Industry Intelligence
Alberta's environmental industry has historically had its foundations in the thriving oil and gas industry. Today, the environmental sector includes almost 1,330 companies, employing 26,000 Albertans and generating more than $3.5 billion in revenues. The sector has a well-earned international reputation for excellence in water treatment, waste management and the development of climate change solutions.
Alberta's environmental industry is structured differently than the global environmental industry, with approximately 50% of companies involved with soil remediation, 20% with water treatment and 10% with air and climate change technologies.
| Alberta's Environment Sector - by the numbers. . . | |
| Number of Environmental Companies (2004): | 1,330 |
| Number of Albertans Employed (2004): | 26,000 |
| Annual Total Environmental Revenues (2006): | $3.5 billion |
Environmental solutions
Alberta’s environmental sector provides effective solutions to environmental needs. Some of these solutions include pollution prevention, conservation programs, soil and groundwater reclamation, water and wastewater treatment, air quality management, monitoring and analytical services, waste management, and emergency response.
Growth in the environmental sector
The environmental industry in Alberta has experienced substantial growth over the past decade resulting in a nearly 50% increase in employment over the past 10 years. A recent study estimated that the number of employees performing environmental activities within all companies (including environmental departments in large corporations) could potentially be in the range of 55,000 to 65,000.
Presentations – Government of Alberta
Alberta’s Oil & Gas Well Remediation Industry - RemTech Symposium, Banff, October 11-13, 2006 (24 slides)
Water Use in Alberta Oil Sands - Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC), Water Innovation in the Oil Patch Forum; Edmonton, May 29, 2007 (24 slides)
Presentations – Government of Canada
The Business of the Environment: An EDC Perspective - March 2004 (11 pages)
Courtesy of Export Development CanadaEnvironment Industry Survey Business Sector, 2002 - September 2002
Statistics CanadaEnvironmental Business Opportunities: Multilateral Development Banks and United Nations - March 2004 (16 pages)
Courtesy of Department of Foreign Affairs and International TradeProject Facilitation Support Through Canada's CDM and JI Office - March 2004 (14 pages)
Courtesy of Department of Foreign Affairs and International TradeShow Me The Money - March 2004 (41 pages)
Courtesy of Environment CanadaTrends and Opportunities for the Canadian Industry - March 2004 (11 pages)
Courtesy of Industry CanadaThe Voice of Canada's Environmental Sector - March 2004 (28 pages)
Courtesy of Nova Scotia Environmental Industry AssociationYour Source of Business Opportunities - March 2004 (25 pages)
Courtesy of Industry Canada, Canadian Commercial Corporation and SourceCan
Studies
- Environmental Products and Services Sector - State of the Industry 2005 (Available upon request)
- Roadmap Assessment Reports on Soil Remediation, Water Technologies and Climate Change Mitigation (Available upon request)
Resources
Statistics and Publications
Relevant information on Alberta’s economy and industrial sectors.
