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Canada and China Announce Low-Carbon Eco-District Demonstration Project
The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the development and implementation of the Sino-Canadian Low-Carbon Eco-District Demonstration Project. The MOU was signed between Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and China's Tianjin Binhai New Area following remarks delivered by Minister Rickford hosted by the Canada-China Business Council.
The MOU signed today reflects a growing interest around the world in Canadian wood and forest product expertise. Canada will initially contribute proficiency related to technology, construction and oversight by Canada Wood China - an organization funded by NRCan responsible for creating market opportunities for Canadian wood. The Chinese market for Canadian wood has grown dramatically from $104 million in 2004 to some $1.9 billion in 2013, enabling Canada to surpass Russia in becoming China's largest softwood lumber supplier.
With the signing of this MOU, Canada is advancing its position to benefit from China's growing demand for safe, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable housing, while creating jobs and opportunities for Canadians.
Today's announcement follows previous demonstration projects undertaken over the past few years, including two four-storey buildings in the Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA). By providing local demonstrations of energy efficient and clean energy technologies, as well as giving demonstrations of the versatility and many other desirable attributes of Canadian wood products, Canada expects to open the door to future business opportunities for Canada's industries.
Minister Rickford also highlighted the first-ever Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada, which underscores Canada's expertise in this area. Canadian knowledge and experience in building with wood offers an opportunity for builders everywhere to benefit from this expertise.
Quick Facts
?Canadian wood exports to China have grown dramatically, from $104 million in 2004 to some $1.9 billion in 2013, enabling Canada to surpass Russia in becoming China's largest softwood lumber supplier.
?Approximately 25 percent of British Columbia's softwood lumber production is now destined for China, helping sustain mill employment in Canada. In 2013, exports to China supported roughly 20 average-sized sawmills in B.C.
?40 percent of the world's certified forests grow in Canada, where approximately 153 million hectares are certified by one or more of three globally recognized certification systems as being sustainably managed.
?Less than 0.5 percent of Canada's forests are harvested annually to manufacture products for the domestic and international markets.
?For more than 20 years, NRCan has been collaborating with China on a number of clean energy technologies, such as the reduction of CO2 and other emissions from coal fired boilers, small hydro, carbon capture and storage, solar energy and Super E energy efficient homes.
?China's imports of clean technology from Canada tripled from 2001 to 2012, rising from $20 million to $63 million in nominal terms.
Quotes
"Our government's unprecedented investments in the Canadian forestry industry are helping dramatically increase opportunities for the Canadian wood products industry. Today's announcement demonstrates the positive economic and environmental results our cooperation with the provinces and industry are having at home and abroad."
Greg Rickford
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
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Backgrounder - Canada's forest and clean energy industries gain opportunities to showcase green housing solutions for China's growing population
Source: Hydroworld
Posted and edited by Hanbao News Department
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