2007

July

The Specified Gas Emitters Regulation, under the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act in Alberta, is established to provide a comprehensive framework for managing greenhouse gas emissions by large emitters in the province.

2009

February

The Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation is established as a not-for-profit organization with a mandate to establish or participate in funding for initiatives that reduce emissions by investing in discovery, development, and operational deployment of clean technologies.

May

Eric Newell is named the CCEMC’s inaugural Chair, appointed by the Government of Alberta. Newell brought a wide skill set to the position, thanks to a 35-year career in the private sector and his tenure as Chancellor of the University of Alberta and Chair and CEO of Syncrude Canada.

“This is the real prize here, reducing emissions, reducing the cost of the technologies and seeing the businesses behind them grow and prosper.”

CCEMC Chair, Eric Newell

JULY

The CCEMC’s Board is named, including representatives from industry, academia, municipalities and the public at large.

August

CCEMC issued its first Expression of Interest document; 223 submissions are received representing a total funding request of more than $1.6 billion. CCEMC invited full proposals from 30 organizations for a total of up to $120 million in funding.

2010

MAY

Conference Board of Canada Report indicates that the CCEMC’s technology fund will make a meaningful contribution to Alberta’s environment and create jobs.

June

Funding announcement – CCEMC announces 16 ground-breaking projects that will receive a total of more than $71 million in funding. These projects span four key areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency, cleaner energy production, and carbon capture and storage. The 16 projects ranged from a one-person business operating out of a garage to corporations with university partnerships and consortiums.

AUGUST

CCEMC established an inventory of key knowledge networks within North America to help expand climate change knowledge and support technology advancement. CCEMC formed working relationships with four “super networks”: the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”), National Energy Technology Laboratory, Joint Institute of Strategic Energy Analysis (led by NREL) and CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada.

DECEMBER

CCEMC brought together approximately 45 of Canada’s leading climate change thinkers to discuss Canada’s biological management needs. CCEMC commissioned a comprehensive report to identify what the GHG reduction potential could be and where the opportunities for improvement are. A conceptual biological program was also developed and approved to proceed.

2011

February

Six industrial energy-efficiency projects valued at more than $161 million received $27.2 million from CCEMC, including projects that capture waste heat and turn it into electricity, a state-of-the-art “seven effect” evaporator plant — the first in Canada, installation of air/fuel ratio controllers and vent capture systems at gas compression facilities, and more.

May

CCEMC hosts the GHG Reduction Summit in Edmonton, bringing together an audience of 200 from industry, policy and research and development fields to discuss opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

June

Funding announcement – CCEMC commits $27 million to fund six renewable energy projects, matching Alberta’s growing demand for electricity with a supply drawn from the province’s vast renewable energy resources. The investment included funds for projects that transformed organic waste into energy and products that are safe and valuable, unconventional hydropower, the world’s largest commercial fast pyrolysis plant, and more.

2012

MAY

CCEMC announces $8.4 million in funding to reduce emissions through biological sources, Alberta Innovates – Bio Solutions is named as partner. In the same month, another $7 million is announced for three adaptation projects.

October

Funding announcement – $6 million is invested in 13 clean tech projects worth $34 million led by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The projects will advance carbon capture and storage efforts, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce emissions from fossil fuels.

“Great ideas can come from anywhere. Small and medium enterprises are incredible sources of creative ideas that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrate that clean technology is an increasingly important element of our economy”

CCEMC Chair, Eric Newell.

2013

OCTOBER

Funding announcement – CCEMC provided more than $46 million to eight renewable energy projects that have a combined value of nearly $690 million. The corporation received 99 submissions, mostly from North America, but also from Europe, Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East. The projects range from on-farm waste to energy projects to solar power demonstration projects.

NOVEMBER

Funding announcement – CCEMC committed nearly $10 million for four new projects that will improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. They were selected to reduce emissions at facilities and also build broader awareness and spur adoption of energy-saving technologies.

