Premier Christy Clark is touting clean harbours, clean technologies and clean energy after returning home from a recent Asian trade mission with business agreements worth $500 million.

Standing outside Canada Place on Wednesday, the premier announced the Lower Mainland would benefit significantly from new jobs related to B.C.'s tech and energy sectors thanks to deals with Japanese, Korean and Filipino companies. Meanwhile, Port Metro Vancouver executives said they're committed to keeping the city's harbours clean, as additional cargo passes through due to increased trade.

Duncan Wilson, the port's vice-president of corporate social responsibility, said he's working with competing harbours in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash. to reduce the regional carbon footprints of the seaports.

"The long-term sustainability of Port Metro Vancouver is vital and we need to demonstrate that commitment daily," he said, standing next to Clark at the press conference, before noting initiatives that aim to cut maritime diesel emissions and greenhouse gases, such as the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy.

Clark called the port the "heartbeat of our economy." She didn't allow a sudden downpour at the press conference to dampen her enthusiasm when announcing deals related to digital media, biotechnology and clean technology.

She highlighted Aquilini Renewable Energy's approval to build, operate and manage a $15-million waste-to-energy gasification plant in the Philippines, explaining "that is good clean B.C. energy technology at work."