Creating Economic Prosperity & Environmental Sustainability
In April of 2007, Mayor Jerry Sanders announced the formation of a new Cleantech (Clean Technology) Initiative in an effort to promote the expansion, attraction and retention of businesses that develop products and technologies that provide environmentally sustainable solutions. Clean technologies enable a more valuable use of natural resources and reduce ecological impacts to the region.
About Clean Technology
Clean technology is an emerging sector of a range of products, services and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, reducing the depletion of natural resources and reducing or eliminating pollution and waste to create sustainable and secure energy sources. Clean technology encompasses advancements in solar power, wind power, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell technology, tidal and wave power, bio-diesel, green building materials and water treatment systems. Clean technology is becoming cost-competitive with traditional energy counterparts and offers promising economic development to a $156 billion market within 10 years, according to research by Clean Edge, Inc. According to a 2004 report by Environmental Entrepreneurs and the Natural Resources Defense Council, venture capital investments in California's clean technology industry through 2010 could seed 52,000 to 114,000 new jobs statewide. As the sixth largest investment category in the U.S. and Canada, clean technology holds the promise of new business opportunities, job creation, and technological innovation for San Diego.
Background
The Cleantech Initiative complements existing programs within the City while encouraging San Diego to become increasingly energy independent. The initiative seeks to develop an emerging cluster that will enhance the quality of life and reputation of San Diego. The San Diego region, already one of the world's premier centers for high-tech and biotech innovation, is poised to become a leader in clean technology research and development.
Efforts of the Initiative include promoting, fostering, and coordinating strategic alliances and collaboration among local, regional, state, and federal institutions to develop and
execute the City's clean technology business attraction strategy. Central to this policy is the creation of economic growth and environmental sustainability by sparking a clean technology cluster in San Diego drawing on entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, environmentalists, investors and others to promote innovative new businesses focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation and water management. Leveraging the City's strengths and opportunities, launching a clear-energy incentives fund, and acting as a liaison with various levels of green technology industry leaders, the City will work to create a vision for the emerging Cleantech sector.
Partners
The City's Economic Development Division is working in partnership with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the University of California, San Diego to develop a Cleantech cluster in the region. City staff and partners are working on a number of efforts to implement the Mayor's initiative, including commissioning a cluster analysis on the current industry and resources in the region, joining the board of a global Cleantech venture network and establishing a focus on Cleantech with the City's Science and Technology Commission.
The City and the EDC are planning to hold a series of Cleantech forums with industry, academia and government to focus on supporting this industry. The forums are designed to bring together interested parties to better understand the Cleantech community in San Diego and collectively foster its growth.
Over the last year, the Mayor has sent City representatives to a number partnership meetings with UCSD, which has developed a campus-wide Environment and Sustainability Initiative. By integrating the extensive expertise within the UC San Diego academic community, including Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with the support and commitment of the City of San Diego, the partners will create a regional Cleantech strategy.
The City is also connected to the Cleantech Venture Network, a global network of investors, companies and professional service providers. The network brings together the leading senior level decision makers who are driving Cleantech growth globally to learn, network and conduct business in support of Cleantech development.
Cluster Analysis (PDF: 1.3Mb)
As part of the cluster development, a preliminary cluster analysis of the current cleantech industry in the San Diego region was completed. Global CONNECT, a program of the University of California, San Diego, assessed the cluster of clean technology companies, investors and entrepreneurs and the environment in which they operate.
Outreach
The City of San Diego will be launching an awareness campaign to educate the public about San Diego's efforts to advance sustainability, generate interest in San Diego as an emerging clean technology center and encourage local businesses to tap into specialized business assistance programs and incentives.
A Cleantech advertising campaign (PDF: 243K), developed in partnership with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, will be expanded in 2008.
News
Links
Contact
For more information about the City's Cleantech Initiative, contact Program Manager Jacques Chirazi at cleantech@sandiego.gov or call (619) 236-6326.
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