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Clayoquot Green Economic Opportunities Project
PART THREE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
3.1 Sectoral Analysis of Opportunities
A total of 13 green industry sectors with potential for the Clayoquot Biosphere region have been identified. For each, a preliminary analysis of industry characteristics and trends (local and provincial), opportunities and barriers/challenges was undertaken. Finally, each sector was assessed according to the criteria of sustainable CED. This assessment is summarized below according to six key criteria: employment creation, wealth generation (profitability), investment required, opportunity and suitability for development in Nuu-chah-nulth communities, leadership in the region and ecological benefit.
These figures demonstrate that opportunities exist in each of the 13 sectors examined. Examination of job potential demonstrates that, with a commitment to SCED and concerted effort, more than 280 new jobs could be created in the green economy over the next five years. Over the longer term the potential is significantly higher. Already these sectors employ more than 500 residents.
Ed Note: The graph above illustrates the potential for new jobs created as a result of industry development in each of the sectors examined. The blue bars show current employment levels, red a projection of potential new jobs in the next 5 years and yellow the long term potential of new jobs in the sector.
In this graph each unit represents an estimated 10 jobs (e.g. blue bar shellfish shows 80 current jobs).
Shellfish aquaculture, new fisheries, cultural and ecotourism, research and education and the arts in particular offer short and long term job creation potential.
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Ed Note: Wealth creation refers to an estimate of the profit over expenses that can be returned to the community from activity in each sector. The scale does not suggest a dollar amount, but rather relative profitability.
The scale used is as follows:
Very High (low investment, high margins or high investment and very high revenue) - 10
High - 8
Moderate - 6
Low - 4
Very Low (break-even) - 2
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Ed Note: First Nations opportunity is intended as an assessment of the interest Nuu-chah-nulth communities have demonstrated in each of these sectors, their access to these opportunities and an assessment capacity assuming that, where needed, training can build required skills.
The scale 1-10 is used where
High (10) = Interest expressed by First Nations, appropriate given capacity assessment, resource access/potential under treaty
Low (1) = No interest expressed, no capacity to pursue
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Ed Note: The graph on the left shows the level of investment required in each sector for business start-up.
The scale assumes the following:
Very High (10)
Over $750,000
High (8)
$201 - $750,000
Moderate (6)
$51,000 - $250,000
Low (4)
$11,000 - $50,000
Very low (2)
$10,000 or less
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Ed Note: The scale used for the graph on the right to demonstrate ecological values assumes the following criteria:
Very High (10)= Makes significant positive contribution to the environment
High (8) = Improves efficiency of resource use
Moderate (6) = Raises awareness and appreciation of the environment but doesn't do anything directly to enhance or protect it
Low (4) = contributes by providing an alternative to environmentally harmful practices
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Ed Note: The leadership graph above describes an assessment of the 'people power' available in the region to champion the development of each sector. The scale used for this pictograph is based on the following:
High = people knowledgeable, enthusiastic and prepared to work on developing the sector, and organizing institutions in place
Low = No interest, identified leaders or institutions/organizations working in the field
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3.2 Sector Opportunity Summary
An analysis of the findings illustrated above shows the following sectoral opportunities, in order of priority, to be the best 'fit' with SCED criteria and also to have the highest potential chance of developmental success in the region: shellfish, arts and culture, value-added wood manufacturing and green products and services. Fisheries and green energy also ranked highly. While fisheries (and other resource sectors) face barriers related to government policy and green energy high levels of required investment the authors feel that over time these opportunities can also be realized. A successful SCED strategy will combine several of these sectors of opportunity with capacity building measures that address barriers to development in the region.
As demonstrated above, there is moderate to high interest and potential among the Nuu-chah-nulth communities in many of the green economy sectors. All also some show level of environmental benefit, particularly those that have a purpose tied directly to environmental conservation. Profitability is low for many while investment levels vary considerably. See Part Two: Sectoral Analysis for details on these opportunities.
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