Research Reports

ERA prepares or participates in research and analysis that supports our mandate. These activities range from studies that identify the economic impact of ERA’s investments to reports that speak to the potential for GHG emissions reductions in specific sectors.

CCUS and Business Security

November 2023

The International CCS Knowledge Centre, with support from ERA, has released a new report titled CCUS and Business Certainty: Navigating policies, incentives, and credits for carbon capture and storage projects in Alberta. The report will help companies across heavy-emitting industries understand the key federal and provincial supports that are in place or proposed for CCUS in Alberta.

Scaling Innovation In Alberta’s Concrete Sector

The Cement Association of Canada and Emissions Reduction Alberta have partnered to present insights from scaling innovation in the concrete industry to meet net zero targets. This paper outlines the industry’s plan using real-world examples of technology deployment, alongside recommendations to policymakers, with a discussion on transferability to other sectors.

Analysing Alberta’s Hydrogen Export Opportunity

April 2023

Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and Alberta Innovates have co-written and published a white paper titled Hydrogen as an Alberta Export Opportunity: Gap Analysis. The paper is authored by Grace Meikle (Emissions Reduction Alberta), Murray Gray (Alberta Innovates), and Dave Van Den Assem (Alberta Innovates). Hydrogen as an Alberta Export Opportunity: Gap Analysis was published during the 2023 Canadian Hydrogen Convention in Edmonton.

Scaling Cleantech in Canada – GLOBE Advance 2020 Summary Report

November 2020

As part of the inaugural GLOBE Advance, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), GLOBE Series, The Delphi Group, together with session sponsors Carbon Management Canada (CMC), Foresight, and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), hosted Scaling Cleantech — What’s Next for Canada. This session built on previous discussions and progress in the Scaling Cleantech in Canada initiative, focusing on three topics: 1) The current state of Canadian cleantech and lessons learned to date; 2) Challenges in scaling companies and exporting technologies; and 3) Solutions to accelerate commercialization and impact.

2018 Cleantech Directions

November 2017

Cleantech Canada released its 2018 Cleantech Directions industry report at the SPARK 2017 innovation conference in Edmonton this week. The report includes insight from 470 businesses across Canada and a roundtable discussion of Alberta clean technology experts, and outlines key trends and market drivers spurring innovation growth.

Alberta Clean Technology Sector 2016: Ready for Liftoff

April 2017

ACTia (Alberta Clean Technology Industry Alliance) prepared this baseline study, with support from ERA and others, of Alberta’s entrepreneurs active in technology-driven business opportunities that can improve environmental and economic outcomes.

Alberta Adapts to a Changing Climate

March 31, 2016

Report summarizing outcomes of the Adaptation Leaders Round Table Forum held in Edmonton, January 20, 2016.

Biomass Innovation – Canada’s Leading Cleantech Opportunity for GHG Reduction and Economic Prosperity

February 28, 2016

This ERA and Alberta Innovates report identified the opportunities and benefits associated to deploy biomass resources to reduce GHG emissions.

Biomass Innovation – Canada’s Leading Cleantech Opportunity for GHG Reduction and Economic Prosperity

February 28, 2016

This ERA and Alberta Innovates report identified the opportunities and benefits associated to deploy biomass resources to reduce GHG emissions.

Biogas Market Study – Understanding the Alberta Anaerobic Digestion Landscape

October 13, 2015

TEC Edmonton prepared this market study to aid discussion about the progression of the biogas industry in Alberta with industry participants and government. The study focuses on anaerobic digestion, how it fits in the current regulatory framework, and economic barriers.

Investing in GHG Emissions-Reduction Technology: Assessing the Impact

March 31, 2015

The Conference Board of Canada released this report in February 2015. According to this analysis, investments in GHG emissions-reduction technology that were funded, in part, by ERA from 2011 to 2016 will contribute more than $2.4 billion (2007 $) and add 15,017 person-years of full-time-equivalent employment to the Canadian economy.

2029 CCS Potential in the Oilsands – Pembina Institute

September 15, 2014

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been recognized as an important tool in stabilizing atmospheric GHG concentrations. This document is an independent report prepared by the Pembina Institute exclusively as information for the Alberta Government, Alberta Innovates, Energy and Environmental Solutions, and ERA. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s).

Nutrient Stewardship

The Canadian Fertilizer Institute in partnership with Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions, and with financial support from ERA, developed this report to describe the Nutrient Stewardship project. This report outlines information on the process, challenges and opportunities for this project.

Gap Analysis of Biological Carbon Capture and Storage in Alberta

April 30, 2012

With the expansion of the oil and gas sector in Alberta, there is an opportunity to shape the intensity and ecological impact of the growth. This report, commissioned by Alberta Innovates Bio-Solutions, on behalf of ERA, provides an assessment of the priority gaps in biological carbon capture and storage opportunities in Alberta.

Material Switching in Alberta

March 16, 2012

Biomass material switching is the substitution of fossil fuel-based products with biomass and bio-based product alternatives, with the intention of obtaining environmental, social, and/or economic benefits. This report, prepared for Alberta Innovates Bio-Solutions on behalf of ERA, examines the material switching opportunities available for Alberta’s non-energy industries with the primary driver of reduced GHG emissions.

Gap and Opportunity Analysis for Advancing Meaningful Biological Greenhouse Gas Reductions

March 13, 2012

This report builds on previous work completed for ERA on biological greenhouse gas mitigation, specifically enhancing biological GHG mitigation in Canada and biological opportunities for Alberta. This report directs the potential possibilities for development of an investment roadmap on how to efficiently engage the biological sector in achieving meaningful greenhouse gas reductions.

GHG Reduction Summit Report

May 17, 2011

To cut GHG emissions to committed levels, technologies — both new and existing — will need to be developed and deployed on a vast scale. In order to spark the dialogue between industry leaders, technologists, policy-makers, financiers and other key stakeholders, ERA held an inaugural GHG Reduction Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. This report outlines the objectives and outcomes of the summit.

Enhancing Biological GHG Mitigation in Canada

December 29, 2010

This report commissioned by ERA explores the opportunity for significant emission reductions to be achieved from biological systems and management. This study applies common carbon accounting principles and identifies “constrained” or “achievable” mitigation potentials from biological management, covering a wide range of activities including carbon sequestration, GHG reductions, waste management, materials switching and strategic carbon management.

Data Reference Report

November 9, 2010

This report was generated for ERA with the purpose of listing the Knowledge Networks for each of the key Strategic Investment Areas. This document is a supplement to the report entitled Knowledge Networks – Enhancing Knowledge and Engagement.

The Economic and Employment Impacts of Climate-Related Technology Investments

May 30, 2010

This report examines the economic and employment impacts of climate-related technology investments in Canada. As spending on climate-related technology between 2010 and 2014 is expected to total $11.8 billion, primarily in Alberta, it is important to position these investments relative to other elements of climate action plans, especially since each province has different established emissions reduction targets and make use of a number of measures to achieve them.

Biological Networks Workshop Report

March 31, 2010

On December 15 and 16, 2010, 37 people representing a range of interests as knowledgeable leading thinkers in the climate change community in Canada attended a workshop in Toronto, ON. The workshop was intended to provide the foundation for the launch of a knowledge network on opportunities for  biological greenhouse gas (Bio-GHG) management.