Industrial companies are spearheading the fight against climate change

Jérémie Côté, Director of Hybrid and Industrial Energy, and Dave Olsthoorn, Engineer in Energy and Air Quality at BBA, reflected on various actions that manufacturers can take in each focus area of the report:

Implementing more structural changes

• Invest in energy efficiency.
• Switch to renewable energy.
• Incorporate clean technologies.
• Optimize supply chains.
• Foster a culture of innovation.

“We need to rethink our decision-making criteria,” says Dave Olsthoorn. “For instance, by establishing facilities near green energy sources or shortening transport distances, we can considerably reduce our GHG emissions, often without jeopardizing our operations.”

Developing new tools to manage the climate transition

• Systematically measure decarbonization projects.

“To begin a transition, you need to know where you are and where you want to go,” explains Jérémie Côté. There are numerous digital technologies that can support companies in this transition"

Raising carbon pricing and stepping up the use of eco-taxes

• Rely on a dedicated team to take advantage of available subsidies.
• Remember that carbon pricing finances new decarbonization projects!

Increasing adaptation efforts to make all areas of society and natural ecosystems more resilient

• Listen to Indigenous voices
• Preserve biodiversity
• Integrate climate change forecasts into project design.

Integrating equity across the board in climate policies

• Social and environmental acceptability.
• Ensure positive spin-offs and job opportunities for local communities.
• Make the most of local resources.

Speeding up societal engagement as a whole

• Impose transparency and set an example.
• Have environmental performance indicators (KPIs).
• Implement a compensation policy in line with environmental performance.
  

To read the report [French only]: https://www.quebec.ca/nouvelles/actualites/details/sixieme-avis-comite-consultatif-changements-climatiques-57235