What is CCEMC?

The CCEMC is a not-for-profit corporation that focuses on stimulating transformative change by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help alberta adapt to climate change. The ccemc supports alberta’s  2008 climate change strategy. The  strategy sets out the path to reduce emissions by 50% from business as usual projections with a reduction of 200 megatons of ghgs by 2050. The province’s strategy includes targets for ghg emission reductions linked to conservation and efficiency,  greening energy production, and carbon capture and storage.

How does CCEMC receive its funding?

Funding for CCEMC is collected from industry. Since 2007, Alberta facilities that annually produce more than 100,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions are legally required to reduce their greenhouse gas intensity by 12 percent relative to a historic baseline. One option for compliance is payment into the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund – $15 dollars for every ton over the reduction limit. The CCEMC receives grants every year from that fund.

What does CCEMC invest in?

51 clean tech projects so far through an RFP process where the CCEMC invites submissions. Plus the CCEMC has four biological projects through a program with Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions and three adaptation projects.

The CCEMC estimates that the 51 clean tech projects it has funded so far will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10.2 megatons by 2020. That’s roughly equivalent to removing about 2 million cars from the road.

Why is lowering GHG emissions important?

The world’s population is increasing and by all accounts, fossil fuels will continue to meet the bulk of the world’s energy demand for decades to come, even as more renewable energy comes online and as energy efficiency projects are implemented. Transformative technology is necessary to reduce GHG emissions when we have growing energy
demand.

What is CCEMC’S focal point?

The CCEMC invites submissions for funding twice a year and has supported diverse projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through carbon capture, energy efficiency, greening energy production, and renewable energy.

What is the CCEMC grand challenge?

The goal of the CCEMC Grand Challenge is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by fostering the development of technologies that create new carbon-based, value-added products and markets. Ultimate success in this Grand Challenge will result in technologies that can provide a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of one megaton annually – that’s roughly equivalent to removing 200,000 cars from the road.

The CCEMC received 344 applications from around the world for the first round of this international competition. Each eligible application was reviewed by one of six seven-person teams followed by a consensus meeting of technical adjudicators.

The first round of the CCEMC Grand Challenge is seeking to identify up to 20 semifinalists who will be awarded a grant of up to $500,000 to support development of their technologies. The first round winners will be announced April 15, 2014. The second round opens for submissions in March 2015.