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Clean Energy
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Introduction

Issues

To reach net-zero by 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for no new fossil fuel expansion projects to be undertaken after the year 2021. Unfortunately, many companies are ignoring this scientific recommendation and continuing to invest in expansion. The UN Production Gap report notes that governments and companies around the world plan to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with a 1.5 degree temperature limit. This both endangers the planet, and is also economically short-sighted, potentially leading to $100 billion in stranded assets in Canada by as early as 2036. 

Solutions

Thanks to a huge decline in renewable energy prices, along with advances in energy storage technology, a global clean energy transition is finally within reach. Between 2010 and 2022, the cost of solar, wind, heat pumps, and batteries fell by 80% on average, meaning that an accelerated transition to clean energy could save the global economy $12 trillion, according to a study from Oxford University. 

In 2023 global investments in solar power surpassed investments in oil production for the first time ever. This rate of growth is already faster than the rate which would be needed to help limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Renewable energy already accounts for 80% of total electricity investment, with electricity becoming the “new oil” of the global energy system as buildings and transportation systems rapidly electrify. 

All of these trends mean that the fossil fuel era is coming to an end. In 2022, the IEA projected for the first time that fossil fuel demand is headed for a peak in all future energy system scenarios. The increasing ambition of global climate policy will only accelerate this trend, with 90% of global GDP now being covered by national net-zero targets. Altogether, these positive changes have helped reduce projections of long-term temperature rise by 1°C since 2015. 

The IEA predicts that the value of the clean technology sector will outstrip the value of global oil markets by 2030. Although the fossil fuel sector is in decline, gains in clean energy will more than compensate. Economists estimate that the number of clean energy jobs in Canada will grow to 2.7 million by 2050, up from 500,000 today. 

Resources to
Learn More
Programs, Trainings, and Events
Policies and Organizations
Organizations
  • International Energy Agency - A major intergovernmental organisation, established in 1974 by the OECD, that provides policy recommendations, analysis and data on the global energy sector. 
  • International Renewable Energy Agency - An intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation on renewable energy.
  • Energy Transitions Commission - A global coalition of leaders from across the energy landscape committed to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century. 
  • Rocky Mountain Institute - An independent nonprofit think tank of experts working to accelerate the clean energy transition and improve lives. 
  • Project Drawdown - The world’s leading resource for climate solutions.
  • Canadian Climate Institute - Canada’s leading climate change policy research organization.
  • Transition Accelerator - A pan-Canadian organization that works to identify and advance viable pathways to a prosperous, competitive, and net-zero Canada in 2050.
  • Clean Energy Canada - One of Canada’s leading clean energy think tanks.
  • Indigenous Clean Energy - A not-for-profit that advances Indigenous-led capacity building and collective action in Canada’s clean energy transition. 
  • Student Energy - A global youth-led organization empowering young people to accelerate the sustainable energy transition; see their Energy System Map and Energy Topics Index to learn more about key topics.
Existing policies
Key Policy Changes
  • Clean Electricity Regulations - Canada has released a draft Clean Electricity Regulations which will ensure we decarbonize our grid by 2035 while meeting increased demand for electricity. As drafted, they would cut over 340 megatonnes of greenhouse gas pollution between 2024 and 2050.
  • Clean Investment Tax Credits - As part of Budget 2023, the government has announced 5 major Clean Investment Tax Credits which aim to propel the development and growth of clean energy technologies in Canada. 
  • Oil and Gas Emissions Cap - Canada has released a framework to cap and reduce the operational emissions from Canada’s oil and gas production sector, which remain the largest and fastest-growing source of emissions in Canada. 
  • 2030 Emissions Reductions Plan - As required by law in the Net-Zero Accountability Act, in March 2022 Canada released its first ever Emissions Reductions Plan, a roadmap that outlines a sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach its emissions reduction target of 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
New policy initiatives
Petitions

Volunteer Positions

Disclaimer: this list includes both organizations that are actively recruiting volunteers as well as organizations that do NOT have current openings.
Please follow their newsletter and socials to be informed when opportunities become available!

