Insights Why is clean transportation essential to Canada's continued growth?
Despite the nation's commitment to sustainability, the cold winters and hot summers are just two factors pushing up Canada's energy demands. Additionally, the vast distances that need to be covered make driving one of Canada's largest sources of carbon dioxide output. Vehicles are responsible for 27% of the country’s greenhouse gases. Of course, some of these vehicles are commuters and leisure drivers, but the biggest contributors are the long-haul trucks transporting goods across the country.
In order to meet its lofty climate goals, which are to produce 40 – 45% lower emissions than those recorded in 2005, Canada has a lot of work to do. Clean transportation will be essential to achieving these goals.
And it’s about more than just protecting the planet - greener practices are also important for the economy. Read ahead to learn more about why transport planners are focusing on clean transportation.
Clean growth - why clean transportation is the answer to building more sustainably
More than a quarter of Canada’s emissions come from transportation. Now that more than 73% of Canada’s 38 million population live in urban areas and cities, investing in shared transportation options and effective, reliable public transit has never been more crucial.
To continue the growth of its economy, Canada must keep moving goods and people across its vast landmass. There is simply no way that the country can meet its climate goals and encourage growth without focusing on clean transportation.
Governments across the country are now investing in infrastructure to make this happen, and businesses are following suit. Better highway projects, zero-emissions vehicles, and supportive policies will all speed up the transition to more sustainable transportation.
Cleantech and other innovations that are fuelling clean growth
Canada boasts a booming cleantech market that is set to get even bigger and better. Cleantech includes all kinds of products, processes, and innovations that negate the environmental impact. For more than twenty years, Canada’s cleantech industry has been growing at the same rate as the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). However, in 2019, it grew at twice the rate of the national economy.
Renewable energy is just one of the cleantech innovations fuelling clean growth in Canada and beyond. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels is a main priority around the world and is especially pressing in such a large country. There has been a rapid increase in solar, wind, geothermal, and wave energy R&D and implementation. This, of course, has also led to a massive uptick in electric vehicle sales, which surged more than 50% in the first quarter of 2022.
Finally, project managers and transport planners at AtkinsRéalis are working on circular built environments, which reduce the need for natural materials and prevent ‘urban sprawl.’ They are also streamlining their real estate holdings, thus reducing their carbon footprint and focusing on low-carbon construction.
Why clean construction is so important at AtkinsRéalis
At AtkinsRéalis , we’re proud to say we’re a global leader in clean transportation and a major employer of roadway engineers, bridge engineers, and traffic engineers. The AtkinsRéalis Group, which includes Atkins, Faithful+Gould, and Acuity, provides engineering, procurement, and construction services worldwide.
With our Engineering Net Zero strategy, colleagues at AtkinsRéalis are helping to build a better world – one that needs more transportation engineers like you. AtkinsRéalis is committed to diversity and inclusion in hiring and promotion, ensuring many opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, First Nations people, and LGBTQ colleagues.
If you’re ready to make a difference, browse transportation jobs with AtkinsRéalis , or sign up to the talent community today.
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