Summary Evaluation of Canada's International Business Development Strategy for Clean Technology

About the Strategy

The 2017 IBD Strategy for Clean Technology was funded as part of a broader Strategy to Advance Clean Technology in Canada's Natural Resource Sectors, led by Natural Resources Canada. It was designed to encourage and support Canadian firms in their efforts to capitalize on growing opportunities in the global market for clean technology.

The Strategy is delivered by Global Affairs Canada's Trade Commissioner Service through the following three pillars:

1. Establishing a new Climate Finance Facilitation Team to help firms access business opportunities generated by global climate finance;
2. Increasing IBD support to Canadian clean technology firms;
3. Launching a domestic outreach campaign to educate clean technology firms on government support programs and services.

Key Findings

• The Government of Canada's IBD strategy for clean technology has contributed to an increasing number of Canadian clean technology companies accessing climate finance and successfully pursuing opportunities in the global clean technology market.
• The domestic outreach activities conducted as part of the Strategy have increased Canadian firms awareness of government IBD for clean technology support programs and services.
• An effort is required to increase awareness and understanding of climate finance in general and as a key pillar of this strategy throughout the TCS network.

Recommendations

Improve overall efficiency effectiveness of the Strategy by:

• Clarifying expectations for the Regional Trade Commissioner positions and better communicating their services to the broader TCS network.
• Ensuring that climate finance experience and knowledge is shared across the TCS as part of formal training.

Develop a plan to expand the impact of the Strategy, which should include:

• Undertaking a comprehensive review of the needs of firms, including women and other underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Leveraging the trade‑development nexus opportunities in climate finance.