Impact
With over two decades of leadership in shaping Canada’s clean fuel regulatory and fiscal policies, the Waterfall team brings unmatched expertise in advancing the production and use of clean fuels nationwide.
Economic Benefits of Clean Fuels
At Waterfall, we are committed to accelerating Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy by fostering partnerships between industry and government. Our mission is to drive sustainable growth and innovation in clean fuels, ensuring the long-term prosperity of both the environment and the economy.
Waterfall works closely with industry and governments to mobilize capital to invest in the expansion of clean fuels production capacity in Canada.
Since 2005, over $7 billion (CAD) has been invested in clean fuel production facilities, clean fuel feedstocks (including biocrude), and clean fuel technology innovations.
By 2030, the sector will support over 35,000 well paid, clean energy sector jobs from British Columbia to Newfoundland.
Governments have played a key role in partnering with capital markets to de-risk policy and market development risks; Waterfall has been at the forefront of fiscal policy formulation and decision-making for the following key programs, among others.
GHG Reductions
As a result of federal and provincial actions to regulate clean fuels use, Canada has avoided over 75 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions since 2010. Further, clean fuel demand will increase to 2030, with stringency increases built into the federal Clean Fuel Regulations and fuel regulations in British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec.
Environmental, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) policies by governments and corporations in Canada are reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions from transportation fuel use beyond the levels established by fuel regulations.
Clean fuels are an essential part of a net-zero clean energy future by 2050. By 2050, the International Energy Agency estimates that global fuel systems require 20 to 30% of the transport sector fuels to be powered by clean fuels. Clean fuels complement the emissions reductions from electric transport, with comparable (or better) greenhouse gas reductions and affordable fuel options for ‘hard to decarbonize’ platforms, such as long-haul trucking, aviation, marine, and rail.
+ Clean Fuels Eliminate Greenhouse Gasses
Regulatory Impact
Since 2005, Waterfall has directly contributed to the development of federal and provincial climate, energy, and economic development policies. These policies have been the catalyst for the development and implementation of federal and provincial regulations requiring the use of low carbon alternative fuels to gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Over 2008 to 2024, we helped initiate and lead two rounds of federal clean fuels regulation and nine rounds of provincial regulations in six provinces.
Sector alignment
Globally – and in Canada – clean fuels are transforming the transportation fuel sector. Transforming energy systems is a massive undertaking, requiring dedicated efforts, enormous amounts of risk capital, and rigorous data and analysis. Development and expansion of clean fuel markets has taken the focused efforts of a broad range of industry, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders.
Canada’s clean fuels market has created new opportunities for growth and value-added investments in agriculture, forestry, fuel refining, innovation and research. Waterfall works with industry associations to support their evaluation of policy options, participate in regulatory and fiscal policy consultations, and build internal capacity to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
In addition to the traditional on-road and off-road fuel markets, clean fuels use is rapidly expanding in other transportation sectors, such as aviation, marine, and rail. Waterfall has conducted multiple studies on these key sectors, providing detailed evaluations and insights on the adoption and use of clean fuels within emerging markets.
Our Work
Waterfall has been at the centre of the Canadian clean fuels sector since 2005. Waterfall’s principals founded Canadian Bioenergy Corporation, a biofuel supply and distribution company that played a key role in developing Canadian biofuels markets and constructing Canada’s largest biodiesel facility. The Waterfall team’s hands-on experience – from the ground up – uniquely attune us to every aspect of the industry.
Pragmatism and collaboration have been at the heart of our success. While challenges are a constant, Canada’s clean fuels sector continues to deliver significant economic benefits and climate action results.