Name of Company
Open Positions
Location
Website
Efficiency Canada

Become a Regional Champion Volunteer

Nationwide
Future Ground Network

Multiple

Nationwide
Citizen’s Climate Lobby Canada

Multiple

Nationwide
Village Vancouver Transition Society

Multiple

Vancouver
The Council of Canadians

Join a Chapter

Nationwide
The Climate Reality Project

Multiple

Nationwide
350 Canada

Multiple

Nationwide
TREC Renewable Energy Co-op

Communications & Marketing Committee

Online
Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Multiple Opportunities

Ontario
David Suzuki Foundation

Multiple

Nationwide

Job Board

Disclaimer: Certain organizations on this list don't have sustainability as their core purpose, but they have been included because they have strong commitments and recognition for their efforts. For these organizations, only open positions directly contributing to sustainability initiatives or departments will be listed.

Organization
Open Positions
Type of Organization
Location ↓
Remote
Website
BBA Consultants

Intermediate Environmental Specialist / Project Lead – Power & Renewable Energy

Private Sector
Alberta
Remote
Link
WSP Canada

Energy Efficiency Analyst, Buildings

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
In Person
Link
BC Hydro

Operations & Process Analyst

Public Sector
Vancouver, BC
Hybrid
Link
Tulloch

Project Engineer

Private Sector
Sault St. Marie, ON
Hybrid
Link
Ontario Energy Board (OEB)

Manager, Indigenous Relations

Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Unknown
Link
Open Technologies

Climate Program Specialist (Bilingual EN/FR)

Private Sector
Canada
Remote
Link
Kuby Renewable Energy

Apprentice Electrician - Starter, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Yr

Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Unknown
Link
Boralex

Wind Site Manager

Private Sector
Tilbury,ON
Unknown
Link
Clean Foundation

Energy Advisor

Civil Society
Sydney, NS, Canada
In Person
Link
Solar Direct Canada

PV/Solar Panel Installer

Private Sector
Acton, ON
In Person
Link

General List of Employers

Want to learn more about who the potential employers are in this sector? Check out this list to gain a broader understanding of the types of organizations that might be hiring now or in the future, and visit their websites to learn more about getting involved.

Disclaimer: Certain organizations on this list don't have sustainability as their core purpose, but they have been included because they have strong commitments and recognition for their efforts. For these organizations, only open positions directly contributing to sustainability initiatives or departments will be listed.

