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Protection of the environment and remediation of past mistakes have become a local and global necessity. However, they also represent business and export opportunities. While environmental assessment and protection are often viewed as barriers to development, such views are short-sighted. Ignoring the principles of sustainable development will place the burden on future generations to repair the damage. Environmentally sound practices and regulations should not be regarded as inconveniences, but as an integral part of all business and development activities. From the householder who participates in recycling programs to the manufacturer who installs pollution control equipment, environmental protection is everybody's business. New innovations and technologies not only make environmental practices easier but also yield economic benefits to business and industry who are "going green".
Appropriate solutions are well within our reach. The environmental industry is well equipped to provide advice and services to industry and government. In Newfoundland & Labrador, the environmental sector employs over 1600 people, contributes $100 million annually to the provincial economy and is experiencing an 8% growth rate. The environmental sector enables other industry sectors to conduct their business on a more competitive basis and in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), is a non-profit organization incorporated to promote ethical behaviour and high standards for companies that provide environmental products and services. NEIA’s mandate is to promote the growth and development of the environmental industry of Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA plays a key role in building a strong provincial industry by providing a single window for communication between the environmental industry, the public, government, other countries/markets, and industry groups, and represents the interests of the industry in policy making.
Using Newfoundland and Labrador as a base, NEIA companies export their skills and products to such diverse regions as South East Asia, China, Vietnam, South America, Iceland, Europe and other areas. Local companies, both small and large, have developed high standard skills and products and are competing in a tough global market. NEIA members are leaders among the more than 4,000 Canadian companies providing environmental products or services to meet today’s needs for environmentally responsible business practices and sustainable development. NEIA has promoted its member companies and organizations to the world, including attendance at many international conferences such as GLOBE 98 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Representatives have also visited Europe to increase relations according to the provinces Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with England, Ireland, and Scotland.
Including the 120 corporate members, NEIA’s membership consists of approximately 200 members including students, community service groups and government agencies. NEIA provides various services to meet the needs of companies, organizations, government, academia, students, and individuals. Membership in NEIA offers timely information on business, marketing, trade and export opportunities; support funding for approved projects; promotion and referral of member services at conferences, trade shows and conventions.
The environmental industry is prepared to participate in providing solutions. NEIA works to protect the environment and generate economic activity and employment. NEIA has partnering arrangements with both the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Department of Industry, Trade and Technology and works closely with Industry Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, the Department of Environment and Labour as well as numerous other local, national and international agencies.
New members include several community based environmental organizations. A major effort was placed on trade development and accessing support funding for 1999 activities. In addition, funding from the Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement (CEDA) program will support a program of core activities on a fee for service basis.
NEIA’s core information activities continued to expand including the weekly bulletin, "NEIA Notices", the quarterly newsletter, "The NEIA Network", market intelligence and topic specific e-mails and faxes. The NEIA web site continues to improve and expand and now includes posting of Department of Environment policy documents.
NEIA organized several events including a presentation on International Financial Institutions by Marie Stamp of the Office of Liaison with International Financial Institutions (OLIFI) branch of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, and a presentation by D.C. Amerasinghe of the Asian Development Bank. In cooperation with the Irish Business Partners Group, NEIA hosted a presentation by Connections Research, on opportunities in Ireland. During this event Industry Canada gave an overview of the "Strategis" web site that the Department developed to distribute trade information.
Late in 1998, NEIA accessed Human Resources Development Canada funding for its Youth International Project. Ten graduates have been placed with local and international companies.
NEIA contracted the services of the Water Technology Institute (WTI), Burlington, Ontario, to provide Contaminated Sites Health and Safety training series including a new course for managers and a course on sampling procedures. A workshop on Bioremediation in Cold Climates was conducted and a luncheon presentation made by DOEL, on harmonization of environmental regulations. A two day course on Risk Based Corrective Action was also organized and "sold out" in a matter of days.
NEIA assisted several organizations with conferences related to environmental issues and business. The Argentia Area Chamber of Commerce held their first conference and trade show (Industry, Community and the Environment) and NEIA developed the speaker program. In cooperation with the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters of Newfoundland (AME-NF) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technological Industries (NATI), NEIA provided members access to Human Resources Development Canada’s (HRDC) funded training and employment subsidies under the Professional Youth Experience (PYE) program.