Environmental Services is a unique emerging industry.
Rapid industrialization within several emerging markets – plus population
increases and heightened public awareness of environmental dangers within
several developed nations – has made management of environmental hazards a
growing global industry.
The world market for environmental goods and services in 2003 was valued
at $740 billion, and is forecast to grow to almost $1 trillion by 2010,
representing an annual growth of 3%.
The global environmental services industry is therefore comparable in
size to the pharmaceutical and aerospace industries.
Developed regions such as Western Europe, Japan and North America account for
85% of world markets. While
these regions have lower growth rates of 1-3%,
higher growth rates are forecast for such areas as renewable energy,
waste management, and environmental consulting services.
In North America, the Environmental Services Industry contributes 1% ($96
Billion) of the US Annual Gross National Product.
The Canadian Environmental Industry earned $15.8 billion in 2002.
Waste services accounted for 72% of earnings, a 27% rise over 2000
earnings. The majority of Canadian
firms are small to medium-sized companies operating in a local provincial
context. Only 10% of Canadian
suppliers participate in international activities, primarily in the US, and
focus on environmental waste and remediation goods and services, and goods and
services related to water and air.
Environmental markets in developing countries such as Central and Eastern
Europe, Southeast Asia, China and Latin America will see higher growth rates
(6-10%), particularly in areas such as water and wastewater treatment, water
management, air pollution control and environmental monitoring and
instrumentation. Developing countries will also see increasing demand for other
environmental goods and services as their economies grow.
This will include cleaner technologies, renewable energy, contaminated
land remediation and environmental consultancy.
(Sources: Industry Canada,
Executive Summary, A Decade of Challenge Report, 2007 Update; Van Eck Global
Report, 2006) )