> Key Target Industries > Environmental Products and Services Environmental Products and Services
The world market for environmental goods and services was valued at US $515 billion in 2000 and is forecast to increase to US $688 billion by 2010. In the last 10 years, the global markets for environmental goods and services have developed enormously (Source: Government of the United Kingdom). Building the business of environment has entered an explosive growth phase with the emergence of the global warming debate and other consciousness-raising issues increasingly a high priority in the public domain. In the convergence of consumer, industry, and government interests is vast market opportunity.Alberta's environmental industry includes 1,100 companies employing 26,000 and generating more than $3 billion in annual revenues. The sector has a well-earned international reputation for excellence in water treatment, waste management and the development of climate change solutions. Rapid growth in Alberta and CDN $137 billion in planned capital investment in the province provides significant investment potential for environmental solutions providers to meet water, wastewater and soil contamination challenges (Source: Government of Alberta).
The Town of Okotoks - with its multi-award winning Sustainable Okotoks initiative - positioned itself at the forefront of this trendline more than a decade ago. Other Foothills communities are steadily implementing initiatives. The Foothills Region aims to capitalize on its well-deserved reputation and on-the-ground initiatives, significant engineering talent in the Calgary Region, and the backdrop of geographic beauty, to focus on attracting manufacturing, consulting, engineering, and research and development in areas including water, waste, wastewater, recycling, energy efficiency, land remediation, and green building products.
