Technology for sustainable Canada already exists, but faces obstacles

By: Len Smirnov

Posted: 9/15/09

OTTAWA (CUP) - Canada has all the technology it needs to transform into a sustainable society, but faces numerous barriers to innovation and change, a new study says.
The Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa (UofO) outlined this argument in a project entitled "Making it Happen: The Transition to a Sustainable Society", which proposes management solutions to environmental sustainability. A report on the findings of the project
was released and presented to a group of academics, public and private sector representatives, and students on Sept. 3 at UofO.
"The technologies already exist. They're already in the market," explained André Potworowski, project director and adjunct professor at the Telfer School of Management. "The issue is not a scientific one, it's a management one - how to get technologies implemented in the environment [field]."
The year-long project involved a review of the literature written on sustainable development over the past 30 years, four workshops with experts and technical practitioners, and discussions with the project's advisory board, which consists of five representatives from the UofO, consulting firms, and various levels of government. A team of three MBA students from the UofO conducted follow-up research for the project.
The project, which focused on energy conservation in the residential sector, identified more than 100 barriers that prevent Canadian communities from deploying environmentally sustainable technologies. These include legal, regulatory, and financial barriers, as well as personal habits.
"There is much more to come in terms of technological innovation, but for some time what has been holding up an accelerated rate of progress [. . . ] has been a lack of innovation in areas, such as financing, logistics, and institutional innovation," said Ralph Torrie, member of the project's advisory board and managing director of Navigant Consulting, who does consulting about industry regulations in Toronto.
Project members recommended that the Government of Canada - a key sponsor of the study - and other levels of government take a leadership role in promoting sustainability.
"Many of these barriers can be removed through improved cooperation among governments and better ways of managing and promoting success," said Michael Kelly, dean of the Telfer School of Management, during the presentation of the report.
Three types of government leadership are outlined in the report: leadership by example, leadership by facilitation - providing tools and information for Canadians to become more sustainable - and leadership by direction. In this proposal, the government is encouraged to fix its internal operations while providing Canadians with information and setting regulations that
support the transition to a sustainable society.
Although the recommendations of the report are targeted at all levels of government, Torrie stated that private businesses and individuals can also learn from the findings. Thomas Green, project manager for Equilibrium Housing - an initiative mandated by the federal government
and a participant in the project discussions - praised the widespread relevance of the report.
"What's good about this report is that anyone can look at it and see the role they can play at home, in their business, in their work, and in their recreational activities," he said.
"As a student, you can ask for green products. You can negotiate the rate," said Anne Murray Choudhary, one of the graduate students involved in the project.
"You just put the pressure [on] wherever you can make these choices."
The report is available to the public and will be presented to various stakeholders, including the federal government.
Members of the sustainability project are optimistic that Canada can become fully sustainable by the year 2030 if the federal government is committed to following
the report's recommendations and taking a leadership stance on the issue.
"Change can happen if there's a will and motivation," said Potworowski. "There is more and more interest in climate change and what to do about it. Sustainability is the answer."
The UofO is already receiving praise for its own green initiatives.
"It's particularly gratifying to see the university [...] focusing on where the challenges face us now and [promoting] a more environmentally sustainable society," said Torrie. "The University of Ottawa has been a leader within the institutional community in building energy efficiency, so I'm not surprised that the payoff is there to be documented."
The full text of the report "Making it Happen: The Transition to a sustainable Society" can be found at makingithappen.ca.