The NLERF will invest in climate action in Canada while providing an option for primary fuel suppliers to meet their regulatory requirements.

On April 3, 2024 the Newfoundland and Labrador Emissions Reduction Fund (NLERF) was registered as an eligible compliance mechanism by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) under the Clean Fuels Regulations. Regulated primary fuel suppliers in Canada may choose to contribute up to 10% of their annual carbon intensity reduction requirements to emissions reduction funds like the NLERF.

The NLERF is operated by econext, an organization that has been working to grow the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador for over 30 years.

Contribute

If you are regulated under the CFR and are exploring your compliance options, connect with us to discuss the details of contributing and your eligibility to apply for program financing.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects are those that will achieve quantifiable GHG emission reductions in Canada within a 5-year period. Examples of such projects include, but are not limited to:

• Production of low-carbon / clean fuels
• Purchase or modification and installation of technologies that achieve or enable fuel-switching (e.g., renewable energy, low-carbon fuels);
• Energy efficiency retrofits for buildings;
• Public transit investments including fuel switching initiatives, the acquisition of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), and/or enabling infrastructure;
• Commercial fleet fuel switching initiatives, the acquisition of ZEVs, and/or enabling infrastructure;
• Enhancing carbon sinks (e.g., carbon sequestration in forests or soils);
• Purchase or modification and installation of negative emissions technologies (e.g., carbon capture); and
• A package of two or more the activities described above.

Project Financing

Applicants can request up to 100% of project costs from the NLERF, however projects that leverage other sources of financing will be viewed favourably. Project applicants will be required to make a cash contribution of 10% of total eligible project costs (in addition to eligible project costs) to cover program administration expenses. Project funding amounts will be determined by the contributions that the NLERF receives.

Apply

Details on funding calls, eligible applicants, timelines, etc. are dependent on the receipt of contributions to the NLERF. Revisit this website for updates.

Program Guidelines

More information on program contributions, eligibility criteria (projects, project costs, applicants, etc.), evaluation criteria, and processes can be found in the Program Guidelines which can be downloaded here.

Clean Fuels Regulations

The Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) are an important part of Canada’s climate plan to reduce emissions, accelerate the use of clean technologies and fuels, and support sustainable jobs in a diversified economy. Under the CFR, the gasoline and diesel Canadians use every day will become progressively cleaner over time and affordable alternatives will be increasingly available to consumers.

For more information on the CFR, visit ECCC’s website here.