November

Funding announcement – $35 million for Grand Challenge: Innovative Carbon Uses; an international, three round innovation competition over five years seeking to create new products and markets based on the utilization and conversion of carbon dioxide.

“The CCEMC Grand Challenge will foster the innovation and collaboration required to accelerate the development of these critical technologies and help Alberta and the world to reduce GHG emissions.”

Paul Clark, Chair of the CCEMC Grand Challenge Steering Committee.

2014

April

Funding announcement – $12 million for 24 projects in Round 1 of the Grand Challenge: Innovative Carbon Uses. Finalists were selected from 344 submissions, from 37 countries, on six continents and received $500,000 to help develop their technologies.

CCEMC also funded nine biological projects and three clean energy production projects that demonstrated innovative initiatives in their respective fields.

April

CCEMC and the City of Edmonton host international leaders and innovators at ZERO2014: A conference for a low carbon future. The conference celebrated the 24 Round One Grand Challenge winners from around the world, and functioned as a forum to showcase the proposed technologies to Alberta’s innovation ecosystem consisting of venture capitalists and other Alberta-based organizations dedicated to advancing technological development in clean energy innovation.

May

Kathy Sendall was named Chair of CCEMC Board of Directors. Sendall worked for 30 years at Petro-Canada, retiring in 2009 as senior vice president responsible for the natural gas business unit.

2016

October

CCEMC rebrands to Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) to make it clear that the organization is a key partner in addressing Alberta’s climate leadership priorities with a commitment to delivering real solutions that provide definitive change.

2017

February

ERA initiates its Partnership Intake Program Pilot to fund innovative GHG-reducing projects brought forward by our trusted funding partners in the system. Trusted partners have rigorous, fair and transparent due diligence processes that are comparable to ERA’s, and are seeking similar strategic outcomes.

March

Steve MacDonald named Chief Executive Officer for ERA. MacDonald held the post of ERA’s Interim CEO for just over a year and accepted the permanent role with the organization following a national search process led by an external recruitment firm. Previously, he had an extensive career in the Alberta Public Service, holding executive positions in various ministries.

“Steve MacDonald has a wealth of executive leadership experience and strong relationships with government, industry, and Alberta’s innovation system.”

ERA Chair Kathleen Sendall.

March

Funding announcement – $12 million for 4 projects in Round 2 of the Grand Challenge: Innovative Carbon Uses. Each Round Two project received up to $3 million to accelerate their technologies over two years. All but one new entrant, CarbonCure Technologies, progressed from the first round of the international competition.

“We searched the world for the best solutions for Alberta to move carbon dioxide from a waste stream to an asset, and in the process, we are attracting new companies and new ideas to the province.”

ERA CEO Steve MacDonald.

July

Funding announcement – $29.5 million in 12 clean tech projects worth $89 million through the Methane Challenge. The projects target methane emissions monitoring, detection and reduction in the oil and gas, power generation, agriculture, and forestry sectors.

“Through the support of ERA, the proceeds from industrial large emitters are being reinvested to accelerate progress in emissions reductions in the oil and natural gas industry.”

Joy Romero, Vice President, Technology and Innovation at Canadian Natural Resources Limited.

November

Funding announcement – ERA, Alberta Innovates, and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) co-fund $22.8 million for 11 projects led by SMEs. Projects focused on innovative clean energy and water technologies.

November

ERA co-hosts SPARK 2017 with Alberta Innovates for over 400 attendees. Programming includes a technology showcase, networking opportunities, plenary and breakout sessions, and access to organizations that offer supports to innovators and researchers.

“SPARK is more than just a networking opportunity. It’s a showcase for what’s working—and a place to have conversations about what we can do better. It’s also a venue to learn about new technologies and ideas to help take them closer to commercialization.”

Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates

2018

January

Carbon Competitiveness Incentive Regulation (CCIR) replaces SGER.

