Canadian Renewable Fuels Association supports Canada’s 2016 budget’s climate focus

The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) commends Canada’s Liberal government's first federal budget for its focus on climate change.

Tabled on Tuesday by Finance Minister Bill Morneau, the 2016 budget commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, pricing carbon emissions, and addressing climate change.

The budget provides CAN$50 million (€34.1m) over four years to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to support the development of clean technologies, CAN$82.5 million over two years to NRCan to bring clean technologies closer to commercialisation, and CAN$2.9 billion over five years to address climate change and air pollution issues, including taking action to reduce emissions from Canada's largest sources, transportation and energy.

"CRFA members share the government's climate change priorities and have been in the business of reducing emissions for many years," said CRFA president Andrea Kent in a statement on Tuesday.

"Today's budget shows that the government is on the right path towards a clean, green economy. We look forward to working together and ensuring renewable fuels products and technologies continue to be an important part of Canada's low-carbon future."

As part of Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance's pre-budget consultations, CRFA presented the economic and environmental opportunities of a diverse energy mix – including the expanded use of biofuels – to the Committee in February.

Recommendations included increasing the existing biodiesel mandate from 2 to 5% by 2020, increasing support for clean technology and the bioeconomy – whether through government programmes, tax incentives, or the creation of a national bioeconomy framework – and adopting measures to complement provincial carbon pricing initiatives.

The recommendations are included in the Final report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance Regarding its Consultations in Advance of the 2016 Budget.

Founded in 1­984, the CRFA is a non-profit organisation with a mission to promote the use of value added products made from renewable resources through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.