1. Defining the future energy system – A hybrid of old and new, the energy system will need to capitalize and build on existing sources of energy, interwoven with innovative solutions including electrification, clean hydrogen and renewables. An optimized mix combined with a central, national vision and action plan will help ease the transition and position us as leaders in sustainability for the future.
2. Improving public policy and regulatory frameworks – Having a national plan, with clear accountabilities and policies to ensure traction and forward progress and strategies to support capital allocation will be critical. Carbon levies, emissions caps and carbon offsetting capabilities can go a long way towards ensuring compliance and incentivizing progress.
3. Developing a funding mechanism – Investors have a way of unlocking potential. Public and private, blended financing and innovative ESG investment frameworks for energy transition enterprises will provide much-needed access to the capital needed to feed decarbonization agendas.
4. Educating and guiding consumer behaviour – According to EY’s Future Consumer Index Survey, 61% of Canadians say they will pay more attention to the environmental impact of purchases, and 69% expect companies to solve sustainability issues. Making consumers aware of their impact can help them to make better choices and apply pressure with their spending dollars.
5. Activating corporate participation – Organizations should be invited to continue contributing to decarbonization efforts internally. Increased capital allocation and the introduction of disclosure and reporting standards may help encourage organizations to adopt new technologies and be more accountable for their own impact.
Engaging diverse stakeholders and delivering on decarbonization targets will be near-impossible without three key enablers. Technology and innovation, while not solutions to the energy transition, will be critical tools and early and proactive investment in new and creative tools and processes will enable efficiencies and expedite industry’s path to net-zero.
Having humans at the centre of change with transformative leadership and tangible value delivered to stakeholders each step along the way will help sustain progress. And partnering through collaboration and sponsorships like Pathways Alliance – Canada's oil sands producers working together to address climate change – will help build awareness, distribute knowledge, invite participation and perhaps most importantly, ensure resources are available to see change through.
Decarbonizing to avert climate crisis is a massive undertaking. While there are certainly gaps to overcome, Canada’s role in energy transition holds significant promise. Our work with disclosures and clean technologies have us off to a good start. We’ll need decisive action and the dedicated attention of government, industry, investors and citizens if we are to realize our decarbonization goals and move forward together for a more sustainable future.