Canada’s cleantech entrepreneurs are proving their power to take on today’s environmental challenges. Working in partnership with innovative companies, the Government of Canada is supporting the growth of a greener economy.
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, recently announced an investment of $20 million for GHGSat, of Montreal, Quebec, through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). This is the third SDTC investment in GHGSat and part of a long-standing collaboration that has helped the company become an international leader in its sector.
GHGSat will use this funding to expand its fleet of high-tech satellites that track greenhouse gas emissions from the Earth’s orbit. Its space-based system for greenhouse gas monitoring uses spectrometer imaging to obtain high-resolution images of methane emissions. This technology will provide critical information to take action in the fight against climate change.
“There couldn’t be a better time to invest in a greener, more sustainable future for all Canadians,” said Champagne. “Our investment in GHGSat today will boost Canada’s leadership in climate technology and help this outstanding Canadian company shine on the global stage. It is a true Canadian success story.”
GHGSat also plans to establish secure infrastructure to manage its growing constellation of satellites and transform its data into high-value information products and analytics. Using its microsatellites, GHGSat is the only entity in the world capable of detecting methane emissions from sources 100 times smaller than those detected by other satellites. Its technology can detect and quantify methane emissions from point sources as small as individual oil and gas wells.
“Reducing methane emissions is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to slow the rate of warming and fight climate change. That’s why this investment comes at such a critical time. This week at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), Canada joined a number of other countries in signing on to the Global Methane Pledge, while committing to a world-leading 75% reduction below 2012 levels in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 2030,” said Guilbeault.
“Canadian innovations, such as GHGSat’s trailblazing satellite technology, can help track emissions and keep us on course. This Montréal-based start-up shows how Canadian business leadership and innovation will help create new opportunities as we work together for a more sustainable future.”
The federal government is taking action to meet its 2030 climate commitments and to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
