050 if we mitigate major pressures, including climate change. The challenge now is how to diminish these pressures.

To spark this regenerative process, in 2015, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defined Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Live Below Water), a goal in which healthy and productive oceans are the principal consideration. The main objective of SDG 14 is to conserve and sustainably use the worlds oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. To facilitate this goal in keeping with science-informed policy, the UN also proclaimed this decade (2021-2030) as the decade of ocean science for sustainable development. The aim is to establish the principles to reverse the cycle of degradation and unite ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework to ensure that ocean science can fully support countries in improving conditions for ocean sustainability.

The various regions of the world have reacted differently to these initiatives. Europe set a good example by implementing an ocean agenda with detailed actions in three priority areas: a) improving the international ocean governance framework; b) reducing human pressure on oceans and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy; and c) strengthening international ocean research and data.

The international ocean governance framework is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which defines the rights and responsibilities of nations concerning the use of the worlds oceans. It distinguishes between the High Seas 64% of the oceans surface and 95% of their volume, that is, all marine waters not owned by countries, and coastal countries exclusive economic zones (EEZ). UNCLOS argues that countries need to show greater ambition and proactively manage their EEZ by improving their spatial planning to achieve sustainable goals. Today, the UN and the High Seas Alliance (HSA) are committed to working with countries and other actors towards the adoption and ratification of a comprehensive treaty to protect the worlds oceans beyond national jurisdictions (30% of these waters by 2030). Polar regions deserve special attention: while Antarctica is subject to environmental protection in keeping with the Antarctic Treaty and a commission was created to preserve its marine living resources, the Arctic is at risk. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has promoted an Arctic Ocean Network of Priority Areas for Conservation to define stable measures for the conservation of its icy-waters, while the UN and industries in line with SDG 14 have prepared an Arctic Ocean Action Plan.

To reduce existing man-made pressures on marine ecosystems, a common ambitious plan with large collaborative agreements and significant changes in all industrial sectors will be needed. Business transformations in both ocean economy (extractive renewable non-renewable, and operational sectors) and in on-land industries that are indirectly pressuring the oceans are necessary to reverse this situation. A sustainable ocean economy (the so-called blue economy) will only emerge when economic activity is in line with ocean ecosystems long-term capacity to support this activity and remain resilient and healthy. Thus, present activities must mitigate and significantly reduce the environmental risks of ecological damage, and illegal activities should be severely prosecuted. The blue economy must be a clear aspirational objective for 2030.

In the decade of ocean science, we will enhance research, launch new monitoring satellite and observational systems, and gather better knowledge of the high seas and their deepest waters. At the same time, we also have to promote greater ocean literacy: starting in elementary school, people need to know that the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even some of the food we eat comes directly from the ocean. We are highly dependent on this life support system and we need to take care of it.

Our human footprint is threatening the health of the oceans due to cumulative man-made pressures. We need to radically diminish these pressures to have clean waters, rebuild marine life, and provide the long-term conditions for resilient and functional oceans. To achieve this, we need to undertake significant changes in policies, institutions, and practices that are not currently underway. The present decade must be a period of radical transformation because what we do now will be crucial for the future of the oceans health. It will also be crucial for the future of our planet.

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Planet Ocean: Why Is The Blue Economy So Important? - Forbes

Twenty-five new tourism jobs may be created at the popular Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa complex if a new multimillion-dollar ride gets the go-ahead.

The Canterbury company has lodged a resource consent application with the Hurunui District Council to build an 850-metre-long downhill zipline on the villages Conical Hill Reserve.

The consent is open for submissions until April 19 and, if approved, the ride will be up and flying by the end of the year.

Maria Feliza Inez/Magic Memories

The popular South Island tourist destination lodged resource consent to build an 850-metre-long downhill zipline on the villages Conical Hill.

The ride, which is being developed fully through a $2.2 million grant through the Provincial Growth Fund, will use technology developed by Christchurch-based Holmes Solutions.

READ MORE:* Flying fox, luxury spa given funding to boost Hanmer Springs' tourism sector* Sky Garden tourist tower proposal prompts call to protect cultural and environmental values* Five of the best eco-tourism experiences in New Zealand

General manager Graeme Abbot said the zipline would be the first ride of its type in New Zealand and only the second in the world.

SUPPLIED

The development plan for the proposed Hanmer Springs zipline.

It would create 25 new jobs and was expected to inject $4m into the local economy in its first five years, he said.

Were delighted this old dream of ours is a step closer to reality with the lodging of resource consent.

The zipline course would allow riders to fly above and through the canopy and treeline on Conical Hill and would finish on the southern side of the hill, where there were spectacular views over the village, Abbot said.

Riders would be harnessed on a suspended seat attached to a trolley up to 5m above ground. The trolley could be set to different speeds and would navigate seven corners on the course.

George Heard/Stuff

General manager Graeme Abbot said if the zipline goes ahead, the company would create 25 new jobs as the ride was expected to inject $4 million into the local economy in its first five years.

The ride was designed to blend into the natural environment by using natural colours and timber, and would be as sustainable as possible by using a solar-powered braking system.

Overall the ride is gravity-powered, so its practically silent. Our decision to not transport visitors to the start of the ride at the top of the hill, means its carbon footprint will be zero, which aligns with our role as a kaitiaki (guardian) of Hanmer Springs.

Abbot said the walk time from the top of Conical Hill Rd up the zig-zag path to the zipline at the top of the hill takes usually takes about 35 minutes.

The zipline would give a boost to the tourism sector, which had been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kavinda Herath/Stuff

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash talks about New Zealand tourism in Queenstown.

On Wednesday, Wnaka-based mountain guiding company Adventure Consultants announced it was reluctantly placing the business into hibernation one of many people forced to close due to low visitor numbers and ongoing border closures.

Queenstowns 220-room Millennium Hotel closed at the end of January, while popular bar Muskets and Moonshine closed about the same time, and Canyon Explorers went into hibernation in February.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash set out his priorities for the struggling tourism sector at the Otago University Tourism Policy School conference in Queenstown last month.

He previously told Stuff the pandemic had provided an opportunity to take a hard look at the sector and to fix long-standing issues.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools

The water slides at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa.

Most New Zealanders all recognise that prior to Covid-19, unsustainable tourism levels put far too much undue pressure on communities and our natural attractions, and many communities have struggled to absorb.

Mass international tourism was unlikely before 2022, and he was deeply concerned about the situation unfolding in areas like Queenstown, the West Coast, Fiordland, the Mackenzie District and Kaikura, which relied heavily on overseas visitors, he said.

Public submissions on the zipline could be made on the Hurunui District Councils website.

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Proposed zipline would pump $4m into Hanmer Springs economy in five years - Stuff.co.nz