IGNITE Atlantic is at the forefront of reducing the carbon footprint in Nova Scotia’s fishing industry through the newly established Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund. This funding will enable IGNITE to collaborate closely with the local fishing industry, focusing on electric vessel conversion. This initiative is part of a broader $6.5 million investment by the Government of Nova Scotia aimed at promoting clean technology and reducing emissions in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors over the next three years. The project was submitted by IGNITE to RBC Tech for Nature and RBC generously committed to partially fund the project.

The project aims to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the fishing communities in Digby and Sheet Harbour. By focusing on marine electrification, the initiative will not only reduce emissions but also foster skill development, create commercial value, and promote a sense of shared responsibility for the positive impact on the electrical grid. The project’s outcomes will serve as a template for other coastal communities in Nova Scotia, helping them progress toward a net-zero future.