May

Funding announcement – Over $70 million for 9 projects valued at over $720 million was committed through the Oil Sands Innovation Challenge to reduce GHG emissions and increase the global competitiveness of Alberta’s oil sands industry. Technology solutions were related to in situ or mined oil sands operations, including both new developments and retrofit opportunities for existing operations.

“We challenged applicants to bring forward projects that would cut carbon and cut costs. This was a breakthrough and the major oil sands players involved in every project will deliver real action. Imagine no more tailings ponds or the elimination of steam in the extraction process. These are game-changers.”

ERA CEO Steve MacDonald

August

Dave Collyer appointed Board Chair of ERA. Collyer has nearly 40 years of experience, serving as president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, president and country chair for Shell in Canada, and co-chair of the Oil Sands Advisory Group that helped inform Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan.

“We have a great opportunity in Alberta to provide leadership in the transition to a low carbon future, and ERA plays a key role in driving transformative technology innovation.”

David Collyer, Board Chair, ERA

2019

February

Funding announcement – ERA announces $70 million in 11 projects worth over $265 million through the Industrial Efficiency Challenge. The Challenge was an open call to Large Final Emitter (LFE) industrial facilities—Alberta’s most energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries—to implement new technologies that reduce emissions and operating costs. Using low carbon fuels to make cement and recovering heat from a refinery to generate electricity are just two examples of promising new technologies that will get a funding.

This is a great example of government and industry working together to drive innovation and help explore solutions to the challenges facing our industry, to the benefit of all Albertans.”

Khoa Dao, Vice President, Asset Development and Commercial, ConocoPhillips Canada

February

Funding announcement – ERA announces the first projects funded through the Partnership Intake Program. Three projects were granted over $12 million in funding, including a first-of-its-kind, wheat-based, biofuels facility; a novel approach to reclaiming mine sites; and an approach to tailings pond remediation.

March

Funding announcement – ERA commits $100 million in 17 projects worth $600 million to biotechnology, electricity, and sustainable transportation projects through the BEST Challenge. These projects will reduce operating costs, the cost of energy, and create new economic opportunities.

“Alberta is in the transportation fuel business, and that business is changing. This initiative is primarily about moving freight on Alberta’s highways with zero emissions, but it is also about the future of the Alberta economy.”

Chris Nash, President, Alberta Motor Transport Association

October

Funding announcement – $10 million for 2 projects in Round 3 of the Grand Challenge: Innovative Carbon Uses including technologies that turn waste products from oil and gas operations into valuable chemicals and introduce captured CO₂ into fresh concrete to reduce its carbon footprint.

“Winning the Grand Challenge will help us create global solutions that provide reductions in greenhouse gases, freshwater and solid waste; enhance workforce skills transfer and innovations in Alberta; and position Alberta as a global leader in the circular economy.”

Rob Niven, Founder and CEO, CarbonCure Technologies

October

ERA hosts SPARK 2019: Carbon Positive convening some of the world’s best clean technology innovators and investors who want to reimagine carbon, including a line-up of more than 80 speakers and panelists.

2020

January

Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Regulation (TIER) replaces CCIR.

July

Funding announcement – ERA commits $58.4 million for 20 projects worth over $155 million to improve the cost competitiveness and reduce GHG emissions from Alberta’s natural gas sector.

“ERA funding is critical to the transformative jump from pilot to market-ready innovation. This allows us to move quickly from lab to market entry in Canada. With ERA’s funding and partners, together, we can make a substantial near-term difference in global decarbonization.”

Kathleen O’Neil, CEO, Standing Wave Reformers, Inc.

September

ERA becomes the first sub-national member of an international funding initiative called Accelerating CCS Technology (ACT). This multi-national funding program, initiated in 2015, accelerates and matures CCUS technologies from around the globe.

2021

February

Funding announcement – New $55 million Energy Savings for Business Program opens up applications for projects that create skilled jobs, boost investment, and reduce emissions in small- and medium-sized industrial and commercial facilities.

“Businesses and non-profit organizations are actively looking for cost-effective ways to use less energy to perform the same task. ERA’s Energy Savings for Business Program is what Alberta needs right now. The program will develop a sustained, market-driven, and robust emissions reduction solution for SMEs across the province.”

