Insights Why is clean transportation essential to Canada's continued growth?

Clean growth - why clean transportation is the answer to building more sustainably

More than a quarter of Canada’s emissions come from transportation. Now that more than 73% of Canada’s 38 million population live in urban areas and cities, investing in shared transportation options and effective, reliable public transit has never been more crucial.

To continue the growth of its economy, Canada must keep moving goods and people across its vast landmass. There is simply no way that the country can meet its climate goals and encourage growth without focusing on clean transportation.

Governments across the country are now investing in infrastructure to make this happen, and businesses are following suit. Better highway projects, zero-emissions vehicles, and supportive policies will all speed up the transition to more sustainable transportation.

Cleantech and other innovations that are fuelling clean growth

Canada boasts a booming cleantech market that is set to get even bigger and better. Cleantech includes all kinds of products, processes, and innovations that negate the environmental impact. For more than twenty years, Canada’s cleantech industry has been growing at the same rate as the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). However, in 2019, it grew at twice the rate of the national economy.

Renewable energy is just one of the cleantech innovations fuelling clean growth in Canada and beyond. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels is a main priority around the world and is especially pressing in such a large country. There has been a rapid increase in solar, wind, geothermal, and wave energy R&D and implementation. This, of course, has also led to a massive uptick in electric vehicle sales, which surged more than 50% in the first quarter of 2022.

Finally, project managers and transport planners at AtkinsRéalis are working on circular built environments, which reduce the need for natural materials and prevent ‘urban sprawl.’ They are also streamlining their real estate holdings, thus reducing their carbon footprint and focusing on low-carbon construction.

Why clean construction is so important at AtkinsRéalis

At AtkinsRéalis, we’re proud to say we’re a global leader in clean transportation and a major employer of roadway engineers, bridge engineers, and traffic engineers.

With our Engineering Net Zero strategy, colleagues at AtkinsRéalis are helping to build a better world – one that needs more transportation engineers like you. AtkinsRéalis is committed to diversity and inclusion in hiring and promotion, ensuring many opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, First Nations people, and LGBTQ colleagues.

If you’re ready to make a difference, browse transportation jobs with AtkinsRéalis, or sign up to the talent community today.