On Saturday, January 26, we marked the International Day of Clean Energy. This day is a reminder of the role we all play in creating a sustainable future, declared by the United Nations “as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.”
Winnipeggers are no strangers to adverse weather conditions, but accelerating climate change has brought new extremes to the thermostat in 2024. We broke records with global average temperatures surpassing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We’ve witnessed devastating wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes.
It’s clear that the time for action is now.
Business owners understand risk better than most, but extreme weather events pose challenges that even the savviest entrepreneurs struggle to overcome. Over the past two decades, these events have cost the global economy an estimated $2.8 trillion, according to the World Economic Forum, which equates to a staggering $16.3 million per hour. Business, especially small- to medium-sized enterprises, will be directly and indirectly impacted by the effects of climate change, such as increasing seasonal temperatures, higher-frequency storms, flooding, and wildfires.
While these figures are daunting, they also reveal a tremendous window of opportunity. Manitoba is uniquely positioned to lead the way in sustainable growth. A whopping 99.9% of our electricity is derived from clean, renewable sources, and with access to 30 of the 34 critical minerals that are essential for clean energy technologies, we are equipped with the resources to build a greener future. What’s more, both the City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba have affirmed their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
These challenges underscore the urgency of action and collaboration, and the upcoming ECONx summit provides the perfect platform to address them.
One of ECONx’s key sessions, “Winnipeg as a Leader in Sustainable Growth,” will dive into how businesses can navigate these risks and transform sustainability into an advantage. Led by Tanis Ostermann, Principal & Founder of CanSustain, and featuring strategic partners like International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Efficiency Manitoba and Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA), this session will bring business leaders, policy makers, academia and sustainability experts together to explore:
How can governments, businesses, and communities work together to overcome the challenges of transitioning to green technologies to create a more sustainable and economically resilient Winnipeg?
“Despite some current headlines and political changes that suggest enthusiasm about sustainability has recently receded, the need for thinking about resilience and longevity in business and community has never been more relevant or urgent. Join us as we discuss some of the key factors and relationships that will help all of us withstand economic and social tides; the factors that will ensure sustainability.” Tanis Ostermann Principal & Founder of CanSustain
This is your opportunity to be part of the conversation and help shape the strategies that will position Winnipeg as a leader in Canada’s transition to a more environmentally and economically sustainable country. Canadian consumers are already prioritizing environmental impact in their purchasing decisions, international jurisdictions are prioritizing sustainability factors in trade regulation and multinational companies are demanding sustainability measurement and reporting of even their smallest suppliers. Businesses that act now will not only survive, but thrive in domestic and international markets.
Be a part of the solution and join us at ECONx on April 29, 2025 at RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Register for ECONx 2025: https://winnipeg-chamber.com/econx-2025/
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