Final Thoughts National biofuels advocate evolves CRFA becomes Renewable Industries Canada By Andrea Kent -president of Renewable Industries Canada s all levels of government look for ways to fight climate change, bio-products and a diversified fuel mix are essential options to replace high carbon products and fossil fuels. Pro-ducers of renewable fuels and bio-based products reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide economic oppor-tunity to the benefit of all Canadians. A “The association’s focus now goes beyond renewable fuels to include advanced biofuels, bio-based products and policy programs that will support greater product research, development and commercialization.” The Canadian Renewable Fuels Asso-ciation recognized the importance of the complete bio-based industry in the fight against climate change, and has expand-ed its mandate to become Renewable In-dustries Canada (RICanada). The associ-ation’s focus now goes beyond renewable fuels to include advanced biofuels, bio-based products and policy programs that will support greater product research, de-velopment and commercialization. The evolution is a natural extension of what RICanada is and what it does best. RICanada member companies have been growing their businesses and di-versifying their products for some time. These value-added products provide governments with more and better ways to reduce carbon emissions. The federal government has made climate change a top priority, initiating ambitious emis-sion reduction targets – and provinces such as Ontario are creating climate change plans that will fundamentally alter our econ-omies and potentially our way of life. These targets will not be met without the use of RICan-ada-member products, which are integral to reducing trans-portation sector emissions, transitioning our country to a low-carbon economy and se-curing a sustainable energy fu-ture. RICanada will build on de-cades of success that resulted in federal and provincial re-newable fuel mandates, and an industry that generates billions in economic activity, returns billions on government investment, and reduces 4.2 megatonnes of GHGs annual-ly. RICanada will work tirelessly to advo-cate for increased use of renewable fuels, carbon pricing systems that are designed to ensure a fair value for GHG reductions, and for increased support for clean tech-nology and Canada’s bioeconomy. While the association has evolved, it is clear that renewable fuels will always be a focus and proud part of RICanada’s work. Canadian renewable fuel produc-ers already help remove the equivalent of one million cars worth of carbon emis-sions from Canada’s roads every year. More can be done, as liquid fuels will be required for years to come while the po-tential of other renewable energy sources and electric vehicles are being harnessed sufficiently. With that in mind, RICanada is pro-posing a strategy to reduce emissions equivalent to another one million cars by increasing the mandated amount of etha-nol blended into Canadian gasoline from five per cent to 10 per cent and the bio-diesel content of diesel fuel from two per cent to five per cent. These two simple mandate increases can be achieved in the short term, requiring no changes to exist-ing infrastructure, vehicles or consumer behaviour; helping governments to meet their emission targets; helping our envi-ronment; and providing more economic benefits here at home. Extending RICanada’s reach to the overall bioeconomy represents an oppor-tunity for further industry growth. Ad-vocating for increased use of renewable fuels and bio-based products, as well as further research and development, could result in more efficient production meth-ods, products and environmental and economic benefits. This opportunity can-not be ignored if Canada is to transition to a low carbon economy. Founded in 1984, Renewable Industries Canada (RICanada) is a non-profit organi-zation that represents the interests of over 30 member companies and is Canada’s leading voice in promoting the role of renewable fuels and value added products in reducing GHG emissions through consumer awareness and government liaison activities. • JULY/AUGUST 2016 26 Canadian BIOMASS
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