Afure Onekpe, Director, MICONE Consulting Inc

April

Funding announcement – ERA invests $33 million in 17 projects worth $107 million through the Food, Farming, and Forestry Challenge to advance technology innovations in Alberta’s agriculture, agri-food, and forestry sectors.

“By enabling investment in novel technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence, ERA will help us to make higher-value products that better meet the needs of international customers, and to keep pushing the boundaries of technological advancement in Alberta.”

David Anderson, President and CEO, Millar Western

November

Funding announcement – More than $175 million is committed to 16 projects worth more than $2 billion in public and private funding through the Shovel Ready Challenge. Funding will accelerate Alberta’s economic recovery while supporting environmental sustainability. This is the largest funding announcement ever made through ERA.

“Government of Alberta and ERA funding provides a foundation for us to advance an introduction of zero emission hydrogen-fueled buses in real world conditions—operating in regular service through all seasons. Combined with the efforts of the transport industry, it is an early step to building a full value chain for hydrogen in an area where a cost-effective, low carbon supply is readily available.”

Stephanie McCabe, Deputy City Manager of Urban Planning & Economy, City of Edmonton

December

Funding announcement – The Energy Savings for Business (ESB) program evolves to create opportunities for participants to propose technologies that are unique to their projects and that may not be included in the current program through the Expanded Technologies Pilot (ETP).

2022

January

ERA joins the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP), a transnational initiative for joint research, technological development, and innovation programming to pool funds and accelerate a broad variety of technologies and system solutions.

March

Funding announcement – $2 million for 4 projects worth almost $24 million through an international partnership with Accelerating CCS Technologies (ACT).

“The climate issue is something we need a global approach to. The knowledge that Alberta has in this space is highly acknowledged and serves our ambition to make CCUS a commercially viable climate mitigation technology.”

Ragnhild Rønneberg, Coordinator, ACT, Research Council of Norway

March

Funding announcement – The Energy Savings for Business (ESB) program evolves to support cleaner and more efficient technology upgrades for small- and medium-sized oil and gas producers through the Small Producers Energy Efficiency Deployment (SPEED) funding stream.

May

Justin Riemer named next Emissions Reduction Alberta CEO. Riemer brings more than 25 years of experience to ERA, including leadership roles at the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, and the Government of Canada. His most recent role has been as Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta Region of Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), where he played a key role in delivering unprecedented levels of relief and recovery programming to businesses and organizations impacted by COVID-19.

July

Funding announcement – Over $40 million for 11 CCUS-related technologies that could lead to over $20 billion in capital expenditures through the Carbon Capture Kickstart: Design and Engineering funding competition.

“Collaboration and support for Pathways Alliance’s ambitious carbon capture and storage project from governments and forward-thinking agencies such as Emissions Reduction Alberta is vital for helping Canada meet its climate goals. These efforts will help ensure our country is the world’s preferred supplier of responsibly produced energy.”

Kendall Dilling, President, Pathways Alliance

August

The 4th edition of ERA’s Technology Roadmap is published to guide the direction of its investments and ensure it advances the right mix of short-and long-term technologies. The TRM now focuses on cross-cutting technology areas of investment that can be adapted and deployed across numerous industrial operations.

2023

February

Funding announcement – $58 million for projects worth $528 million that reduce the impacts of material production, processing, and disposal through the Circular Economy Challenge. Producing high-quality fertilizer for farmers, recycling asphalt from roof shingles, sequestering carbon in concrete, and novel plastics recycling are some examples of the technology solutions receiving funding.

“Circularity in our economy will be integral to Alberta’s decarbonization efforts. This funding signals the government’s commitment to supporting innovative companies like Carbon Upcycling, as we collaborate with industry partners and look to achieve commercial-scale impact in the cement industry.”

Ryan Bourns, Business Development Partnerships Manager, Carbon Upcycling.

