The Council
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its members on the Net-Zero Council are dedicated to informing government climate policy by advancing business leadership on climate change and building a collaborative partnership between government and the private sector. The Council is a forum for corporations from all industries and operating across Canada that have made public declarations to achieve net-zero by 2050.
Building environmental and economical thinking together is how we can achieve net-zero and increase prosperity for Canadians while remaining competitive in the global market. The Council is committed to providing actionable recommendations policy on matters of carbon pricing regimes, enhancing climate resilience, clean technology adoption and offset market creation. How we get to a net-zero future matters. Canada’s business community is eager to lead the development of the net-zero framework to enable the greatest economic opportunity for the next generation
Policy Priorities
Achieving net-zero is one thing. A competitive transition is another. The economy and the environment should advance in lockstep. For Canada to remain competitive in key industries, such as resource development, transportation, technological innovation and manufacturing, a balance and collaborative approach is required from government.
Let’s make sure Canada’s approach to net-zero leverages Canada’s climate leadership and economic strengths.
Government must:
- Increase overall net-zero funding and do more to de-risk and address barriers to private sector investment.
- Design policy options to incentivize emission reductions in Canada’s international supply chains.
- Develop a detailed net-zero skills plan to unlock the opportunities that net-zero will bring.
In the absence of close collaboration with the business community, government has struggled to build net-zero pathways that are practical and affordable. Yet, innovation in the private sector will deliver both climate action and job creation.
Together, the government and the business community can advance a lower emission energy future that fully capitalizes on Canada’s opportunity to benefit from the export of Canadian energy and the introduction of clean technologies.
Government must:
- Work with the business community to provide a predictable business environment and a competitive environment for investment.
- Invest in business-led transitions and offset market development.
- Partner with Canada’s energy industry to define net-zero and identify solutions.
Canada’s transportation leaders are committed to achieving net-zero emissions.
Government must:
- Commit to clear policy directions and an agnostic policy framework that recognizes the benefits of electrification of transport in addition to the role biofuels, hydrogen and renewable natural gas can play in driving cost effective decarbonize of other vehicle classes.
Canadians can and should be proud of our natural resources. Canada’s resource sector — natural gas, oil, mining and forestry — can deliver low-emission energy and other products to meet global needs, while also developing new clean technologies that reduce emissions in Canada and abroad.
Government must:
- Develop a cohesive energy strategy that recognizes regional and provincial differences, focuses on leveraging domestic energy resources, and upholds global leadership in clean energy innovation.
Co-Chairs
Jeff Lawson
Senior Vice-President, Corporate Development
Cenovus
Sebastien Mousseau
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer,
Engineering Services, Canada
AtkinsRéalis
For more information on the Net-Zero Council, please contact Bryan Detchou, Senior Director, Natural Resources, Environment & Sustainability.
Updates
OP-ED: Without mandatory green procurement standards, the cheap choice will always top the green choice, The Hill Times. Read more.
OP-ED: There is no net zero without nuclear energy, The Hill Times. Read more.
Video: Canadian Chamber of Commerce Appears Before Standing Committee on Natural Resources. Watch video.
Report: Ready to Compete – Driving Net-Zero Success: Collaboration for Regional Prosperity in Canada’s Economy. Read more.
Report: How We Get There Matters: Establishing a Path to Net-Zero in Canada. Read more.
Members
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