Spotlight on Clean Growth

Cleantech Sustainability

Published on September 10, 2018

Minister Catherine McKenna / Minister - Environment and Climate Change Canada

Marcelo Lu / President - BASF Canada

Nicole Vadori / Head of Environment, Global Corporate Citizenship - TD Bank Group

Stewart Elgie / Founder & Executive Chair - Smart Prosperity

Achieving clean growth is crucial to Canada’s future economic success and sustainability, and to ensuring all Canadians continue to enjoy the quality of life we are blessed with. The reduction of carbon emissions and waste, and the maximization of resource use and cleantech opportunities are all vitally important to Canada’s environment and future economy.
This Spotlight explores the challenges Canada and its economy face in transitioning to a clean growth model, the opportunities this shift represents for our future economy, and the roles key stakeholders – citizens, business and governments – must play to succsefully drive Canada’s clean growth transition forward.

Key Takeaways & Calls to Action

The development of clean technology will be a critical part of Canada’s strategy to reduce emissions and environmental impacts, while stimulating economic growth in a sector predicted to grow significantly over the coming decades.
The transition to a clean growth economy will happen in three phases: first, resource and waste reduction, then emission neutralization, and lastly zero emissions.
Canada, with its natural resources, business ecosystem and knowledge base, is well placed to lead the world in clean growth innovation and the clean growth transition.
While the private sector and households will drive Canada’s clean growth transition, the government needs to create the right conditions to unleash their innovation.