April

ERA and Alberta Innovates co-wrote and published a white paper titled Hydrogen as an Alberta Export Opportunity: Gap Analysis.

April

Funding announcement – $3 million for 3 projects worth almost $11 million through its international partnership with Accelerating CCS Technologies (ACT).

“We are grateful for the funding provided by the Government of Alberta through ERA. This project will help to mature and advance CCS technology not only in Alberta and the United States, but it will also provide significant contributions internationally as well. Repsol is eager to lead the project and continue to build our E&P low carbon portfolio.”

David Ramos, Director, Geological Low Carbon Solutions, Repsol

July

Funding announcement – Over $60 million to 14 projects worth more than $225 million through the Industrial Transformation Challenge. Producing battery materials for electric vehicles, transforming how cement is made and used, using geothermal to power forestry operations, electrifying industrial buildings, and creating a regenerative fertilizer are just some examples of the projects receiving funding.

“This funding from the Government of Alberta and Emissions Reduction Alberta enables CarbonIP’s technology to establish the province as a pioneer in supplying the North American battery supply chain with renewable critical mineral products.”

Dave Richardson, CEO, Carbon IP

September

Funding announcement – $7 million in funding for Cenovus Energy to conduct a preliminary, multi-year study on whether small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) can be safely, technically, and economically deployed in Alberta’s oil sands operations.

“This enabling study is a great example of the collaborative approach we’ll need to help us reach our ambition of net zero emissions from our operations by 2050. This study will help us understand if this possible solution is economical and technically viable.”

Rhona DelFrari, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Vice-President, Stakeholder Engagement, Cenovus Energy

October

Funding announcement – $40 million announced in support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working to develop transformative emissions reduction technologies.

“Small businesses have a big impact in Alberta. We’re helping our amazing makers, entrepreneurs, and creators lower emissions and create cutting-edge ideas for the future.”

Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas of Alberta

OCTOBER

ERA successfully won the bid to co-host GHGT-17 in Calgary, Alberta on October 20-24, 2024 with the International Energy Agency. This is a global conference that will attract over 1,500 presenters, delegates, and exhibitors from around the world.

November

Respected energy expert Kelly Ogle is appointed as the new Board Chair by the Government of Alberta. Ogle is a serial entrepreneur, scholar, and published author. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, Co-Managing Director of Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd., and an advisor for Grafton Asset Management.

“Alberta’s public agencies have a critical role in growing the province’s economy, creating jobs, and, in ERA’s case, reducing emissions. I am pleased to join a strong Board and team focused on achieving Alberta’s greenhouse gas reduction and clean technology and innovation goals.”

Kelly Ogle, Board Chair, ERA

2024

March

Funding announcement – Over $33 million to 13 projects valued at $88 million in public and private investment through the Reshaping Energy Systems funding call. These projects, valued at approximately $88 million in public and private investment, focus on technologies that will reduce emissions and contribute to a more flexible and sustainable energy grid in Alberta.

“Alberta’s tradition of energy innovation, combined with our advanced nuclear technology, offers a powerful solution to reducing emissions while increasing reliable baseload generation capacity and supporting the region’s key economic drivers.”

Benjamin Reinke, Vice President for Global Business Development, X-energy

April

Funding announcement – $34.5 million for 8 projects worth $162 million in public and private investment through the Accelerating Hydrogen Challenge, delivered in a coordinated effort with funding competition from Alberta Innovates’ Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, and focused on accelerating development of the hydrogen economy and the rapid acceleration of novel hydrogen technologies across the value chain.

July

Funding announcement – ERA commits over $44 million to 21 projects led by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Funded projects, worth a combined $162.7 million in public and private investment, include piloting an approach to monitor wildfire impacts and detect methane leaks from space, deploying a treatment method for oil sands process-affected water, a new technology to recycle plastics, a novel facility to remove contaminants from soil, advanced digital solutions for energy efficiency, demonstrating the effectiveness of AI-powered lighting in commercial greenhouses and vertical farms, and more.