Research and innovation play a major role in shaping our economy and our physical environment by fostering social and economic development, creating jobs, and supporting our efforts to address climate change, clean energy and care for our precious natural resources. By recognizing our common priorities and leveraging our respective strengths and assets to guide policy and practice, the Pacific coastal region will realize its full potential as a global leader in research and innovation.

Enhanced collaboration amongst the region's research universities and institutions can lead to thriving networks of innovation, joint research and sharing results on next generation renewable energy technology, climate change, ocean science, health sciences and other areas of priority and interest. 

Regional Best Practices:

• British Columbia invested $94.5 million to create the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, which brings together climate change experts including climatologists, economists, chemists, modellers, ecologists, biologists, geologists and oceanographers to debvelop innovative climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions. British Columbia is also investing in the commercialization of alternative energy solutions such as bioenergy, geothermal, tidal, run-of-the-river, solar and wind power.
• The Canada California Strategic Innovation Partnership is a catalyst for collaborative Research, Development and Delivery (RD&D) between two innovation-intensive jurisdictions: California, one of the most dynamic innovation engines on earth; and Canada, a leading country in university research intensity.  
• The California Green Innovation Index (www.next10.org)  was designed to track key economic, energy and environmental indicators. The Index provides critical data on the impact of innovation on the state’s economic and environmental health as California moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels as mandated by the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). 
• Oregon’s 2009 Innovation Plan produced by the Oregon Innovation Council is a comprehensive portfolio that incorporates initiatives from across the state. Over the long term, all regions of the state will benefit from this.  
• Established in 1983, the Washington Technology Center helps companies develop and commercialize technology products and services in Washington State. They help build Washington’s economy by:
• Providing funding support and access to capital
• Facilitating research collaboration
• Offering business services support
• Providing access to laboratory facilities
• Investing in emerging industries
• The Washington Innovation Economy: A New Economic Strategy for Prosperity, is a strategy to help guide Washington as it develops a stronger, 21st century economy.