Clayoquot Green Economic Opportunities Project
SECTION FOUR
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In achieving the designation of the Clayoquot Biosphere Region the Clayoquot communities defined their ideal future, a future that provides ecological, social and economic sustainability. The findings of this report set the stage for developing the economic component of this vision.
This report is a foundation piece that pulls together research and information relating to 13 sectors of opportunity that we believe could constitute the region's conservation economy.
The report addresses the following questions:
- What is the context for development in the region?
- What are the opportunities appropriate for development in the Biosphere Region?
- What are the challenges faced in pursuing these opportunities?
The region now has to decide if and how they chose to capitalize on these opportunities. This information can be used by individual businesses, sector-by-sector, community-by-community or by the Clayoquot Biosphere region as a whole. Economic planning is important at each of these levels. The Biosphere Reserve region does not have a plan for developing a conservation economy. We believe this is essential if the mission of sustainability in the region that the designation sets out is to be achieved.
Based on our findings elements of such a plan should include the following:
4.1 Establish incentives for greener business
There are a series of initiatives that could be undertaken to encourage existing businesses to improve their SCED practices, and encourage new green business start-ups and business recruitment. Some of these include:
- Design a marketing strategy and campaign (including a product and services label) that promotes the Biosphere region and its innovations in sustainability. This will encourage the kinds of businesses and visitors that will be a positive influence in the region.
- Establish criteria for a sustainable business venture and put in place financial and marketing incentives for business to meet these criteria.
- Reward business that achieve a predetermined standard of excellence.
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The Dana, Jordan Biosphere Reserve's slogan on all products (in recycled packaging) is:
'Waki Dana' - Helping nature, helping people
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4.2 - Reflect conservation economy objectives in community planning and decision-making
First Nations and municipal leaders are engaged in various processes of planning and budgeting. To advance the conservation economy these exercises must be deliberately evaluated through an SCED screen and SCED initiatives explicitly included in planning priorities and workplans. Priorities, including the allocation of human and financial resources, must be set accordingly.
- Further refine municipal five-year plans based on their relevance to these objectives.
- Prioritize green business development in Nuu-chah-nulth reserve expansion plans.
- Establish appropriate structures and resources (e.g. commissions, committees, Development Corporations, designated staff positions) to advance key components of the SCED agenda.
4.3 - Develop a tourism strategy for the Biosphere Region
Tourism benefits can only be maximized if the region has a management plan. At this time one does not exist for the Clayoquot Biosphere Region to manage this "resource".
- Develop a tourism plan that focuses on attracting the kinds of visitors and tourism activities that are appropriate for the Biosphere Region.
- Ensure Nuu-chah-nulth participation and leadership.
- Pursue provincial designation as a resort municipality (Tofino and possibly Ucluelet)
- Recognize and promote arts and culture as a valuable asset.
4.4 - Encourage value-added processing
It is well documented that the further along the chain of production that natural resources are utilized locally the greater the local benefits. The region is rich in natural resources (wood, non-timber forest products, shellfish and fish) but very little value-added activity is occurring at the present time.
- Develop incentives and support mechanisms (e.g. tax breaks, green promotions support) to encourage the reintroduction of this sector into the local economy.
- Recruit or create a shellfish processing facility in the region.
- Support and build on Clayoquot Sound Wildfoods as a mechanism for coordinating and developing value-added activity in the non-timber forest products (NTFP) sector
- Increase the local supply of wood fiber (e.g. through Iisaak, Interfor, Ucluelet community forest, new provincial forest reallocation program).
4.5 - Establish a research and education agenda
Thousands of dollars and many people come to the area to conduct research every year. To maximize the benefits from this activity the region needs to take charge of the process, develop its own priorities and assert these for research activity. Further ...
- The research agenda should include social, cultural, ecological and economic aspects, supporting the development of a conservation economy.
- Research activities in the region need to be coordinated and new research and education activities linked to existing community initiatives.
4.6 - Plan for the development of skills, relevant to the region's desire to achieve a 'green economy' in the local workforce
Economic success in the region will be dependent on people. To move the economy in a particular direction it will be important to understand the skills that are required and to ensure that these skills are developed in the local population.
- Complete a regional skills audit as the basis for designing relevant training programs (building on previous efforts).
- In collaboration with local training institutes, develop and implement a deliberate plan for building the kind of skills required for the new, green economy.
- Recruit youth interested in moving into key sectors and support their capacity development. Pay special attention to aboriginal youth and develop school programs that educate and involve youth in CED.
4.6 - Continue to assert rights to adjacent resources
Local control over local resources is critical to the long-term sustainability of coastal communities. The First Nations treaty process is one of the clearest ways to assert this principle and must be supported. Other initiatives that should be supported, both politically and programatically include:
- Pursue opportunities for community licensing (e.g. forests, salvage, fishing) through municipal and tribal governments as well as through the WCVI Regional Aquatic Management Board. The highest standards of resource management will need to apply as these opportunities are made available to local communities.
- Develop and implement, in partnership with First Nations, a strategy for NTFP management in the region.
4.8 - Encourage green construction and design
- Enact municipal and regional district bylaws that act as incentives for green building construction and alternate technology.
- Incorporate green design/construction and energy-saving alternative technology into plans for reserve expansion and new resort development.
- Work with existing businesses to encourage and provide incentives for 'greening up' their practices, landscapes and operations.
4.9 - Conduct a region-wide industrial waste audit
Several opportunities for business ventures based on the region's industrial waste streams have been identified. Realizing any of these opportunities requires that the region quantify its waste volumes and types as a first step.
- Ensure that the audit includes the Reserve communities and includes an analysis of how waste will be transported to re-use sites.
See also Part Two of this report for additional sector-specific recommendations.
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