A report from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce says that for a successful low carbon economy, businesses and industries need to be in on the conversations with governments.

CEO Steve McLellan says the transition is a chance for Saskatchewan to build the economy for the next generation and enhance resiliency.

He suggests that the federal funding can’t be on a per capita basis because of our unique situation.

The province produces energy-intense commodities and uses energy sources with relatively high greenhouse gas emissions.

Saskatchewan has the highest emissions per-capita in the country and is among the highest in the world, so transitioning will be difficult and expensive.

McLellan says the Saskatchewan business community, especially those whose products are exported, cannot develop a low carbon economy without government help.

That would include regulatory certainty, government support for strategic investments, research and development of new technologies, incentives to change behaviour, and workforce re-skilling.

(CJWW)