The Hub will advance clean technologies for use in the natural resource sectors in Northern BC.
PRINCE GEORGE – British Columbia’s natural resource sectors are among the world’s best when it comes to environmental performance. As they seek to grow that advantage, businesses have been working with the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) to develop clean innovations.
However, due to limited capacity and equipment, UNBC has only been able to partially satisfy this demand. Some local firms have had to go outside the region to access the required services.
Government of Canada has announced support to UNBC to establish the Environmental Solutions Innovation Hub (CNW Group/Pacific Economic Development Canada)
Environmental Solutions Innovation Hub to be established
The Government of Canada announced funding of over $1.9 million to support the establishment of the Environmental Solutions Innovation Hub at UNBC.
This new hub will allow for the increased and expedited development and prototyping of new materials and technologies. This will help solve pressing environmental concerns in Northern BC in sectors such as water management, mining, forestry and bioenergy.
The hub will connect industries and communities needing sustainable and economically viable solutions with world-class research where solutions can be explored, developed and then commercialized.
This funding will allow the university to procure the advanced analytical instruments and personnel needed to meet the expanded scope of needed services. And the local natural resources industries will have greater support close to home, enhancing environmental performance of their operations.
Investing in clean technologies is a key priority for the Government of Canada. PacifiCan is committed to advancing the commercialization and adoption of clean technologies to increase the green advantage of the British Columbian economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.
” This investment at UNBC will help us not only meet the pressing needs of our region but will help us develop local solutions that can have a global impact as well. Environmental sustainability is at the core of our being at Canada’s Green University; supporting a variety of industries and stakeholders with sustainability-focused solutions that strengthen environmental leadership fits well with our commitment to the communities we are honoured to serve. I congratulate the many partners and members of the University community who collaborated in support of this initiative,” said Dr. Geoff Payne, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia.
