Create 160,000 jobs with 'green' stimulus: environmental group
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | 6:01 PM ET
CBC News
The latest group to throw in demands for the next federal budget suggests more than 160,000 jobs could be created with a "green" stimulus package.
Sustainable Prosperity, a think-tank of economic and environmental experts, calls for a $15-billion investment to create green jobs and help the environment.
The group says it makes good sense because it offers strong short-term economic returns and job creation.
"The economy of the future will reward companies that are energy efficient, low polluting and use natural capital wisely," the report says. "Canada presently lags behind most OECD countries in these areas. This stimulus package offers an unparalleled opportunity to retool the economy with cleaner technology and infrastructure — as other developed countries are doing."
The report suggests several options to help generate new funding for these measures. It says “green bonds” would allow Canadians to invest in clean development opportunities across the country. Another option would be a national carbon cap-and-trade system, with auctioning of emissions permits.
The report proposes a rating system to assess proposals based on their economic, environmental and implementation impacts.
Sustainable Prosperity describes itself as "a research-policy initiative aimed at building a healthy environment and economy by making markets work for the environment."