Organization
Type of Organization
Location ↓
Website
Sustainable Calgary
Civil Society
Calgary, AB
Link
Future Ground Network
Civil Society
Nationwide
Link
Global Commons Alliance
Civil Society
International
Link
International Energy Agency
Civil Society
Paris, France
Link
AmiEs de la Terre de Québec
Civil Society
Quebec City, QC
Link
MtlGreen
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
CivicAction
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA)
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Friends of the Earth
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Aki Solutions Group (Aki Energy)
Civil Society
Winnipeg, MB
Link
Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l'environnement du Québec
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Clean Prosperity
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Planet Friendly / People & Planet
Civil Society
Canada
Link
Ecotrust Canada
Civil Society
Vancouver & Prince Rupert, BC
Link
Green Communities Canada
Civil Society
Peterborough, ON
Link
Green Learning
Civil Society
Edmonton, AB
Link
Windfall Ecology Centre
Civil Society
Aurora, ON
Link
Clean50
Civil Society
Canada
Link
Future Earth
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Sustainability Solutions Group
Civil Society
Vancouver, BC
Link
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Coalition Climat Montréal
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Switch: The Green Economy Alliance
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
The Natural Step
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Foresight Canada
Civil Society
Port Coquitlam & Victoria, BC, Toronto, ON, Calgary, AB
Link
Pembina Institute
Civil Society
Calgary & Edmonton, AB, Toronto & Ottawa, ON and Vancouver, BC
Link
Climate Scorecard Canada
Civil Society
USA based
Link
Solar Nova Scotia
Civil Society
McGraths Cove, NS
Link
Open Technologies
Civil Society
Vancouver, BC
Link
Renewable Industries Canada
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Academy for Sustainable Innovation
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Barkley Project Group
Civil Society
Nanaimo, BC
Link
Publish what you pay Canada
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE)
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Clean Energy BC
Civil Society
Vancouver, BC
Link
Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA)
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Thinkwell Shift
Civil Society
Halifax, NS
Link
Fuse Collective
Civil Society
Calgary, AB
Link
Energy Storage Canada
Civil Society
Canada
Link
Pollution Probe
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Québec Net Positif
Civil Society
Amherst, QC
Link
Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
FigBytes
Private Sector
Ottawa, ON
Link
Mangrove Lithium
Private Sector
Delta, BC
Link
Hydrogen Technology and Energy
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Hydra Energy
Private Sector
Delta, BC
Link
Woodland Biofuels
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
BluWave AI
Private Sector
Summerside PEI, Calgary AB, Ottawa ON
Link
Loop Energy
Private Sector
Burnaby, BC
Link
Ellio
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Clir Renewables
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Greengate Power
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
Ionomr Innovations
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Solar Alliance Energy
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Solaires Enterprises
Private Sector
Langford, BC
Link
Ivys Adsorption
Private Sector
Blainville, Québec & Woodbridge, ON
Link
Greenlane Renewables
Private Sector
Burnaby, BC
Link
The Transition Accelerator
Private Sector
Canada
Link
Coop Carbone
Private Sector
Quebec City & Montreal, QC
Link
Potentia Renewables Inc
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Quebec Net Positif
Private Sector
Amherst, QC
Link
Eavor Technologies
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
KPM Power
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
EfficiencyOne/ Efficiency Nova Scotia
Private Sector
Dartmouth, NS
Link
Changing Habits Solutions Inc.
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Quintus
Private Sector
Global
Link
Novisto inc.
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Bleu forêt
Private Sector
France based
Link
Optel
Private Sector
Quebec City, QC
Link
Maillon Vert
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
EXRO Technologies
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
Pond Technologies
Private Sector
Markham, ON
Link
CHAR Technologies Ltd
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Hatch
Private Sector
Nationwide
Link
Spark Power Corp
Private Sector
Oakville, ON
Link
ALTE Coop
Private Sector
Montreal & Estrie, QC
Link
AET Group Inc
Private Sector
Kitchener, ON
Link
Brainbox AI
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
AI Shading
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
Tantalus
Private Sector
Burnaby, BC, Kanata, ON
Link
Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation
Private Sector
Ohsweken, ON
Link
BKR Energy
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Summit Nanotech
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
TREC Renewables
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Biome Renewables
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Schneider Electric
Private Sector
Canada
Link
NRStor
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Renuwell
Private Sector
Alberta
Link
Ostrom Climate Solutions Inc (NatureBank)
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Heliolytics
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Barkley Project Group Ltd
Private Sector
Nanaimo, BC
Link
Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
Private Sector
Nationwide
Link
DUNSKY Energy Consulting
Private Sector
Montreal, QC, Vancouver, BC, Toronto, ON
Link
Enviro-Stewards Inc
Private Sector
Elmira, ON
Link
Summerhill Group
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
SAF+ Consortium
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Apex Capital Advisors Inc.
Private Sector
Markham, ON
Link
dcbel
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Career Development Resources
Leveraging LinkedIn
  • Explore Green Career Centre’s LinkedIn Maximization Guide
  • Read through Green Career Centre’s LinkedIn Sustainability Influencers to Follow articles from 2022 and 2023.  
  • We also recommend following us on LinkedIn, where we regularly share opportunities, resources, and news related to the clean economy.

Networking & Interview Prep

Job Search Resources
  • This report provides a helpful toolkit, case studies, and tips for BIPOC/BAME youth to develop self-knowledge, prepare for job hunting, increase their competence, build sustainability experience, and nurture well-being.
  • Visit Green Career Centre’s Job Application Tracker to manage your applications, update progress, and interview prep. 
  • Check out GoodWork's Job Search Tips & Resources for proactive strategies to find and land the right opportunity.
  • Many job search experts agree that most jobs belong to the hidden job market. To learn about navigating this, read Hidden Sustainability Jobs and Tapping the Hidden Job Market.